Overview
Sundance is a 2,141 MW coal power plant in Alberta, Canada, operated by TransAlta. It is one of the largest coal-fired facilities in the region, contributing significantly to the provincial grid.
Sundance is a coal-fired power plant located in Alberta, Canada, with a capacity of 2,141 MW. Operated by TransAlta, it is one of the largest coal power plants in the province, playing a key role in meeting regional electricity demand. The facility is situated near Wabamun Lake, approximately 70 km west of Edmonton. The plant uses subcritical boiler technology, typical of older coal units. As a coal-fired facility, it operates under Canada's federal and provincial emissions regulations, including the Canadian Environmental Protection Act and Alberta's Carbon Competitiveness Incentive Regulation. The plant's size and fuel type place it among the higher-emitting facilities in the country, subject to ongoing phase-out targets for conventional coal power. Sundance provides baseload power to Alberta's grid, supporting industrial and residential consumers. Its operation is significant for grid stability, but the facility faces increasing regulatory pressure to reduce emissions or transition to lower-carbon alternatives. The plant's location in a region with growing renewable energy deployment highlights the evolving energy landscape in Canada.
Environmental context
The Sundance plant's coal combustion produces significant CO2, SOx, and NOx emissions, contributing to local and regional air quality concerns. Its proximity to populated areas and water bodies like Wabamun Lake necessitates careful management of emissions and water use. The facility operates under Canada's coal phase-out regulations, which aim to eliminate conventional coal-fired power by 2030, driving potential conversion to natural gas or retirement.
Frequently asked questions
The Sundance power plant is located in Alberta, Canada, near Wabamun Lake, approximately 70 km west of Edmonton.
The Sundance power plant has a capacity of 2,141 megawatts (MW), making it one of the largest coal-fired plants in Alberta.
The Sundance power plant is operated by TransAlta, a major Canadian power generation company.
Coal power plants in Canada are regulated under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act and provincial regulations such as Alberta's Carbon Competitiveness Incentive Regulation. The federal government has a coal phase-out regulation targeting 2030 for conventional coal units.
As a coal-fired plant, Sundance emits CO2, SOx, and NOx, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions and local air pollution. It is subject to emissions limits and carbon pricing under Canadian regulations.