A Greener Future for Alberta Forestry Waste
The Government of Alberta recently announced its support for the development, by Davis client the Otoka Energy Corporation, of the first of its kind waste-to-energy production facility, where sawmill wood waste and forestry residuals will be converted into clean, sustainable energy. Otoka, a renewable energy company created with the intention of developing and operating "biomass to energy" facilities, will receive a $20,000,000 grant from Alberta's share of the Canada EcoTrust for Clean Air and Climate change, plus an additional $5,000,000 grant through Alberta's Biorefining commercialization and Market Development Program.
These grants position Otoka to implement and develop its innovative system in Drayton Valley, Alberta. Phase I of Otoka's Drayton Valley Energy Campus will convert 380,000 tonnes of wood waste, presently being burned in slash-piles or left as waste, into clean electricity thereby reducing greenhouse gases by an estimated 400,000 tonnes annually and taking Otoka a step closer to its goal of creating local solutions for the international demand for clean, sustainable energy.
Alberta Environment Minister, Rob Renner, said "The Drayton Valley Energy Campus is an excellent example of Alberta's investment in a sustainable future. It's a win-win for Albertans. We're producing electricity, turning forestry waste into valuable commodities and reducing Alberta's greenhouse gases."
The Drayton Valley Energy Campus supports Alberta's vision to be a leader in sustainable development, and the Alberta Government's contribution shows its continued commitment to implement the its Provincial Energy Strategy, supporting a green future where growth of renewable energy resources is critical. The Otoka project will help reduce Alberta's carbon footprint by converting existing waste into clean energy. Because of their tremendous environmental impact, Otoka is recognized as an example of a company assisting Alberta in implementing its climate change strategy. We will continue to work with Otoka as it takes further steps toward the development of the Drayton Valley Energy Campus.