Avex fined for operating power plant without regulatory approval

• 2 months ago (2024-02-13)
• David Flin

Gas 372 North America 998

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The Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) has fined Avex Energy of Canada nearly CS250 000 for running a natural gas-fired power plant while bypassing regulatory tests for safe and unobtrusive operation.

Geoff Scotton, spokesman for the AUC said: “They have not been approved to operate.”

Officials from what was then Avila Energy approached the commission in 2019 with plans to build a power plant in the County of Stettler. Avila already held permits for operating a natural gas field in that area of central Alberta and planned to use that gas to fuel the plant. The statement says: “On the basis of those discussions, Avila believed that no additional approval was required and proceeded on that basis.” The 3.5 MW Red Willow plant was built and entered operation in April 2021.

By December, the Commission began to receive noise complaints from residents. “The complainants stated that they first noticed the noise in May 2021 and that the noise became increasingly problematic in October 2021, when additional generating capacity was added.”

The Commission investigated the noise complaints and found Avex was unlicensed. Avex had not applied for a permit to build the plant, nor had it conducted a required noise assessment, nor did it receive the necessary environmental approvals. Red Willow was closed and remains shut.