Power corp explores energy options
NTPC aims to examine power supply at mine
April Hudson
Northern News Services
Monday, March 6, 2017
TTHENAAGO/NAHANNI BUTTE
The Northwest Territories Power Corporation (NTPC) is looking into the possibility of supplying the Prairie Creek mine site with liquid natural gas as a possible energy source.
In mid-February, the power corporation signed a memorandum of understanding with Canadian Zinc Corporation.
That memorandum means the power corporation will look at how it can supply the mine with a primary electrical energy source, according to a Feb. 14 news release from Canadian Zinc.
The power corporation will also take a look at the possibility of installing generating facilities and other necessary infrastructure.
In an e-mail, power corp. spokesperson Pam Coulter said the power corporation will first be coming up with a business plan.
"In order to generate a supply power to any new large customer, NTPC determines the cost of providing that power by developing a business plan," she stated.
"(That) will determine whether (we) proceed to a study."
Alan Taylor, the chief operating officer for Canadian Zinc, stated in the news release that using liquid natural gas as an alternative energy source would reduce the mine's dependency on diesel fuel, which could lower the cost of powering the mine.
In an interview, Taylor said Canadian Zinc and NTPC will also be taking a look at gas fields near Fort Liard.
"It would be a shame to drive diesel trucks past wellheads that are capped and have gas in them," he said.
According to the Feb. 14 news release, liquid natural gas would be delivered to Prairie Creek Mine along the same route as would be used to supply Fort Simpson and surrounding communities.
