FORM 6-K

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

Report of Foreign Private Issuer

Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the month of August, 2002

TRANSALTA CORPORATION

(Translation of registrant's name into English)

110-12^th Avenue S.W., Box 1900, Station "M", Calgary, Alberta, T2P 2M1

(Address of principal executive offices)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.

Form 20-F____ Form 40-F X

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Yes ..... No ..X...

If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82-________

EXHIBITS

TransAlta powers up Washington gas-fired power plant

CALGARY, Alberta (Aug. 12, 2002) ­ TransAlta Corporation (TSX: TA; NYSE: TAC) today announced the official start up of its Big Hanaford power plant ­ on time and on budget. The 248-megawatt natural gas combined-cycle facility is located on the site of TransAlta's 1,404-megawatt coal-fired plant in Centralia, Washington.

"This is another milestone as we strengthen our position in the important U.S. Pacific Northwest power market," said Steve Snyder, TransAlta president and CEO.

TransAlta announced the Cdn$340 million (US$215 million) Big Hanaford project on Feb. 5, 2001 and started construction on April 10, 2001.

TransAlta Corporation is Canada's largest non-regulated electric generation and marketing company, with more than $7 billion in assets and 9,000 megawatts of capacity in operation or under construction. As one of North America's lowest-cost operators, our growth is focused on developing coal- and gas-fired generation in Canada, the U.S. and Mexico.

This news release may contain forward-looking statements, including statements regarding the business and anticipated financial performance of TransAlta Corporation. These statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. Some of the factors that could cause such differences include legislative or regulatory developments, competition, global capital markets activity, changes in prevailing interest rates, currency exchange rates, inflation levels and general economic conditions in geographic areas where TransAlta Corporation operates.

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For more information:

Signatures

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

TransAlta Corporation

(Registrant)

By:/s/ Alison Love

(Signature)

Alison Love, Corporate Secretary

Date: August 12, 2002