The Genesee Generating Station is a coal-fired power plant. Units 1 and 2 have a total gross capacity of 820 MW, and are 100% owned and operated by Capital Power. Power is sold into the Alberta grid through a long-term Power Purchase Arrangement (PPA) with the Balancing Pool of Alberta. Both are baseload units, meaning they regularly run at or near full production capacity.
Genesee is located west of Edmonton near Warburg, Alberta. Genesee 2, which was the first Genesee unit to be completed, was commissioned in October 1989, with a capacity of 410 MW. Genesee 1 was commissioned in May 1994, using similar coal-fired steam turbine equipment and has an identical capacity of 410 MW. Both units have excellent operating histories, as measured by their high availabilities.
Mining and Reclamation
The facility is located on land owned by Capital Power and is ISO 14001 certified. Coal is supplied by the adjacent Genesee Mine, a 50/50 joint venture between Capital Power and Sherritt Coal.
A comprehensive mining and land reclamation plan has been developed to return the surrounding mined land back into agricultural production. In addition to land reclamation, other land use initiatives include land leasing, cattle grazing and environmental monitoring.
Environmental work to date at Genesee Coal Mine has returned 600 hectares of previously mined area into productive farmland and wildlife habitat. In February 2009, Capital Power and Sherritt Coal received the 2009 Alberta Chamber of Resources’ Major Reclamation Award for their efforts at the Genesee Mine.
Community Connections
The Genesee Generating Station is committed to fostering an atmosphere of openness and staying connected with our neighbours in the Genesee area, which includes the communities of Warburg, Breton and Thorsby. Capital Power continues to seek opportunities for open dialogue by participating in community events, meeting directly with area residents and through community advisory task groups. Capital Power also provides regular updates to our neighbours about our operations through the Genesee Connection newsletter. To learn more about community relations and consultation near Genesee, visit the consultation section.
Power Purchase Arrangement
Genesee 1 and 2 are subject to a PPA with the Alberta Balancing Pool, which is in effect until December 31, 2020. The Alberta government has a credit rating of AAA as determined by both S&P and DBRS.
Genesee 1 and 2 are core assets in Capital Power’s fleet. Their PPA ensures a base rate of return, with defined operating parameters that allow for incentives earned or penalties incurred by Capital Power. Genesee 1 and 2 provide Capital Power with long-term, contracted cash flows from a creditworthy counterparty. This, together with low fuel supply risks associated with operating Genesee 1 and 2, contributes to the overall financial stability of Capital Power’s portfolio of assets. Costs associated with compliance with changes in environmental regulation are passed through to the PPA holder under a change of law provision.
Capital Power believes the recoverable coal reserves contained in the Genesee Coal Mine to be sufficient to supply the estimated requirements for the Genesee facilities, as currently configured, for the next 40 years, which exceeds the remaining useful lives of the Genesee 1, 2 and 3 units.