Business Context and Reporting Period
Company: TransAlta Corporation
Filing Type: Form 6-K (Report of Foreign Private Issuer)
Reporting Period: September 26, 2002
Business Overview: TransAlta is Canada's largest non-regulated electric generation and marketing company, with over $7 billion in assets and 9,000 megawatts of capacity in operation or under construction. The company focuses on developing coal- and gas-fired generation in Canada, the U.S., and Mexico.
Key Financial Metrics
The filing text does not provide specific values for revenue, profit, cash flow, margins, debt, or liquidity for the reporting period. The document contains only general asset and capacity figures:
- Total Assets: More than $7 billion
- Generation Capacity: 9,000 megawatts (in operation or under construction)
Material Changes
The primary material event reported is the decommissioning of a specific asset:
- Asset: Pierce Power Station (154-megawatt simple-cycle gas-fired facility).
- Location: Frederickson, Washington.
- Action: Removed from service as intended.
- Context: The plant was commissioned in August 2001 to alleviate a short-term power shortage in the Pacific Northwest.
Guidance, Outlook, and Risks
Management Commentary: The decommissioning of the Pierce Power Station was executed as planned following its temporary role in addressing regional power shortages. The company continues to position itself as one of North America's lowest-cost operators.
Outlook: Growth remains focused on developing coal- and gas-fired generation projects across Canada, the U.S., and Mexico.
Risks and Contingencies: The filing does not explicitly detail new risks or contingencies beyond the operational conclusion of the temporary Pierce Power Station.
Key Facts for Investor Verification
- Confirm the impact of the Pierce Power Station decommissioning on total operational capacity and revenue streams.
- Verify the current status of the 9,000 megawatts of capacity cited (operational vs. under construction).
- Review subsequent filings for specific financial performance metrics (revenue, EBITDA, cash flow) not included in this press release.
- Assess the company's pipeline for new coal- and gas-fired projects in the stated target markets.