Nov 2 2008
Rio Tinto is to invest US$228 million in the construction of a new 225 megawatt high-efficiency turbine at Rio Tinto Alcan's Shipshaw power station in Saguenay, Quebec, Canada. The project is expected to be completed in December 2012.
“This modernisation and upgrading of the Shipshaw power generating station underscores the importance we place on secure, competitively priced energy resources, which are key to realisation of the long term Quebec investment programme announced in December 2006,” said Tom Albanese, Chief executive officer of Rio Tinto, speaking at the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal luncheon. “Rio Tinto remains committed to sustainable, value creating investments in Canada and the rest of the world.”
The Shipshaw power station is a major component of Rio Tinto Alcan's extensive hydroelectric network, which has a total installed capacity of approximately 2,900 megawatts in Quebec.
Other projects in Quebec include the spent potlining facility completed in 2008 as well as Rio Tinto Alcan’s pilot plant using groundbreaking AP 50 smelting technology and a proposed expansion of its Alma smelter.