The Genesee Mine operation, located in Leduc County, is a 50/50 joint venture between Capital Power LP and Prairie Mines & Royalty Limited. Operations at the Genesee Mine commenced in 1989, and supply coal at a rate of 5.5 million tonnes per year to three existing generating units.
The current mine permit area, within which the Genesee Operations are situated, consists of 28 sections (17,920 acres) of land, from which approximately 8 sections (5,120 acres) or 75 million tonnes of coal have been mined as of year end 2009.
The mine permit extension is needed to provide fuel to the existing Genesee Generating units for three primary reasons:
- Longer Unit Life
- Each Unit is expected to run at least 10 years longer than originally estimated when they were originally constructed
- Increased Availability to the Grid
- Due to better maintenance practices, the Units are producing power for longer periods of time than originally estimated;
- Online time is typically around 95 per cent which is higher than anticipated when the Units were constructed.
- Potential Increases in Power Capacity
- Capital Power (CPC) is exploring options to optimize the existing Units so they can produce more power.
Additionally, coal loss can occur due to unforeseen geographical conditions encountered in the field during mining. This means that less coal is available to mine than originally predicted.
Click here to view a pdf map of the proposed mine permit area extension.
Proposed Project Timeline
The chart below provides an estimated timeline for this project. This timeline is subject to change and development as the proposed project progresses.
Click here to view a pdf of the Mine Extension Timeline.
Public Consultation
Consultation efforts for this project are in the early stages. As additional project details become available, this site will be updated with addition information, including how stakeholders can provide input into this proposed project.
Consultation efforts for this project began in June when information was sent to landowners within the proposed permit area. Click here to view the information package.
A Special Edition Genesee Connection Newsletter was also mailed to local stakeholders and community members in late June.
Open houses will be held for this proposed project to present the results of the technical studies being completed.
Additional information and project updates will available in upcoming issues of the Genesee Connection Newsletter which can be found here.
To be added to the Genesee Station Connection Newsletter distribution list, please contact Capital Power Public Consultation at: 780-848-8474 or PublicConsultation@capitalpower.com