The CEO of Enmax says she is looking forward to hearing about the incoming NDP government’s plans for climate change policies.
“What are these policies? Are there things that we could look at to do to advance the retirement of coal earlier?” asked Gianna Manes. “I think for Enmax, we’re really well-positioned to participate in those conversations.”
The NDP is expected to place more emphasis on Alberta’s climate change policies in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Enmax is partnering with Capital Power on a 1,000 megawatt, natural gas-fired plant near Genesee Lake, west of Edmonton.
Manes says the plant was supposed to open in 2019 ,but that could be accelerated if the new government wants to shut down coal-fired plants sooner than currently planned.
“We’re doing all the work now so we’re positioned and prepared,” Manes said.
“If things change, where it looks like the plant needs to come online sooner, we still have the opportunity to accelerate it. We also have the opportunity to adjust it in the other direction, if the market would indicate that it would make sense to do so.
Enmax just opened an 800-megawatt gas-fired power plant in Calgary this year.
