Cascades, the Quebec Government and Rackam Announce a Major Solar Energy Project in Kingsey Falls
Kingsey Falls, June 9, 2014 /3BL Media/ – Pierre Arcand, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources and Minister responsible for the Northern Plan, Mario Plourde, President and Chief Executive Officer of Cascades Inc., Mathieu Chagnon, President of Rackam, and Stéphanie Trudeau, Vice-President, Strategy, Communication and Sustainability at Gaz Métro, proceeded today with the announcement and ceremonial groundbreaking of the solar power plant project to supply the Cascades units in Kingsey Falls.
Cascades and Rackam will install a powerful, 1,490 m2 concentrated solar power (CSP) system on a 4,000 m2 lot, to reduce consumption of natural gas used to produce the hot water required by the industrial complex. This is a world premiere in the pulp and paper industry.
Financing for the $1,073,830 project comes in part from a $463,500 grant from Quebec’s department of energy and natural resources through the former Programme d’aide à l’innovation en énergie (PAIE), now part of the Technoclimat program. Gaz Métro is also contributing $76,000 to the project through its Innovation program.
“Technoclimat is an important tool in supporting the development of new technologies in the area of energy efficiency and emerging energy resources that contribute to reducing greenhouse gases. I am proud to support this project which is not only a world premiere in the pulp and paper industry, but also the first in Quebec in any sector. With this initiative, Cascades and Rackam prove that environmental responsibility and economic development can go hand in hand. This approach perfectly matches our government’s priorities,” said Minister Arcand.
“Once again, Cascades is a sustainable development pioneer. Our company is already two times more energy efficient than the Canadian pulp and paper industry average. The project, which was launched in collaboration with a partner from the region, will allow us to still further reduce the environmental impact of our activities, in addition to reducing our natural gas bill,” said Mr. Plourde.
“We are proud to launch such a large project in collaboration with Cascades,” said Mathieu Chagnon, President of Rackam. “This is the first solar power installation in Quebec that uses our new generation of S20 collectors. These collectors are twice as big as the ones we used in previous projects, and much more efficient. The Kingsey Falls installation will in fact help the technology progress, thanks to our research partnerships with the University of Sherbrooke. The project is a real step ahead that will advance technological expertise in Quebec.”
When complete, the installation will produce 4,440 GJ/year that will be used to raise the temperature of 87,500 m3 of pressurized water from 106°C to 118°C yearly, and will generate savings of 139,700 m3 of natural gas.
Less natural gas will also mean fewer greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, with reductions of more than 265 tonnes of CO2 equivalent per year, or 5,300 tonnes of CO2 over 20 years.
“Gaz Métro is proud to support innovative and groundbreaking projects that help our clients reduce their environmental footprint,” said Stéphanie Trudeau, Vice-President, Strategy, Communication and Sustainability at Gaz Métro. “We have a real partnership with Cascades! Since 2001, we have collaborated on 55 feasibility studies and projects to implement energy efficiency measures in their various plants in Quebec.”
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Founded in 1964, Cascades produces, converts and markets packaging and tissue products that are composed mainly of recycled fibres. The Company employs more than 12,000 employees, who work in over
100 production units located in North America and Europe. With its management philosophy, half a century of experience in recycling, and continuous efforts in research and development as driving forces, Cascades continues to deliver the innovative products that customers have come to rely on. Cascades’ shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange, under the ticker symbol CAS.
Media
Hugo D’Amours
Vice-President, Communications and Public Affairs
Cascades Inc.
418-573-2348
hugo_damours@cascades.com
Information
Véronique Normandin
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources and Minister responsible for the Northern Plan
Tel.: 418-643-7295
Web site: www.cascades.com
Green by Nature Blog: http://blog.cascades.com/
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