Thunder Bay generating station to burn biomass

The Thunder Bay Generating Station will be converted from burning coal to burning advanced biomass as a fuel for creating electricity.

In an announcement made in Thunder Bay Friday, local MPPs Michael Gravelle and Bill Mauro said the plant will become the first advanced biomass station in the world that was formerly used as a coal plant.

A previous plan to convert the station to natural gas was cancelled a year ago by Ontario Power Generation, putting into question the plant's future. At the time the Ontario Power Authority said it believed it could get the necessary power for the region from other sources.

The conversion of Thunder Bay's Mission Island Generating Station from coal power to natural gas was halted late last year as Ontario Power Generation said it couldn't strike a power purchase agreement with the Ontario Power Authority. (Ontario Power Generation)

Modifications to the plant will begin next year, when the Mission Island station stops burning coal. By then it will be the last coal-fired generating station in Ontario.

In a statement, Energy minister Bob Chiarelli said the conversion "will ensure Thunder Bay has access to clean, reliable power. This initiative will leave a healthier environment and cleaner air for our children and grandchildren."

Advanced biomass is a renewable fuel derived from forest or agricultural sources that has similar characteristics to coal. It contains about 75 per cent less nitrogen oxide than coal emissions and virtually no sulphur dioxide.

In September, OPG conducted a successful test burn using 100 per cent advanced biomass, which the government says was the first test of its kind in the world.