Imperial announces start-up of Strathcona cogeneration unit

Imperial Oil (TSE: IMO, NYSE American: IMO) has started operation of the new cogeneration unit at its refinery in Strathcona near Edmonton, Alberta , to improve energy efficiency at facilities and help reduce the province’s greenhouse gas emissions.

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(Photo: Business Wire)
(Photo: Business Wire)

“The completion of this project is a significant milestone for Imperial Oil,” said Brad Corson , Chairman of the Board and President and Chief Executive Officer. It demonstrates our commitment to invest in projects that promote sustainability and help reduce emissions. An investment in cogeneration is an investment in the future. “

“This is great news for the province,” added the Premier of Alberta, ” Jason kenney . On a daily basis, we still depend on our natural resources to provide the energy necessary for our lives. That’s why I really enjoy seeing Alberta innovations like this, because they help lower our emissions when we use the energy we need. ”

In a refinery, cogeneration technology captures the heat produced by the production of electricity that would normally be rejected and uses it to produce the steam used in refining operations. The electricity produced by the cogeneration unit of Strathcona represents between 75 and 80% of the refinery’s needs, which considerably reduces its energy consumption from the Alberta grid. The unit produces approximately 41 megawatts of electricity and reduces the province’s greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 112,000 tonnes per year, which is equivalent to taking nearly 24,000 vehicles off the road each year.

“This project is a great example of teamwork, especially in dealing with certain challenges associated with the constraints linked to the pandemic over the past seven months. I am proud that the team accomplished the project on time and on budget, safeguarding everyone’s health and safety, said Dave oldreive , director of the refinery of Strathcona . The refinery of Strathcona continues to be one of the safest, most reliable and competitive refineries in North America and with our cogeneration capacity it is now one of the most energy efficient. “

The cogeneration unit of Strathcona is the third unit of its kind in Alberta , Imperial is already using cogeneration technology at its oil sands facilities in Kearl and Cold lake . The positive impact these facilities have on the province’s greenhouse gas emissions varies with the annual energy consumption of the facilities. In 2019, these facilities contributed to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of approximately 860,000 tonnes, which represents almost 186,000 fewer vehicles on the road each year. Imperial Oil also uses cogeneration technology in its refineries in Sarnia and of Nanticoke in Ontario .

The investment in the refinery of Strathcona underscores the strategic importance to Imperial’s business. Strathcona is the largest refinery in Western Canada and supplies the fuels that enable our communities and the economy to thrive.