2007 Annual Report

Selected highlights from EPCOR's 2007 Annual Report:

Operating at peak performance

• In Ontario, EPCOR's Kingsbridge I wind power project was the province's best performing wind farm as measured by capacity factor from December 2006 to November 2007.
• EPCOR's partnership with the District of Sooke, British Columbia, now protects the local marine environment of Sooke Harbour and Basin. The collaboration was recognized by the Canadian Council of Public-Private Partnerships in 2007.
• Automated meter reading in Edmonton has allowed EPCOR to collect information more frequently, accurately and safely.  It also eliminated the use of paper and improved efficiency.
• Our Edmonton Distribution and Transmission operation received ISO 14001 re-certification, and was recognized in an audit for a strong commitment to continual improvement and environmental performance at all levels.

Reducing our environmental footprint

• Fly ash from coal combustion at EPCOR's Genesee Generating Station is now being recycled into concrete, strengthening roads and runways while preventing several hundred thousand tonnes  of greenhouse emissions from entering the atmosphere annually.
• The United States Environmental Protection Agency's Combined Heat and Power Partnership recognized EPCOR-operated plants for their low-emission performance.
• EPCOR offers resources such as online water and energy audit tools, conservation guides, and appliance manuals that help customers reduce their impact on the environment. In Edmonton, residents use 50% less water per person than those in cities without water meters, and 15% less than those in large metered Canadian cities.
• EPCOR is actively working to create a cleaner future. The commercialization of coal gasification technology moved another step ahead in 2007 when Natural Resources Canada joined EPCOR and the Alberta Energy and Research Institute as a one-third partner on the front-end engineering and design of a near-zero emission power plant.

Putting people first

• EPCOR has been named a Top 100 Canadian Employer for the eighth consecutive year from a field of 72,000 companies. For the third year running, we were also recognized as an Alberta Top 35 Employer.
• Health and safety are our constant priorities. We continually assess the way jobs are done, and look for new approaches that will lead to improved safety practices. Our efforts are focused on creating a zero injury culture where every EPCOR workplace is safe.
• We have taken an active role in backing Canada's elite athletes, as Official Supplier of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games and the Canadian Olympic Team.

Growing our business with an eye to the future

• 2007 was the first full year of construction on Keephills 3, a 495 MW supercritical plant EPCOR co-owns with TransAlta that will provide baseload power to meet Alberta's growing population.
• In Edmonton, EPCOR is building critical power and water infrastructure to help address the city's growth. The E.L. Smith Water Treatment Plant capacity addition - designed to add 25% to the region's treated water supply - is scheduled for completion in 2008.
• To further shore up Edmonton's infrastructure for the future, we began installation of a 10.5km power transmission line from EPCOR's Castle Downs Substation in Edmonton's north end to the Victoria Substation on the edge of the downtown core.