Belledune Clean Fuel Project
Background
The 467 MW Belledune Generating Station is in northeast New Brunswick in the village of Belledune. It is an extremely reliable and versatile generating station and a key employer in Northern New Brunswick. It plays a critical role in New Brunswick’s energy security by providing dependable and predictable electricity, when New Brunswickers need it.
Finding an alternative renewable fuel source for the Belledune Generating Station is part of our long-term strategy to drive New Brunswick to a cleaner, greener future and be more environmentally sustainable for generations to come.
In March 2024, Belledune began introducing wood biomass (advanced pellets) to the boiler to test its feasibility as a fuel source. The Station successfully operated twice on 100 per cent advanced pellets. The test showed promising results and confirmed that advanced pellets could be an option for Belledune.
To help refine our capital cost estimate for a full conversion from coal to advanced pellets, another test was completed in November 2024.
Advanced pellets for the Belledune conversion will come from sustainable, existing sources, ensuring no new large-scale forestry operations.
More analysis and further testing are required to determine the long-term viability of burning wood pellets at Belledune. A successful test burn is a key first step to getting off coal by 2030 and achieving a net-zero energy future – an objective of our strategic plan.
We have signed Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with several potential pellet suppliers. These partners will study the location and size of their respective pellet facilities, helping us ensure we have a reliable supply chain.
Project Benefits
A switch to advanced pellets at Belledune could fuel economic development in New Brunswick, including benefits to the forestry, trucking, rail, and shipping industries.
Converting to a renewable fuel source such as advanced pellets will make Belledune our largest renewable generator; currently it is our most greenhouse-gas intensive energy generator.
Proposed Project Schedule
| PROJECT ACTIVITIES | TIMELINES |
|---|---|
| Engagement with First Nations and Stakeholders | Ongoing throughout project |
| REOI biomass submissions evaluation | Ongoing |
| Test burn | March-April 2024 - Complete |
| Analysis | Q2-Q3 of 2024 - Complete |
| Test burn 2 | November 2024 - Complete |
| Finalize fuel supply strategy | December 2025 |
| Final investment decision | February 2026 |
| Biomass conversion complete (exact timing TBD) |
2028-2030 |
More Questions
For more information on this project, contact us at BD@nbpower.com