Message #24 From:
NewsBot Date: December 13, 2006 05:30:00 AM
AES News AES To Invest $50 Million in Advanced Clean-Coal Emissions Control Technology At AES Westover in New York
ARLINGTON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The AES Corporation (NYSE: AES) announced today that AES Westover, a 126
MW coal-fired facility near Binghamton, NY, will begin installation of
state-of-the-art multi-emissions control technology on its 84 MW Unit #8
in early 2007. AES will invest $50 million in the project, which is
expected to be completed by the end of 2008.
The project will increase AES Westover’s
removal rates for NOX emissions from 60% today
to 90% once the project is complete, through the use of a Selective
Catalytic Reduction (SCR) system with ammonia injection. SO2
emissions will be reduced by 95% through the use of a dry scrubber,
followed by a fabric filter bag-house—a final
stage in the emission control process. In addition, the combination of
these technologies is also expected to reduce mercury emissions by 90%.
“AES has the cleanest coal operating fleet in
New York and this project demonstrates our ongoing commitment to
improving the air quality in the state. Each of AES’s
coal-fired plants in New York continue to emit significantly less SO2
and NOx than any other coal-fired facility in
the state, based on EPA data,” said Jim
Mulligan, Plant Manager at AES Westover. “This
technology will allow AES Westover to meet all of the requirements under
the Clean Air Act while continuing to meet increasing demands for energy
in New York.”
AES has committed more than $150 million to emissions control projects
in upstate New York since 1999. In a similar approach to the AES
Westover project, AES Greenidge, located in Dresden, NY, announced in
July this year that it is testing a multi-pollution control technology
as part of a demonstration project with the US Department of Energy.
Since 1999, AES has reduced SO2 and NOx
emissions by 70% at its AES Somerset and AES Cayuga facilities in
New York State, and has reduced mercury emissions at both plants by more
than 90%. Today, these facilities are equipped with enhanced,
state-of-the-art multi-pollutant emission control equipment including
Flue Gas Desulfurization (FGD) and Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR)
technology.
“AES has consistently demonstrated its
commitment to supporting the environment in New York,”
said Pete Norgeot, Vice President, AES Eastern Energy. “The
AES Westover project will continue to help New York State meet its
energy, environmental and economic development goals.”
Babcock Power Environmental will engineer and supply the equipment and
Nicholsen & Hall will construct the AES Westover project.
AES is one of the world's largest global power companies, with 2005
revenues of $11 billion. With operations in 26 countries on five
continents, AES's generation and distribution facilities have the
capacity to serve 100 million people worldwide. Our 14 regulated
utilities amassed 2005 annual sales of over 82,000 GWh and our 122
generation facilities have the capacity to generate over 44,000
megawatts. Our global workforce of 30,000 people is committed to
operational excellence and meeting the world's growing power needs. To
learn more about AES, please visit www.aes.com
or contact AES media relations at media@aes.com.
Safe Harbor Disclosure
This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning
of the Securities Act of 1933 and of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to,
those related to future earnings, growth and financial and operating
performance. Forward-looking statements are not intended to be a
guarantee of future results, but instead constitute AES's current
expectations based on reasonable assumptions. Forecasted financial
information is based on certain material assumptions. These assumptions
include, but are not limited to, continued normal levels of operating
performance and electricity demand at our distribution companies and
operational performance at our contract generation businesses consistent
with historical levels, as well as achievements of planned productivity
improvements and incremental growth investments at normalized investment
levels and rates of return consistent with prior experience. Actual
results could differ materially from those projected in our
forward-looking statements due to risks, uncertainties and other
factors. Important factors that could affect actual results are
discussed in AES's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
including, but not limited to, the risks discussed under Item 1A "Risk
Factors" in AES's 2005 Annual Report on Form 10-K. Readers are
encouraged to read AES's filings to learn more about the risk factors
associated with AES's business. AES undertakes no obligation to update
or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new
information, future events or otherwise.