Prime Minister Stephen Harper made Domtar's Green Transformation funding announcement during a quick stop in Dryden, May 22.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper himself announced funding for a project to increase energy self-sufficiency at Dryden’s Domtar pulp operations, May 22.

The $22.7 million project will be used to install a second steam condenser to operate its waste wood boilers at a higher capacity and its turbine more efficiently. A second high pressure turbogenerator will be installed to increase the production of electricity from high temperature steam generated by the recovery boiler.

The two measures are expected to generate 128,400 mega-watt hours of electricity per year – nearly balancing the mill’s production and consumption of energy.

“We are grateful to Natural Resources Canada for their support under this program,” said Dryden mill manager Jim Blight. “As we prepare the groundwork for this important mill upgrade and celebrate this announcement, we also recognize our people’s efforts to improve our safety performance and cost structure.”

Arriving under the banner of Centennial celebrations at the Dryden Air Show, the Prime Minister spoke on forestry’s importance to the history and the future of the area.

“The pulp and paper industry has been an important part of Dryden since it became a town back in 1910,” said Harper. “We are proud to mark the centennial of the city by helping ensure the Dryden Mill remains efficient, competitive, environmentally friendly and open for business well into the future.”