MOOSE JAW - A Vancouver-based company focused on developing renewable energy projects plans to construct a $3-billion refinery and solar farm east of Moose Jaw that integrates some of the newest green technology available.
(ELE) recently announced that it wants to build a clean fuels refinery and solar facility near Belle Plaine, located on the edge of the Bakken Oil Formation. Phase 1 is expected to cost CDN $640 million, and phase 2 is expected to cost CDN $2.5 billion.
The company has not yet submitted its development permit to the Rural Municipality of Pense. However, once it does and once the RM approves it, the company expects to start moving earth before winter and then begin construction next spring.
One interesting feature of the initiative is it will use carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology to retain more than 90 per cent of the venue’s carbon production and reduce its environmental footprint.
Furthermore, the company says the refinery is expected to generate high-quality products, minimize carbon emissions and meet local and regional needs, all while using the most modern technology and refining processes.
The planned refinery will produce 30,000 barrels per day (bpd) of ultra-low sulphur diesel, gasoline and jet fuel, while the modular design can expand to increase capacity up to 85,000 bpd.
The company also says the refinery size is uniquely designed for construction efficiency and can cost-effectively and sustainably produce supply for local demand.
Further, ELE plans to build a 125-megawatt (MW) solar farm to provide additional power to the refinery, although the bulk of the electricity will support the provincial power grid and regional companies.
The Vancouver-based company has also signed a memorandum of understanding with Ochapowace First Nation’s business development corporation, which will see the corporation acquire a 35-per-cent stake in the project.
Boris Weiss, CEO and chairman of ELE, told the Moose Jaw Express that this project is “a fantastic opportunity,” especially since ELE has been looking for a location and strategizing on this project for years.
There were two locations where Eaglesledge Energy wanted to build, but one site did not meet the criteria, so Belle Plaine became the final destination, he continued. Meanwhile, after former premier Brad Wall convinced the company to enter Saskatchewan, ELE began working with the government to find a site and create a relationship with SaskEnergy.
“We’re excited for the opportunity,” Weiss added.
ELE chose Belle Plaine because of its proximity to Regina and Moose Jaw, while the company wanted a site along the Highway 1 corridor that had access to regional industries, trucking, rail lines, water sources, gas lines and utilities, he said.
The preferred site — on six quarters of land adjacent to the highway and south of the Co-op ethanol complex — meets those requirements.
In Phase 1, ELE will construct a 30,000-bpd clean-fuel refinery, a 125MW solar farm and a rail loop that connects to the Canadian Pacific Kansas City rail line, Weiss explained.
This phase should cost $640 million.
In Phase 2, after the refinery and solar farm are operational, the company will integrate carbon capture and storage technology to turn carbon dioxide and hydrogen into saleable products, he continued.
ELE may construct a 400 MW solar farm to power the CCS technology because it is “extremely energy consuming.”
This phase will likely cost $2.5 billion.
In total, the entire project could be worth CDN $3.1 billion and employ 1,500 to 1,700 people.
Weiss pointed out that 30,000 bpd produces 125,000 tons of carbon dioxide, while converting that CO2 into marketable methanized gas requires more than 80 MW of energy. Therefore, this project would not be economically viable without a solar farm and CCS technology.
There are only about 20 conversion plants worldwide that use this type of CCS technology, but none are tied to a refinery like this one, which makes it unique, he said.
Weiss added that through this project, ELE intends to be a national and international leader in helping meet long-term environmental goals.
Editor's note: This story has been updated to correct inaccuracies with the development permit and type of gas being sold.
