Lafarge enters into agreement to purchase wind power from TransAlta

To increase the use of renewable energy sources in the cement manufacturing process, Lafarge recently entered into a purchase power agreement (PPA) with TransAlta. By increasing the use of wind power, Lafarge will substantially reduce the plant’s reliance on traditional fossil fuels.

Because the PPA provides energy from existing wind farms in Alberta, wind turbines are not required at the Exshaw plant.

“Wind power from TransAlta will cover 40% to 50 per cent of Exshaw’s energy demands. This agreement, a first of its kind for Lafarge in Alberta, is an important step to utilizing higher amounts of renewable electricity at our facilities,” said Cailee Ellis, Head of Sustainability and Environment of Lafarge Western Canada.

“We saw the PPA as an opportunity with unlimited potential for Lafarge. Exshaw is our most significant consumer of our energy in Western Canada and this is a sustainable and cost-effective solution” adds Ellis.

This PPA with TransAlta will provide electricity for the low carbon fuel project, further advancing Lafarge’s ongoing sustainability goals and objectives. Along with reducing emissions from traditional sources, the addition of wind power further improves local air quality and decreases transportation costs. Together, these initiatives make considerable progress in the plant’s plan to eventually decarbonize the energy used in the production process.

As demand for cement increases, reducing the plant’s reliance on fossil fuels through innovative solutions like the PPA means Lafarge addresses their environmental objectives while meeting the needs of the community.