Algoma Steel’s electric arc furnace (EAF) in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, has been shut down due to a power outage. The company reported that the furnace was automatically taken offline upon detecting an abnormality, which is believed to be related to a turbine issue at the Lake Superior Generating Station.
In response to the situation, Algoma Steel has decided to expedite a maintenance outage originally scheduled for later this quarter while repair work is in progress. This strategic move aims to minimize overall downtime throughout the year and enhance the company’s operational readiness for the furnace restart.
The outage at Algoma Steel’s EAF is anticipated to extend for up to 21 days, affecting the production schedule. The Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO), responsible for managing Ontario’s power system, is collaborating with Algoma Steel to explore temporary alternative power solutions following the unexpected loss of the on-site generator.
Despite the EAF shutdown, Algoma Steel assures that its finishing operations will continue without disruption to customer orders during this period of downtime.