Algoma Steel says it has made alternative arrangements to power its electric arc furnace while repairs are being made to a turbine. The company reported Aug. 17 that its Lake Superior Power generating facility was not functioning because of the damaged turbine, forcing it to suspend steelmaking. Since then, “Algoma has worked closely with the Independent Electricity System Operator … to implement interim operating arrangements,” the company said in a news release Sept. 2. Those arrangements allowed Algoma to resume production Aug. 29. Sustained production “The company is currently maintaining sustained production under these arrangements, including through certain planned work on the provincial electricity system,” the release said. “The company is currently producing and shipping steel within the parameters of these interim arrangements. The IESO is reviewing upcoming planned power system outages, with the objective of minimizing potential interruptions to the company’s steelmaking operations while maintaining the safety and reliability of the provincial electricity system.” At the same time, Algoma is trying to repair the turbine and get its power-generating facility up and running as soon as possible. The goal is to “repair and return to service of the affected turbine and secure a replacement turbine.” “The company is working with GE and other parties to advance these alternatives in parallel and determine the most effective and timely path to restore full … generating capacity,” the release said. The company continues to assess the potential impact on production and shipments while actively advancing several mitigation options. The extent of any impact will depend on the timing and implementation of these measures, which are expected to reduce the potential production impact. Based in Sault Ste. Marie, Algoma Steel is a leading Canadian producer of high-quality plate and sheet steel products for sectors including energy, defence, automotive, shipbuilding, and infrastructure. Earlier this year, the company made the full transformation to electric arc furnace steelmaking, “redefining how steel is made in Canada,” a process expected to reduce carbon emissions by approximately 70 per cent.
