ESTEVAN - A 45-megawatt straw-and-waste, wood-fuelled biomass facilities is under pre-development in the Estevan area by LCE2 Energy.
A similar project has been announced for Clavet near Saskatoon.
According to a news release, the biomass facilities will utilize straw residue from cereal crop production and waste wood to generate heat and renewable electricity, providing a source of baseload power not generally provided by other renewable technologies.
The heat generated by the facilities will be available for use in industrial processes.
The projects are anticipated to reduce 58,500 tonnes of carbon dioxide-equivalent on an annual basis, which, according to the news release, would result in a greater than 98 per cent emissions avoidance when compared to the reported 2020 Saskatchewan energy mix.
Current federal regulations require all conventional coal-fired power stations to be closed by 2030. The projects help to ensure energy security for the province, contribute to the decarbonisation of the electricity grid, and also bring significant investment and new jobs to the province.
The proposed projects are expected to provide both construction and long-term economic opportunities to the Estevan area, including employment and training, local feedstock procurement, contracting and educational partnerships.
The feedstock used provides an additional revenue stream to farmers and existing industries, the press release said, because it does not compete for land use or food production. Ahead of the project, the developer will hold open house and community consultations to ensure the needs of residents and Indigenous groups are prioritised.
Open house invitations will be issued in the coming weeks within the local areas.
The developers gratefully acknowledge continued support and assistance from Saskatchewan Trade & Export Development, City of Estevan, Saskatoon Regional Economic Development Authority and numerous other organizations.
The next edition of the Mercury will have more on this story.
