Additional transmission requirements to supply the domestic market and for exports

Alberta's oil sands provide a major cogeneration opportunity for North America. This cogeneration can increase oil sands production efficiencies, and can become a significant new industry and a new source of low cost power. The lack of transmission in Alberta is restricting the development of new cogeneration projects in the province. The solutions to the transmission problem should include re-building the alternative current (AC) system from 240 to 500 kilo volts (kV), and the construction of a new transmission super-highway. The North-South 500 kV project was discussed, reviewing preliminary cost estimates and benefits. A chart displaying the transmission costs through to 2002 was displayed. Exports are restricted by technical, contractual, and jurisdictional issues. An export comparison between Alberta and other provinces was presented. The author provided an overview of the NorthernLights project sponsored by TransCanada PipeLines, designed to bulk inter-regional connection between Northern Alberta and the Pacific Northwest. Potential terminals could be located in Fort McMurray, Southern Alberta, Northeastern Washington, and Southwestern Washington. This project has the advantage of facilitating the large scale development of cogeneration and reducing the improvements required on AC grid. The potential direct current (DC) route was shown, which avoids large cities, native lands, military bases, parks, and sensitive lands. The author emphasized that DC transmission infrastructure has been the major factor in generation development in Manitoba, Quebec, and the Pacific Northwest, becoming an efficient pipeline for electricity movement. The Alberta government has shown some level of commitment by providing direction for transmission development. figs