M3
M3 is a coal-to-gas expansion project for the existing M1 facility, comprised of an 86 MW natural gas-fired cogeneration power plant to be located adjacent to M1. M3 will increase generating capacity at the Milner site while reducing the total greenhouse gases and air emissions from current levels.
Exhaust energy from M3's gas turbines will be converted to steam and utilized to generate electricity in the existing M1 steam turbine, displacing coal-sourced steam. Before giving effect to the development of M2, M3 will increase the nameplate capacity at the Milner site from 150 MW to 236 MW. Total emissions of carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides and particulates at the M1 site will decrease compared to running the existing M1. In 2015, MAXIM has received approval from the AUC and Alberta Environment and Parks ("AEP") to construct and operate M3.
D1
MAXIM has received regulatory approvals to construct and operate D1, a 190 MW natural gas- fired peaking facility. In May 2015, MAXIM received further regulatory approval to construct and operate the Skaro substation for D1. MAXIM has entered into agreements to secure firm natural gas transportation service for D1. MAXIM expects that full-scale construction of the facility would commence pending improved prices in the Alberta power market and satisfactory commercial arrangements.
M2
MAXIM has received the AUC's and AEP's approval to convert the fuel source for its proposed M2 project from coal to natural gas and to increase the generating capacity of the proposed expansion from 500 MW to 520 MW. The M2 facility is to be located adjacent to the existing 150 MW M1. The existing infrastructure at the M1 site allows MAXIM to leverage benefits including electrical connection, fuel delivery, water licenses, and a skilled operations team.
Forked River
MAXIM continues to advance expansion initiatives at its Forked River site in New Jersey. MAXIM owns approximately 32 acres of land adjacent to the existing facility that can accommodate an additional greenfield expansion. This site is being evaluated for supporting natural gas, water and electrical interconnection infrastructure.
Summit Coal Limited Partnership ("SUMMIT")
SUMMIT is MAXIM's development initiative located north of Grande Cache, Alberta that owns metallurgical coal leases for Mine 14 ("M14") and Mine 16S ("M16S"). Current estimates for M14 are 18.9 million tonnes of low-mid volatile metallurgical coal reserves with a mine life of 17 years based on the NI 43-101 Technical Report filed on SEDAR on March 21, 2013. M16S is located 30 kilometers northwest of M14 and represents 1,792 hectares or 29% of SUMMIT's total area of coal leases. A NI 43-101 Technical Report has not been prepared for M16S.
M14 is permitted for a run-of-mine production rate of up to 1,300,000 tonnes per year. MAXIM has also received approval from the Alberta Energy Regulator to construct and operate a Coal Beneficiation Plant. This Coal Beneficiation Plant, to be located on MAXIM's existing M1 industrial complex, will bifurcate M14's run-of-mine coal into an estimated annual production of 950,000 tonnes of high-quality, low-mid volatile and metallurgical coal for shipment to export markets. These approvals provide SUMMIT with all of the requisite government and regulatory approvals to construct and operate M14. In November 2014, MAXIM received delivery of five pieces of mine equipment including two continuous miners and three shuttle cars. The units are in storage awaiting development of M14.
Buffalo Atlee ("B1")
MAXIM acquired the B1 Power Project, situated near Brooks, Alberta, through an amalgamation with EarthFirst Canada Inc. This project has the potential for development of up to 200 MW of wind generation capacity. The addition of wind generation to MAXIM's existing portfolio of assets would diversify further potential changes to MAXIM's generation fuel types and provide the potential to offset the impact of potential provincial emissions legislation, once enacted.
CONFERENCE CALL FOR Q4 2015 RESULTS
MAXIM will host a conference call for analysts and investors on Tuesday, March 29, 2016 at 11:00 am MDT. The call will be hosted by John Bobenic, MAXIM's President and Chief Executive Officer, Mike Mayder, Senior Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer and Tim Workman, Vice President and Controller. To participate in this conference call, please dial (877) 291-4570 or (647) 788-4919 in the Toronto area and refer to MAXIM's Q4 Results call. It is recommended that participants call at least ten minutes prior to start time.
A recording of the conference call will be available from March 29, 2016 to April 3, 2016. To access the replay, dial (800) 585-8367 or (416) 621-4642 followed by conference ID 71979036. In addition, the recording will be available commencing March 29, 2016 in the Investor Relations section of MAXIM's website at www.maximpowercorp.com.
About MAXIM
Based in Calgary, Alberta, MAXIM is an independent power producer, which acquires or develops, owns and operates innovative and environmentally responsible power and power related projects. MAXIM currently owns and operates 39 power plants in Alberta, the United States and France, having 778 MW of electric generating capacity. MAXIM trades on the TSX under the symbol "MXG". For more information about MAXIM, visit our website at www.maximpowercorp.com.
Statements in this release which describe MAXIM's intentions, expectations or predictions, or which relate to matters that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties which may cause the actual results, performances or achievements of MAXIM to be materially different from any future results, performances or achievements expressed in or implied by such forward- looking statements. MAXIM may update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or changing market and business conditions and will update such forward-looking statements as required pursuant to applicable securities laws.
Contacts: John R. Bobenic President and CEO (403) 750-9300 Michael R. Mayder Senior Vice President, Finance and CFO (403) 750-9311
