TransAlta and Tidewater Midstream announce today a Letter of Intent to construct a Natural Gas Pipeline to TransAlta’s Facilities

CALGARY, Dec. 6, 2017 /CNW/ – TransAlta Corporation (“TransAlta” or the “Company”) (TSX: TA; NYSE: TAC) and Tidewater Midstream and Infrastructure Ltd. (“Tidewater”) (TSX: TWM) announced today that the two companies have entered into a Letter of Intent (“LOI”) for Tidewater to construct a 120 Kilometre natural gas pipeline from its Brazeau River Complex to TransAlta’s generating units at Sundance and Keephills.

The Tidewater Pipeline will facilitate TransAlta’s strategy to convert its coal units at Sundance and Keephills to natural gas. Converting the coal units extends the operating life of the assets and significantly reduces operating costs and emissions.

The pipeline will provide initial capacity of 130 MMcf/d by 2020, and have expansion capability to 340 MMcf/d, which represents approximately 50% of TransAlta’s gas requirements at full capacity.  Under the LOI, TransAlta has the option to invest up to 50% in the pipeline.

“Construction of the natural gas pipeline supports our strategy of being a low-cost provider of firm, clean and reliable energy,” said Dawn Farrell, President and Chief Executive Officer of TransAlta. “In addition, having greater access to natural gas allows TransAlta to blend natural gas with the coal, prior to fully converting the units, allowing us to take advantage of low natural gas prices and reduce our carbon costs.”

“Tidewater is excited to enter into a long-term arrangement with TransAlta which is supported by a 15-year take or pay agreement that provides oil and gas producers throughout Western Canada with direct connectivity to a new, large demand source,” said Joel MacLeod, President and Chief Executive Officer of Tidewater. “This agreement with TransAlta enables Tidewater to transport production direct from the wellhead, through Tidewater’s extensive natural gas processing and storage infrastructure network, direct to an end market.”

About TransAlta Corporation:

TransAlta develops new, and owns and operates a diverse fleet of electrical power generation assets in Canada, the United States and Australia with a focus on long-term shareholder value. We provide municipalities, medium and large industries, businesses and utility customers clean, affordable, energy efficient, and reliable power. Today, we are Canada’s largest producer of wind power and Alberta’s largest producer of hydro-electric power. For over 100 years, TransAlta has been a responsible operator and a proud community-member where its employees work and live. TransAlta aligns its corporate goals with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and we have been recognized by CDP (formerly Climate Disclosure Project) as an industry leader on Climate Change Management. We are also proud to have achieved the Silver level PAR (Progressive Aboriginal Relations) designation by the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business.