UPDATE 1-Petro-Canada begins shutting Edmonton refinery

CALGARY, Alberta, Aug 5 (Reuters) - Petro-Canada (PCA.TO) said on Tuesday it has begun closing down its 125,000 barrel per day refinery in Edmonton, Alberta, ramping up to a full closure over the next week, as it launches a planned 60-day maintenance shutdown to tie in new equipment.

Petro-Canada's Kelli Stevens said the company has closed the catalytic cracker at the refinery and the remaining units will soon follow.

The company is shutting the facility in order to complete its C$2.5 billion ($2.4 billion) refinery conversion project. The retooling will allow the refinery to process crude and heavy oils derived from Alberta's oil sands.

Stevens said the company has lined up alternative supplies for customers while the refinery is closed.

"We'll continue with essentially normal supply," she said. "Arrangements were made well in advance of the turnaround."

The Edmonton refinery is one of two owned by Petro-Canada. It also operates a 130,000 bpd facility in Montreal.

($1=$1.04 Canadian) (Reporting by Scott Haggett; editing by Rob Wilson)