SaskPower and Hitachi to partner to construct $60 million carbon capture test facility

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SaskPower and Hitachi to partner to construct $60 million carbon capture test facility

Greentech Lead America: SaskPower and Hitachi will set up
a $60 million carbon capture test facility (CCTF) at SaskPower’s Shand Power
Station in southeastern Saskatchewan.

The CCTF will allow developers to evaluate performance of
their systems to capture carbon dioxide emissions from coal-fired thermal power
plants.

SaskPower and Hitachi will each contribute $30 million to
the CCTF, with SaskPower acting as owner/operator. Construction will start in
late 2012 or early 2013. Hitachi will supply their skilled process development
team, as well as core process equipment from their Saskatoon manufacturing
facility.

“This announcement is a double win for the province.
Providing a testing facility for these advanced technologies means Saskatchewan
will remain a world leader when it comes to carbon capture, and also supports
Hitachi’s substantial manufacturing capacity right here in Saskatchewan,”
said Rob Norris, Minister responsible for SaskPower.

Hitachi’s amine technology will be the first technology
tested at the CCTF. SaskPower expects to evaluate a number of current and
emerging carbon capture technologies over the life of the facility. The
facility will accommodate a range of test configurations, ensuring it remain a
viable facility for many years.

“Joining with Hitachi on the CCTF continues a
long-standing partnership that dates back to the 1970s. This project is
critical because it will help ensure that low-emission coal-fired generation
remains an integral part of SaskPower’s system for years to come,” said
Robert Watson, president and CEO, SaskPower.

SaskPower will also operate a commercial-scale power
plant with a fully-integrated carbon capture and storage operating system. The
$1.24 billion project to rebuild a coal-fired unit at the Boundary Dam Power
Station and equip it with an integrated carbon capture system will allow for
the generation of low-emission electricity and the capture of carbon dioxide
for oil extraction.

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