Heartland Generation is continuing with the conversion of the Sheerness Powerplant to natural gas.
Recently crews were staying in Drumheller working on the conversion which is expected to be completed not later than the end of 2022.
“Each of the past three years, we have steadily lowered our emissions footprint by increasing our natural gas firing capacity at these sites,” said in a statement from Heartland Generation CEO Rob Dutton.
This came after Westmoreland announced the Paintearth and Sheerness Mines will be ceasing operations.
“With our only customer transitioning to gas firing capacity at the Paintearth and Sheerness stations, Westmoreland is saddened mining will soon conclude. We are greatly appreciative of the accomplishments of our Sheerness & Paintearth employees, some with the company 40-plus years. We greatly appreciate the long term relationship with our Heartland and TransAlta customer, together we have provided low cost and reliable power to the citizens of Alberta”, reads a statement from Kyle Hobbs general manager.
Heartland Generation is aware of the changes.
“While coal deliveries from Westmoreland are anticipated to cease in mid-2021, Heartland Generation will continue to optimize its fuel selection beyond summer 2021 as we thoughtfully plan the transition from coal-to-gas, which will be completed no later than the end of 2022,” said Dutton. “We thank Westmoreland for being one of our valued business partners for more than 60 years and look forward to continuing our working relationship as reclamation activities continue at Battle River and Sheerness over the next several years.”
Westmoreland will continue its reclamation.
“With the transition over the past few years, many jobs have been affected and the mine and Union collaborated with the Government of Alberta and Service Canada to form a Work Force Adjustment Committee to support the transition for employees to new careers or retirement as best as possible,” said Hobbs. “Just like mining, we are now focused on performing best in class reclamation. We will always strive to do our best and finish right to put lands back for use by the community and local shareholders.”
