Brandon Generating Station
{{Infobox power station
|name = Brandon Generating Station
|image = Brandon GS Combustion Turbines.JPG
|image_caption = Natural-gas fired combustion turbine building at Brandon GS
|country = Canada
| coordinates = {{coord|49|50|43|N|99|53|21|W|region:CA_type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
|owner = Manitoba Hydro
|status = O
|th_fuel_primary = Natural gas
|th_technology = Steam turbine Gas turbine
|th_combined_cycle =
|ps_electrical_capacity= 340 MW
|commissioned = 1958
|decommissioned =
}}
Brandon Generating Station is a natural gas-fired power station owned by Manitoba Hydro, located in Brandon, Manitoba, Canada. The station was first built to burn lignite from Saskatchewan.
On 1 January 2010, Unit 5, the sole coal-fired unit, was downgraded to emergency use only, per section 16 of the Manitoba Climate Change and Emissions Reductions Act.{{Cite web |url=http://web2.gov.mb.ca/laws/statutes/ccsm/c135e.php |title=Manitoba Climate Change and Emissions Reductions Act |access-date=2011-06-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111123185826/http://web2.gov.mb.ca/laws/statutes/ccsm/c135e.php |archive-date=2011-11-23 |url-status=dead }}{{Cite web |url=http://hydro.mb.ca/regulatory_affairs/brandon/brandon_eis_vol5.pdf |title=Brandon Generating Station – Unit 5 Environmental Impact Statement Volume 5 – Amendments to Manitoba Hydro's Environment Act Licence Review Submission |access-date=2011-06-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110818044844/http://hydro.mb.ca/regulatory_affairs/brandon/brandon_eis_vol5.pdf |archive-date=2011-08-18 |url-status=dead }} Unit 5 was permitted to operate as a generator only under certain circumstances:Coal-Fired Emergency Operations Regulation {{cite web|url=http://web2.gov.mb.ca/laws/regs/pdf/c135-186.09.pdf |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2011-06-15 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120318010236/http://web2.gov.mb.ca/laws/regs/pdf/c135-186.09.pdf |archivedate=2012-03-18 }}
- To prevent a situation which would lead to a disruption or destabilization of the power supply.
- In drought years where demand exceeds forecasted supply.
- To maintain the generator in a state of readiness and availability.
The last allowance required Unit 5 to operate for 3–4 days each month at 10–15% of maximum capacity. Unit 5 stopped burning coal on August 1, 2018, and was converted to a synchronous condenser.Abigail Turner, [https://globalnews.ca/news/4829502/manitoba-hydro-coal/ "Manitoba no longer using coal for power,"] Global News, January 9, 2019
Description
The station consists of:{{Cite web |url=http://www.industcards.com/st-coal-canada.htm# |title=Plant Description |access-date=2010-03-28 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121205091754/http://www.industcards.com/st-coal-canada.htm# |archive-date=2012-12-05 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=https://www.hydro.mb.ca/corporate/facilities/generating_stations/#brandon |title =Generating Stations|access-date=16 February 2023}}
- 4 x 33 MW units (In 1996 three units were retired, and the last retired in 2001)
- 1 x 105 MW coal-fired unit. (Added in 1970, and Converted to Synchronous Condenser operation in 2018)
- 2 x 140 MW Alstom natural gas units (installed in 2002).