June 23, 2008

Suncor Energy plans $120 million expansion of St. Clair ethanol plant

Richard Gilbert

staff writer

Suncor Energy is planning a $120 million expansion of its St. Clair ethanol plant, the largest such facility in the country.

The plant began production in July 2006 and has a capacity of 200 million litres per year.

Construction of the expanded facilities is underway and is expected to boost ethanol production to 400 million litres per year.

“It was commissioned two years ago and designed with expansion in mind. We have the capacity to add on additional processing capacity. It’s not a stand alone facility,” said Jason Vaillant, company spokesperson.

The expansion of the facility will create 150 jobs and involves an addition to the administration building, as well as the installation of piping, pumps and storage vessels for the finished product.

“Initially, we will need to do the site preparation work,” Vailliant said.

“Once construction starts we will need all the construction trades, including carpenters, pipefitters, welders, mill wrights and labourers, at various stages of the project.”

The contracts for construction have not been awarded, but certain contractors have already been pre-qualified for work.

The contractors will be selected from the Sarnia area and they already worked on the first phase of construction.

The expansion is scheduled for completion in late 2009. Once in operation the facility will create 20 new full-time positions. Expanding ethanol production is part of Suncor’s plan to invest $750 million in renewable energy initiatives by 2012.

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