Hydro sells remaining Brandon coal
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 11/09/2021 (1600 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
More than 100,000 tonnes of coal stored at the Brandon Generating Station has been sold and is set to trickle out of the city over the next five years.
The 108,000 tonnes of coal, which was used to generate electricity in Brandon’s east end until 2018, was sold for a total of $9 million, said Manitoba Hydro spokesperson Bruce Owen.
It’s unclear where the coal will go, though, as Owen said he couldn’t reveal who bought the stockpile, citing “contractual” reasons. The new owner started removing it by truck in the spring.
The plant was used by the public utility until Aug. 1, 2018, when the Bipole III transmission line came online. The last coal generator in the province, known as Unit 5, became unnecessary for southern Manitoba’s energy security.
Two natural gas generators replaced the coal capability in 2002. The power plant is now used to help stabilize the power grid during times of heavy use, especially during colder months when more power is needed to heat buildings.
Other coal generators at the plant were taken offline between 1992 and 1996.
The remaining coal couldn’t be stored at the location off Victoria Avenue East indefinitely, Owen said.
“We were looking for a buyer and a buyer stepped forward,” he said.
“Without question, it could not be there indefinitely … we knew we had to do it, not only for environmental but for financial reasons. It couldn’t sit there, otherwise it would become more of a risk.”
Owen clarified there has been no groundwater contamination to date and Manitoba Hydro is monitoring the site. The risk grows, though, as the coal is left outside exposed to heavy snow and the elements, which would degrade it.
“We will continue to monitor for the foreseeable future,” Owen said.
The majority of electricity Manitoba Hydro generates is from 15 generating stations on rivers throughout the province, including the Nelson, Winnipeg, Saskatchewan, Burntwood and Laurie rivers.
Manitoba Hydro runs two thermal generating stations for diesel generating stations in remote areas of the province.
The province also buys wind power from independent wind farms in Manitoba.
Coal was last used at the Brandon Generating Station between 2009 and 2018 during major power outages or other emergencies.
Manitoba Hydro still owns the property and Owen said there were no immediate plans for the land the coal now sits on.
» dmay@brandonsun.com
» Twitter: @DrewMay_