The provincial government is welcoming two milestones in the transition of the Belledune Generating Station from coal to sustainably sourced advanced pellets.
The project is intended to support a more reliable, secure and sustainable electricity system while creating opportunities for northern New Brunswick.
The fuel needed to support future operation of the station will be sourced through established Canadian forestry and wood-processing supply chains and must meet recognized sustainability standards and applicable regulatory requirements.
Premier Susan Holt said the agreements mark an important step toward meeting federal coal-fired electricity requirements while maintaining reliable electricity for New Brunswickers.
"New Brunswick has what the world wants, and that includes the people, resources and expertise to build a cleaner energy future right here at home," said Holt. "Moving Belledune to renewable fuel means we can reduce emissions while supporting Canadian companies and creating opportunities for New Brunswick's forestry, transportation and other industries. It's about making the most of what we have here at home and building a stronger, more sustainable energy system for the future."
Once converted, the facility is expected to continue operating beyond 2030 and become the largest renewable generator in the province. It is currently NB Power's most greenhouse-gas-intensive generating station.
"New Brunswickers need an electricity system that is reliable, affordable and sustainable," said Energy Minister René Legacy. "The conversion of Belledune gives us an opportunity to keep an important source of generation capacity online while reducing emissions and making greater use of a renewable fuel source produced through Canadian supply chains. It is a practical step toward the energy future we are building for New Brunswick."
The decision to convert Belledune to run on advanced pellets follows years of technical studies, fuel testing and project development. The conversion was identified as the preferred option to maintain the station's contribution to New Brunswick's electricity system while complying with federal coal-fired electricity regulations that take effect in 2030.
The project also has the potential to support economic growth in northern New Brunswick by creating demand across local industries, including forestry, trucking, rail and shipping.
The conversion, which will cost about $65 million, is expected to support 713 full-time equivalent jobs annually across the supply chain within Canada. Converting from imported coal to Canadian-produced pellets would also generate about $85 million in GDP annually.
NB Power will continue working with local communities, Indigenous rights-holders and stakeholders as the project progresses.
The next phase will involve engineering, procurement and site preparation. This will include continued fuel testing, equipment upgrades and preparations for long-term biomass operation.
