GE Gas-fired Turbines to power Algoma Steel's shift to Electric Arc Furnaces

Staff and Wire Reports

A Canadian rolled steel sheet and plate manufacturer is contracting GE Gas Power to install two gas-turbines and related equipment for its combined cycle power plant.

Algoma Steel Group awarded the gas-turbine package deal for its facility in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. The internal generation will power phase one of Algoma’s transition to electric arc furnace steelmaking.

Under the terms of the contract, GE will provide two LM6000 aero derivative gas turbines complete with new control systems as well as a new control system for the existing GE steam turbine. In addition, GE will also complete a full rewind on the No. 2 Generator.

“Our transformation to EAF steelmaking and green steel products includes the upgrade of our internal electricity generation capacity, and we are pleased to partner with industry leader General Electric to complete this important milestone,” said Michael McQuade, Algoma’s CEO. “The project also reflects Algoma’s continued commitment to our community by engaging local contractors to support the installation.”

Local contractors from Sault Ste. Marie and area will be engaged for the equipment installation.

Algoma Steel expects the project to be completed in the spring of 2023, a full year before the scheduled commissioning of the new electric arc furnaces. At full capacity, the refurbished cogeneration facility is designed to have the ability to generate 110 MW of electricity, up from its current capacity of 34 MW.

In November, Algoma Steel’s board of directors announced the company will replace its existing blast furnace and basic oxygen steel operations to two electric arc furnaces. The move is expected to cut Algoma’s carbon emissions by about 70 percent.

The facility is planned to produce about 3.7 million tons of raw steel annually once the transition to electric arc furnaces is completed.

“We are proud to support Algoma in their energy transition program to help them become a leader in the production of steel with more efficient gas technologies and bring more flexible and lower-carbon power for their industrial process,” said Eric Gray, CEO of GE Gas Power for the Americas.

The iron and steelmaking industries account for close to between 7 and 9 percent of global carbon emissions, according to various reports. Electrification of historically fossil-fired internal manufacturing processes could reduce that air pollution significantly.