Dolter Rebutts Pipeline Online Critique on Coal Refurbishment Analysis

Dr. Brett Dolter, an associate professor at the University of Regina and expert on coal-fired power generation, has responded to criticism from Pipeline Online regarding his analysis published by the C.D. Howe Institute. The original piece compared the cost of refurbishing coal plants with replacing them with nuclear small modular reactors (SMRs) or natural gas power plants.

Dolter's rebuttal addresses several points made in Pipeline Online's critique, including the feasibility of replacing coal-fired capacity and the accuracy of his analysis. He argues that his comparison is valid because it considers like-for-like options for replacing coal-fired electricity generation and provides comparable dispatchable power and equivalent electricity generation.

Dolter also clarifies that his scenarios are not a complete supply plan for SaskPower, but rather an evaluation of specific options to replace the coal plants. He addresses several criticisms from Pipeline Online, including concerns about the cost of fuel for coal and nuclear power, as well as outdated pricing assumptions for natural gas plants.

Ultimately, Dolter's rebuttal reinforces his original argument that refurbishing coal plants is not a viable or cost-effective option in the long term, and that replacing them with SMRs or other forms of renewable energy could provide a more sustainable solution.