Overview
Keephills is a 1,253 MW coal power plant in Alberta, Canada, jointly owned by Capital Power and TransAlta. It is one of the larger coal-fired facilities in the province, supplying baseload electricity to the grid.
Keephills is a coal-fired power plant located in Alberta, Canada, with a generating capacity of 1,253 megawatts (MW). The facility is jointly owned by Capital Power and TransAlta, two major Canadian energy companies, and operates as a baseload plant serving the Alberta electricity market. Alberta's power generation mix has historically relied heavily on coal, though the province is transitioning toward natural gas and renewables under its Climate Leadership Plan. The plant uses subcritical boiler technology, typical for older coal units, and is subject to federal and provincial emissions regulations. Canada's coal-fired power plants must meet the performance standards set by the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, which require a phase-out of traditional coal units by 2030 unless equipped with carbon capture and storage. Keephills operates under Alberta's Carbon Competitiveness Incentive Regulation, which imposes a carbon price on large emitters. As a major coal-fired facility, Keephills contributes significantly to Alberta's electricity supply but also faces environmental scrutiny due to its CO2, SOx, and NOx emissions. The plant is located near Wabamun Lake, a recreational area, and its operations are subject to air quality monitoring and emission reduction requirements. The transition to cleaner energy sources in Alberta will shape the plant's long-term role in the province's power grid.
Environmental context
Keephills is a coal-fired plant with a capacity of 1,253 MW, resulting in substantial CO2 emissions per unit of electricity generated. Its location in Alberta, a region with a growing population and industrial activity, means emissions can affect local air quality. The plant uses subcritical technology, which is less efficient than supercritical or combined-cycle gas turbines, leading to higher fuel consumption and emissions per MWh. Proximity to Wabamun Lake and recreational areas adds to environmental considerations, though specific impacts are managed through provincial monitoring programs.
Frequently asked questions
Keephills is located in Alberta, Canada, near Wabamun Lake, approximately 70 km west of Edmonton.
Keephills has a generating capacity of 1,253 megawatts (MW), making it one of the larger coal-fired plants in Alberta.
Keephills is jointly owned by Capital Power (50%) and TransAlta (50%), two major Canadian energy companies.
Coal power plants in Canada are regulated under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, which sets performance standards and mandates a phase-out of traditional coal units by 2030 unless equipped with carbon capture. Provincial regulations, such as Alberta's Carbon Competitiveness Incentive Regulation, also apply.
As a coal-fired plant, Keephills emits CO2, SOx, and NOx, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions and local air quality concerns. Its subcritical technology results in lower efficiency and higher emissions per MWh compared to modern gas plants.