Bluewater Health proceeding with cost-saving cogeneration plant

Source: Josh Boyce · BLACKBURN NEWS · | September 14, 2020

Bluewater Health hospital in Sarnia. 9 September 2020. (BlackburnNews.com photo by Colin Gowdy)

Years in planning, Bluewater Health is moving ahead with the installation of a new cogeneration plant at its Norman Street site.

GHD Contractors Limited is undertaking a series of crane lifts to install structural steel, electrical transformers, and mechanical piping equipment on the roof of the building.

Bluewater Health Director of Facilities Alex Sullo said they’ve budgeted $5 million for the project which includes incentives from utility partners Union Gas and Bluewater Power totalling about $1.2 million.

He said they’re doing their best to eliminate any impact on hospital visitors.

“The emergency department will not be impacted, and pedestrian traffic will still be able to flow through the area,” said Sullo. “There will be Bluewater Health guards located at each end to assist people. We’re asking the public to refrain from using that thoroughfare from Norman Street to Maria Street to London Road.”

The lifts will take place throughout the day on September 15, 23, 25, 29 and 30 as well as October 5/6, 14/15, 19 and 26.

Sullo said the cogeneration plant will use a natural gas engine to produce electricity and heat which is projected to offset 800 kilowatt-hours of power consumption on a daily basis.