Catalyst Paper Corporation
The Story
Catalyst Paper Corporation (Catalyst), operator of five pulp and paper mills in British Columbia and BC Hydro's largest customer, has implemented a corporate energy management program with the goal of creating annualized, sustainable electricity savings of $5 million by the end of 2006.
The Situation
Catalyst Paper Corporation is a producer of pulp and paper products with sales of $1.8 billion per year. In B.C., Catalyst operates two integrated pulp and paper mills and one paper mill on Vancouver Island, one paper mill on the Sunshine Coast and one de-inking facility in the Lower Mainland.
In the past, Catalyst enjoyed a competitive advantage in part due to the fact that BC Hydro's electricity rates are the third lowest in North America. Consequently, corporate efforts focused instead on reducing thermal energy fuel costs.
When BC Hydro introduced the Transmission Service Rate (Stepped Rates) in April 2006, Catalyst saw an opportunity to reduce costs by focusing on electricity and conservation. At the same time, because of the company's general scarcity of capital, it was important that energy savings projects not involve high capital costs and be achievable through low-cost or no-cost measures. Catalyst decided to partner with BC Hydro to develop a corporate energy management plan.
The Solution
Catalyst's energy management program, called Power Watchers, is supported by two corporate energy managers who are co-funded by BC Hydro's Power Smart Industrial Energy Manager initiative. The energy managers support a comprehensive program that includes the identification and implementation of no-cost and low-cost energy savings initiatives at the five mills. They work with energy committees at each mill to generate and implement site specific ideas and employee awareness.
The Benefits
Catalyst has so far identified or completed energy savings opportunities totalling more than $5 million in annual electrical energy cost savings through its energy management program.
Contact Us
Find out how Power Smart can energize your bottom line. Call us today at 604 453-6400 in the Lower Mainland or 1 866 453-6400 elsewhere in B.C. or contact us.
