The Keephills 3 power project is a 495 gross megawatt (MW) coal-fired generating plant that will be located adjacent to the existing Keephills power plant. The Keephills 3 plant is an important step in ensuring Alberta's future power needs are met with a reliable, cost-effective and environmentally responsible source of electricity.
Capital Power/TransAlta Partnership
Building on the success of the Genesee 3, Capital Power and TransAlta will be equal partners in the ownership of Keephills 3, with Capital Power responsible for construction. Upon completion, TransAlta will operate the facility and Capital Power and TransAlta will independently dispatch and market their share of the unit's electrical output. The project has received approval from the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC), Alberta Environment and Parkland County.
Construction Bulletins
March 2010 (1MB pdf)
December 2009 (156KB pdf)
September 2009 (495KB pdf)
July 2009 (193KB pdf)
April 2009 (104KB pdf)
February 2009 (112KB pdf)
December 2008 (88KB pdf)
October 2008 (90KB pdf)
August 2008 (119KB pdf)
June 2008 (84KB pdf)
April 2008 (147KB pdf)
February 2008 (129KB pdf)
December 2007 (98.4KB pdf)
October 2007 (103KB pdf)
August 2007 (193KB pdf)
June 2007 (67KB pdf)
April 2007 (500KB pdf)
Supercritical Boiler Technology
Keephills 3 will use supercritical boiler technology which features higher boiler temperatures and pressures and a high-efficiency steam turbine. Because less fuel is used to produce the same amount of power, CO2 emissions per MW are lower than a conventional coal plant. The plant will emit 24 per cent less carbon dioxide (CO2) in producing the same amount of power as the four obsolete Wabamun units being fully retired by TransAlta by 2010.
Construction
Work to prepare the Keephills 3 site for construction began in February 2007. Construction is expected to take four years with commissioning scheduled for 2011. The capital cost of the project, including mine capital is expected to be approximately $1.7 billion and anticipated to result in a peak workforce of up to 1000 people in 2009.
The following is an overview of anticipated construction activities for the next 10 months to two years, which are subject to change.
|
Public consultation |
Ongoing |
|
Permits and announcement
Project team assembled
Site preparation and start of construction
Gravel hauling
Completion of concrete batch plant
Site facilities, new entrance and new employee parking lot open |
2007 |
|
Piling for turbine hall complete
Start piling for water treatment plant
Employee bussing begins |
January 2008 |
|
First above-ground work – steel frame erection |
February 2008 |
|
Delivery of major equipment begins |
Spring 2008 (to 2009) |
|
Begin stack concrete pour |
June 2008 |
|
Turbine/generator foundation complete |
July 2008 |
|
Peak activity/workforce |
May to September 2009 |
|
Cooling tower complete (August)
Station transformer energized (September) |
2009 |
|
First fire of boiler |
June 2010 |
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Contact Information
Keephills 3 Stakeholders
Phone: 1-877-636-7823 (toll-free)
Email: keephills3@transalta.com