Suncor Plans Expansion of Sarnia Ethanol Plant

Suncor Energy Inc. has decided to go ahead with a US$ 120 million expansion of its St. Clair ethanol plant in Sarnia. The company said the expansion will double the plant’s existing production capacity to 400 million litres per year. “This investment reinforces Suncor’s commitment to biofuels and providing the renewable energy options that consumers demand,” executive vice-president Jay Thornton said in a release.The Calgary-based company said it expects about 250 construction jobs to be created during the upgrade — expected to be completed in 2009. The St. Clair ethanol plant, in production since 2006, is the largest of its kind in Canada. The expansion is part of Suncor’s plan to invest US$ 750 million in renewable energy initiatives by 2012. So far, the company has spent about US$ 250 million on wind power projects in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Ontario as well as the first phase of ethanol production at St. Clair.

Project Name

Sarnia Ethanol Plant

Location

Sarnia

Commence

2006

Completion

2009

Estimated Investment

US$120 million

Capacity

400 million litres

Key Players

Suncor Energy Inc