Perched on New Brunswick’s northern coast, the Port of Belledune has been charting a new course—one built on clean energy and innovation—for many years. Long known for handling bulk commodities and heavy industry, the port now envisions itself as a hub for low-carbon development, with biomass playing a central role. From exporting renewable fuels to attracting green manufacturing, the port’s ambitions are as bold as they are pragmatic.That vision extends inland to the Belledune Generating Station, where NB Power is evaluating the potential to convert the coal-fired facility to run on sustainably sourced biomass. The move could preserve local jobs, leverage existing infrastructure, and tie the region’s decarbonization goals together. For Belledune, it’s a fitting evolution—one that reflects a community determined to turn its industrial past into a clean energy future.Weighing the Options&nbsp; The 467-MW Belledune Generating Station has been a cornerstone of New Brunswick’s electricity grid for more than three decades and is gearing up for a transformation. As part of Canada’s federal commitment under climate policy to eliminate coal by 2030, NB Power is testing advanced or black wood biomass pellets as a fuel source.The coal-fired thermal generating station is responsible for 15% of New Brunswick’s electricity needs and uses approximately 1 million metric tons (mmt) of coal per year, therefore a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants in the province. &nbsp;In 2018, the federal government announced the phase-out of coal-fired generation by 2030. This regulation would see the Belledune Generating Station cease to burn coal in 2030, 10 years earlier than its planned retirement date. As a result, the Belledune Clean Fuel Project was created.&nbsp;To start, NB Power analyzed multiple options to continue operation of the station past 2030 using alternative fuels. Some of these fuel options include traditional biomass, torrefied biomass, liquified natural gas, renewable natural gas and conventional natural gas. “Finding an alternative renewable fuel source for the Belledune Generating Station is part of our long-term strategy to drive New Brunswick to a cleaner, greener future and be more environmentally sustainable for generations to come,” says Brad Coady, vice president, business development and strategic partnerships at NB Power. “We have explored several options and strongly believe advanced wood pellets are the most cost-effective and efficient choice for our customers.”In March 2024, Belledune began introducing woody biomass (advanced pellets) to the boiler to test its feasibility as a fuel source. The station successfully operated twice on 100% advanced pellets. “The test showed promising results and confirmed that advanced pellets could be an option for Belledune,” Coady says. “To help refine our capital cost estimate for a full conversion from coal to advanced pellets, another test was completed in November 2024. The tests confirmed that advanced wood pellets in the form of both steam-treated and torrefied pellets could be an alternate fuel source for Belledune. Successful test burns are key to getting off coal by 2030 and achieving a net-zero energy future—an objective in our strategic plan.”The Road Ahead&nbsp; A final investment decision is slated for this February. If the conversion to biomass goes ahead, the plan is for it to be operational by sometime between 2028-'30. “Transitioning from coal to advanced wood pellets is an exciting strategy because we are moving from fossil fuel to a renewable fuel,” Coady says. “Converting to a renewable fuel source will make Belledune our largest renewable generator; currently it is our most greenhouse-gas intensive energy generator in our fleet.”As a cost-of-service utility, NB Power evaluates the lowest-cost option to meet New Brunswickers’ energy needs and is forecasting the need for about 300,000 metric tons of advanced wood pellets a year to support the transition from coal. “Based on our testing, it appears that advanced wood pellets are like coal,” Coady says. “For example, they can tolerate damp conditions and be stored outside. They grind and burn in the boiler in a similar manner as coal. As we continue our transition process, more analysis and further testing will be carried out to determine any unique aspects to handling and burning wood pellets at Belledune.”New Brunswick’s Belledune Port Authority is expected to be a key partner in NB Power’s clean energy transition. It already played an integral part for the test burns, with the port importing 2,500 metric tons of advanced wood pellets to the generating station last year. Denis Caron, port president and CEO, notes the port’s role in the Belledune Clean Fuel Project reflects years of planning to support both domestic and international biomass markets, with biomass growth a part of a deliberate shift toward greener operations. For instance, the port’s investments in new storage and terminal infrastructure have helped boost biomass volume from 224,000 mt in 2018 to more than half a million mt this year.