Algoma Steel Group Inc. has provided an update on the previously announced unplanned outage at its Lake Superior Power (LSP) generating facility, confirming that electric arc furnace (EAF) steel production resumed on August 29 under interim operating arrangements developed in coordination with the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO).
Since its previous update on August 17, Algoma has worked closely with the IESO to establish temporary power arrangements that have enabled the company to restart EAF operations while the affected LSP turbine remains unavailable. The company is currently maintaining sustained steel production under these arrangements, including during certain planned work on Ontario’s provincial electricity system.
Algoma is producing and shipping steel within the parameters of the interim arrangements. The IESO is reviewing upcoming planned power system outages with the objective of minimising potential interruptions to Algoma’s steelmaking operations while maintaining the safety and reliability of Ontario’s electricity system.
At the same time, Algoma is pursuing several alternatives to restore full generating capacity at the LSP facility as quickly as possible. These include repairing the affected turbine and returning it to service, as well as securing a replacement turbine. The company is working with GE and other parties to advance both options in parallel and determine the most effective and timely solution.
Algoma continues to assess the potential effects of the outage on production and shipments while implementing multiple mitigation measures. The eventual impact will depend on the timing and execution of these measures, which are intended to reduce potential disruptions to steelmaking operations.
Based in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Algoma is a Canadian producer of steel plate and hot-rolled sheet products serving sectors including energy, defence, automotive, shipbuilding and infrastructure. The company is undergoing a major transition to EAF steelmaking, supported by Ontario’s electricity grid, alongside the modernisation of its plate mill.
The EAF transition is expected to reduce Algoma’s carbon emissions by approximately 70% once fully implemented, making it one of the significant industrial decarbonisation initiatives in North America. The company has introduced Volta™ as the brand for steel produced using its EAF technology, offering customers the performance associated with Algoma steel with significantly lower emissions.
Algoma said its investments in EAF steelmaking, technology and process modernisation are intended to strengthen Canadian supply chains while supporting the company’s long-term competitiveness and sustainability. With more than a century of steelmaking experience, the company continues to invest in its workforce, operations and technologies to meet the evolving requirements of domestic and international customers.
