Medicine Hat Installs New Generation Facility

February 15, 2017

Construction is now underway for a new electrical generation unit in the city’s northwest Box Springs area. Once completed, the new generation unit will ensure sufficient electricity supply to the city’s customers even if the largest generating unit goes offline.

Council approved this $66 million project in July 2015, following a feasibility study and economic assessment. Anticipated completion is 2017.

The city’s current maximum supply of power is 203 megawatts. The new GE LM-6000 will add 43 megawatts to the City’s power supply, for a total of 246 MW.

This is the third GE LM-6000 unit purchased by the city since 2001. The new generator is located away from the power plant, and will operate on a separate supply of natural gas. This meets the Alberta Utilities Commission guidelines for electrical generation capability for municipalities.