Evidence of meeting #31 for Foreign Affairs and International Development in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was siemens.
A video is available from Parliament.
3:55 p.m.
Liberal
Rachel Bendayan Liberal Outremont, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I'd also like to thank the witnesses.
I'd like to begin by saying that I'm particularly proud of the experts at Siemens Energy Canada, which has facilities in Montreal. I know that Ms. Damoff, who represents Oakville North—Burlington, is also proud of those in her riding.
I see that we have some technical difficulties on the translation. I believe you're probably more comfortable in English, sir, so I'll ask you a few questions in English today.
I'll begin with a comment you made in your introduction, which I found very interesting. It was that your role was to provide information to the government, not political advice. I'd like to use the time with you here today to seek some more technical information. I understand that you're an engineer as well.
On September 26, there were explosions in the Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 pipelines. I understand that Nord Stream 1 was completely disabled by the explosion. Can you give us a sense of what the damage was to Nord Stream 1 versus Nord Stream 2?
3:55 p.m.
Managing Director, Siemens Energy Canada Limited
Thank you for your question.
I prefer to do this in English. You are correct.
I cannot comment on any damage that was done to any pipelines, whether Nord Stream 1 or Nord Stream 2.
3:55 p.m.
Liberal
Rachel Bendayan Liberal Outremont, QC
Perhaps I might ask, then, sir, if the turbine would be useful at this point for Nord Stream 1, given the current circumstances and the fact that damage was caused to that pipeline to the point that I understand it's unusable.
4 p.m.
Managing Director, Siemens Energy Canada Limited
As long as the pipeline is not operable, the gas turbines would not provide any use.
4 p.m.
Liberal
Rachel Bendayan Liberal Outremont, QC
The turbines in question were meant for which pipeline, Nord Stream 1 or Nord Stream 2?
4 p.m.
Liberal
Rachel Bendayan Liberal Outremont, QC
As a result, would they be useful elsewhere, or are turbines made specifically for a specific pipeline?
4 p.m.
Managing Director, Siemens Energy Canada Limited
For the air derivative gas turbines, we use them for various purposes.
Power generation is one of them. Industrial applications is another, and when I talk about industrial applications, a gas turbine is basically used as a mechanical driver for compressors, and those compressors can be utilized in compression stations in pipelines to forward natural gas, for instance. It could also be utilized in LNG facilities, where you have a process of refrigerating natural gas, and that also involves compressors.
We're distinguishing between mechanical drive applications and applications where the gas turbine is coupled to a generator. It is not easy to repurpose one asset from a pipeline operation, let's say, to a power generation application, because of technicalities of software. There are modifications that are required to the asset to make that happen, and we're talking about really highly complex technical energy engineering assets.
This whole aircraft engine.... As you know, it's a high-technology piece. It has sophisticated materials. It spins at high rpms—up to 9,000 rpms—and is precise up to thousandths of a millimetre. One engine alone, if attached to a generator, could produce electricity for about 100,000 homes, just to give you an idea. It's highly complex, and it's not easy to take a unit from one application and put it into another one.
4 p.m.
Liberal
Rachel Bendayan Liberal Outremont, QC
I understand, and thank you for getting into some of that complexity.
What I'm trying to understand, then, is this. If Nord Stream 1 was punctured to the extent that has been reported—and I believe we've all seen the public reports regarding the extent of the damage to Nord Stream 1—can you let us know what the use is of this particular turbine at this point?
4 p.m.
Managing Director, Siemens Energy Canada Limited
At this point, if a pipeline is not functional, then a compression station cannot operate. I cannot speculate about the future.
4 p.m.
Managing Director, Siemens Energy Canada Limited
The turbine is sitting there, basically.
4 p.m.
Liberal
Rachel Bendayan Liberal Outremont, QC
It is not being used, and it is not useful, if I understand correctly.
4 p.m.
Liberal
4 p.m.
Bloc
Sébastien Lemire Bloc Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I'd also like to thank you for your welcome.
In this study, the question that remains is how far Russia will go to test the resolve of Europe and its NATO allies. As my colleague Stéphane Bergeron pointed out at the last meeting, we expected more support for Ukraine if this waiver were granted.
Given that Canada is clearly not in a position to supply natural gas to Europe in time for winter, and that turbine repairs won't force Gazprom to send enough gas to Europe this winter, what role does Canada play in, or should be playing, to support Ukraine and Europe and allow them to move forward?
4 p.m.
Managing Director, Siemens Energy Canada Limited
We are an energy technology company. We are involved in the operations at AGT. We maintain the turbines. We cannot speculate on what alternative energy solutions need to be put in place to support Europe through the winter.
4 p.m.
Bloc
Sébastien Lemire Bloc Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC
Do you consider Gazprom to be a reliable business partner?
4 p.m.
Managing Director, Siemens Energy Canada Limited
I cannot comment on that question.
4:05 p.m.
Bloc
Sébastien Lemire Bloc Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC
Were you paid to do the repairs, even though the turbines aren't being used?
