March 16, 2011

AbitibiBowater has announced it will increase its electricity generation capacity by 40 megawatts through an agreement with the Ontario Power Authority (OPA). The expansion, expected to be completed by January 2013, will add capacity to AbitibiBowater’s existing biomass-fuelled combined heat and power (CHP) project, and is said to produce enough additional power for 38,000 homes and add 56 permanent jobs.

The expansion is also supported by Ontario’s Forest Sector Prosperity Fund.

“These types of projects help industries become more energy efficient and reduce costs, while supplying clean electricity for Ontarians,” said the government.

AbitibiBowater is also taking advantage of the Industrial Conservation Initiative which is available to more than 200 of Ontario’s largest energy consumers. This program encourages industrial companies to shift their electricity consumption to off-peak hours, helping companies like AbitibiBowater stay competitive, invest more in their businesses and create new jobs.

“This investment is key regarding the mill’s future competitiveness. Many people worked on this project over the last three years. I would like to thank the Government of Ontario for their ongoing support, and thank the OPA for being part of this success. Most importantly, I thank our employees for their unwavering support throughout this process. It made this project possible,” said Douglas Murray, general manager, Thunder Bay Operations, AbitibiBowater.