This is not about all the 'cheaper' power from Epcor/Alta Power, this is all about the stranded power up in the fort mcmurray area. All the SAGD plants (most, anyways) are using combined cycle plants to generate the steam required, the by product is power...they absolutely need the upgraded transmission lines to southern alberta for continued growth.
As far as power reliabilty goes, the smart players build the source near the loads....long transmission lines are bad juju in the generation world, but great news for the distribution world.
Enmax is just commissioning the crossfield plant (a peaker) and is getting ready to sign on the dotted line for the plant in Ogden, on the Calgary Malting site. They also want to build a big plant in Sheppard, but they cant go that one alone. Lets not forget that they also own the Calgary Energy Centre plant out in balzac, the former Calpine plant.
Enmax is doing the right thing, each major metropolis should have its own generation infrastructure, we are getting bent over by the players in Northern Alberta...plain and simple
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