Argoma Steel, the Canadian steelmaker, has announced that it has awarded an upgrade contract to GE Gas Power, a unit of General Electric’s natural gas combined cycle power plant.
The contract includes the installation of two gas turbine packages, with the company expecting the upgrade to provide sufficient internal power generation capabilities to power the first phase of the transition to electric arc furnace (EAF) steelmaking.
Algoma, a leading producer of hot-rolled and cold-rolled steel sheets and plate products, is headquartered in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. In November 2021, the company announced that it would replace the traditional blast furnace and basic oxygen steelmaking process with a state-of-the-art EAF.
The upgrade of GE’s two LM6000 aero-derived gas turbines is expected to reduce carbon emissions by approximately 70%, with the installation due to be completed by contractors based in Ontario.
“This project reflects Argoma’s ongoing commitment to our community by hiring local contractors to support the installation.”
Michael McQuade, CEO of Algoma
Michael McQuade, CEO of Algoma, commented: “This project reflects Argoma’s ongoing commitment to our community by hiring local contractors to support the installation.”
At full capacity, the refurbished facility will have the capacity to generate 110 MW of electricity, more than three times the current capacity of 34 MW.