Bowater future brightens with biomass plant - UPDATE

Jean-Philippe Cote, company Director of Public Affairs and Government Relation, said, “It’s good news as it provides the company with an ongoing supply of steam and energy. It’s certainly a good addition to help make the mill cost effective so we’re very happy with the acquisition.”

Brooklyn Power and South Shore own and operate a biomass fueled electrical co-generation plant located directly across from the newsprint mill. The plant sells electrical power to Nova Scotia Power Incorporated and steam to the Mersey Paper mill located next to the co-generation operation.

Biomass for the operation of Brooklyn Power comes primarily from wood waste from the Mersey sawmill in Oakhill, Lunenburg Co. and the paper mill, as well as from other sawmills and forest product operations in western Nova Scotia.

According to an AbitibiBowater press release, the acquisition secures an environmentally beneficial supply of steam for the paper mill, as well as a supply of renewable electrical power into the Nova Scotia power system.

Cote said, however, phase 2 of the company’s study of overall operations is nearly complete and will soon be released.

Therefore, he said, “I can’t speculate as to the future but it (purchase) is certainly good news for the Bowater mill.”

The first phase resulted in some plant closures and numerous lost jobs. In addition, about 50 positions were lost at the Brooklyn mill.

Cote couldn’t confirm how much energy is generated by the facility.

Cote said in the short term, at least, the facility will continue to operate as is. The sale had been held up in Nova Scotia Supreme Court over a contract dispute between Brooklyn Power and Nova Scotia Power.

Brooklyn Power started operation in 1995 and is one of the largest renewable energy operations in the province.