&nbsp;Additionally, the terminal expansions and automated handling systems at the Port of Belledune allow for high-volume shipments, ensuring that pellets can be efficiently moved from storage to the generating station. Coal deliveries historically accounted for roughly 40% of port cargo, highlighting the significance of shifting a portion of that volume to biomass.David Kelly, communications officer for the government of New Brunswick’s Energy and Utilities and Finance and Treasury boards, notes that as electrification increases and the population continues to grow, it is essential that the necessary systems are in place to guarantee a consistent and secure supply of energy for New Brunswickers and still meet the province’s clean energy strategy. “As the coal-fired regulations are federal requirements, the province has worked with NB Power to advocate for federal funding to support the clean energy transition, including the conversion of Belledune,” he says. “The Belledune Generating Station is a key employer for the region and provides important benefits to the province’s electricity system. Any conversion to biomass will continue to support jobs in the region while reducing the greenhouse gas emissions from the facility.”Supplying Pellets&nbsp;&nbsp; NB Power is exploring securing biomass supply locally and regionally—ensuring sustainability—and avoiding creating large-scale new forestry damage. “We have signed memorandums of understanding with several potential pellet suppliers,” Coady says. “These partners will study the location and size of their respective pellet facilities, helping us ensure we have a reliable supply chain.“Our goal is to primarily source our renewable fuel needs from New Brunswick-based businesses,” Coady continues. “It is important to note that today, about 500,000 mt of white wood pellets are exported from New Brunswick to Europe each year by many local businesses. Based on our conversations with the wood pellet industry, we are confident a sufficient supply of advanced wood pellets will be secured in the coming year.”&nbsp;Gordon Murray, executive director of the Wood Pellet Association of Canada, notes that local producers are individually evaluating the opportunity for installing thermal pellet capacity to supply NB Power. “The proposed Belledune project will be the largest consumer of black pellets worldwide which, as a first mover, introduces significant risk for potential suppliers,” he says. “The challenge for any producer is to scale up the available equipment for making thermally treated pellets. There are several reputable vendors of equipment for the processes of torrefaction or steam explosion. However, none of these have been used yet for making thermally treated pellets at a large scale.”Since NB Power’s strategy is to source this renewable fuel from forestry byproducts, this conversion will not lead to new large-scale harvesting of New Brunswick forests. Instead, there will be a more complete and effective use of trees that have already been harvested for other products that power the New Brunswick economy.&nbsp;All members of the WPA are SBP certified, and the pellet sector has no impact on forest harvest levels. “Our sector is 100% reliant on residues from the sawmill sector in the form of sawdust, shavings, chips and low-quality logs left over from harvesting operations that are unsuitable for making lumber,” Murray says. “We don’t anticipate any impact on being able to supply the domestic heating market, though there is a possibility that some volume could potentially be displaced from the European industrial pellet markets.”Challenges of Transition&nbsp; While things are looking positive for the transition, the project is not without its technical, financial and logistical challenges. “There is a lot of work to be done, and we are still in the process of refining capital cost estimates and will follow all necessary regulatory processes as the project progresses,” Coady says. “It is crucial we have strong relationships with different groups, including the forestry and transport industries, to secure consistent and high-quality biomass that ensures reliable operation of the station for our customers. We want to ensure the biomass program is affordable and reliable, along with proper policies in place by both levels of government to ensure we are operating effectively.”Meeting Goals&nbsp; If the conversion proves successful, as NB Power expects it to be, the Belledune Generating Station will play an important role in the region’s economy and in helping New Brunswick reach its 2030 and net-zero targets. “Belledune will continue to play an essential role in providing reliable, renewable energy to help meet the winter demands of homes and businesses across New Brunswick,” Coady adds. “A switch to treated pellets could fuel economic development and support our forestry, trucking, rail and shipping industries.”After all, converting NB Power’s Belledune Generating Station from coal to biomass is part of New Brunswick’s strategy to meet decarbonization goals, specifically to phase out all coal-fired electricity by 2030. “In the long term, our planning looks at biomass not as a stand-alone solution, but as part of a diverse mix that could include renewables like nuclear, hydro, wind and solar,” Coady adds. “The goal is to ensure that any biomass option we pursue is sustainable, cost-effective and aligned with our net-zero priorities.”Author: Keith Loria&nbsp; Contributing Writer, Pellet Mill Magazine

2025-10-20 - Bringing Black Pellets to Belledune (Biomass Magazine)

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New Brunswick’s Belledune Generating Station is testing advanced wood pellets to lower emissions and extend its operating life.

Bringing Black Pellets to Belledune

Bringing Black Pellets to Belledune

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