We can’t burn away our clean future
DEAR EDITOR:
I usually find Economic Letter insightful and fact based. However, in David Bond’s piece, “Canada can rightfully claim to offer the world’s cleanest LNG” of Jan. 31, he misses the mark through one factual error.
While the small proposed Woodfibre LNG liquefaction compressors may be powered by “hydroelectricity generated by turbines in large dams,” LNG Canada’s compressors in Kitimat won’t be. The power for the initial two LNG trains under construction will be powered by burning natural gas. It is likely that the proposed second two trains will be as well.
Vancouver Sun columnist Vaughn Palmer claims it is a B.C. Hydro mistake in not building high-voltage, high-capacity power transmission lines to Kitimat. The reason is more fundamental, there isn’t enough power in B.C. to supply LNG Canada. Typically, each LNG liquefaction train requires up to 200-450 mW/hours. The initial power draw by LNG Canada will be likely in the order of magnitude of 500mW/hours, potentially rising to 1000mW/hrs.
Another 60mW/hours of power, likely supplied by hydro, is required to compress and pump the initial natural gas volumes from northwestern B.C. to the coast. Up to seven additional pumping/compressing stations will be required if LNG Canada expands to four trains.
Where would this electricity come from? The annual average output of Site B (Peace Canyon) is 400mW/hours. Site C, under construction, will have an annual average output of 580mW/hours. Both Site B and Site C dams would required to supply and liquify all the LNG Canada trains.
Alternatively, over 250 high output wind turbines would be required.(As an aside, just compressing and pumping the same volume of Natural Gas in the same diameter pipeline to Saguenay Quebec would require about 400mW/hours.)
A full environmental analysis (up-stream, mid-stream and down-stream) of self-generated LNG projects shows them to be marginally “cleaner” than burning coal mined near the consuming powerhouses. While hydrocarbons have a role and will be part of our lives for decades more, we can’t burn our way to a cleaner future. David Flater Okanagan Falls