Canada’s Algoma Steel has suspended production at its electric arc furnace (EAF) following an unplanned outage at its Lake Superior Power (LSP) generating facility in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.
One of LSP’s turbine units was automatically taken offline after detecting an abnormal condition, while the remaining units were unaffected. Algoma said technical teams and external specialists are assessing the equipment and repair options.
Downstream finishing and shipping operations continue, and the company does not expect a significant impact on committed customer deliveries based on current inventory and orders. However, future shipment volumes may be affected.
Algoma expects the EAF outage to last no more than 21 days, based on the anticipated commissioning of a contracted spare turbine. The company is also working with the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) on an alternative onsite power supply arrangement that, if approved, could allow EAF operations to restart within around 10 days.
Algoma is working with GE Vernova to mobilize and commission the spare turbine under its long-term service agreement. The company is also bringing forward scheduled maintenance at LSP and other operations during the outage.
Headquartered in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Algoma Steel is a major Canadian steel producer established in 1901. The company has transitioned from legacy blast furnaces to electric arc furnaces (EAF), with annual raw steel capacity of around 3.7 mln tons. Algoma produces hot-rolled sheet and plate products, including heat-treated and abrasion-resistant grades, supplying the automotive, construction, defence, energy and infrastructure sectors mainly in Canada and North America.