BC Hydro Power Smart Program Boosts Viability for Mechanical Pulp Producers
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Catalyst Paper Corp., Richmond, B.C., Canada, this week announced the Ministry of Energy and Mines and BC Hydro introduction of a new energy efficiency program aimed at reducing the power costs of mechanical pulp producers. The Power Smart program provides an injection of $100 million over three years and is aimed at reducing energy intensity and improving energy efficiency used in the thermal-mechanical pulping process at seven pulp facilities throughout British Columbia.
The funding will benefit three Catalyst mills located in the communities of Crofton, Port Alberni, and Powell River. The first project that Catalyst is planning for is a project that utilizes waste steam to reduce electrical load on the hydro system. The project has an expected capital cost in excess of $25 million, of which Power Smart funding will cover 75%, and reduces energy cost by an estimated $5 million each year.
Catalyst Paper manufactures diverse specialty mechanical printing papers, newsprint, and pulp. Its customers include international retailers, publishers, and commercial printers. With three mills located in British Columbia, Catalyst has a combined annual production capacity of 1.5 million tons.
