Thermal generation at NTPC is based on internal combustion engines, mostly diesel-fuelled.
Diesel is a non-renewable energy source -- meaning once it’s burned it’s gone for good. Diesel generator-sets, like your truck engine, use energy released from the combustion of fuel. Instead of turning wheels on a vehicle, they spin a generator to create electricity. Diesel is a primary power source and is used to generate 22% of the power in the NWT.
Diesel is a very reliable source of power. In the NWT, reliability is important with our extreme temperatures. Diesel is low cost, but unfortunately has a higher impact on the environment.
93 Diesel Generators
There are 26 diesel plants in 26 communities that generate primary power in all non-hydro NWT communities, and for back-up power in the hydro communities.
1 Natural Gas Plant
Natural gas engines in Inuvik are supplied with fuel trucked to the site as Liquified Natural Gas (LNG).
3 Solar Installations
NTPC has three solar installations in the Thermal Division -- in Fort Simpson, Colville Lake, and Fort Liard. Production from our solar sites can be viewed online:
Fort Liard - coming soon!
This is a diesel engine at Jackfish.
