EDMONTON, AB, July 31,
2024 /CNW/ - Canada is moving toward a more
reliable and efficient energy future by increasing generation
capacity to provide more affordable, reliable and clean energy to
homes and businesses when and where they need it. Investing in
clean energy projects and supporting communities to become
affordable, sustainable places to live are critical to delivering
good jobs and unlocking economic opportunities.
That is why today, the Honourable Randy Boissonnault, Minister
of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages and the
Member of Parliament for Edmonton Centre, on behalf of the
Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural
Resources, announced $23.7 million
through the Smart Renewables and Electrification Pathways Program
(SREPs) for the City of Edmonton's
district energy system in the neighbourhood of Blatchford. This
project will create an additional 13.1 MW of heating and 12.3 MW of
cooling capacity to the existing District Energy Sharing System
(DESS) to help accommodate development and growth within the
community.
The total project value is $79.2
million, with the remainder being provided by the
City of Edmonton. Blatchford is a
carbon-neutral community being developed on the site of the
decommissioned City Centre Airport in Edmonton. The project will improve the
efficiency and reliability of Blatchford's electricity supply. It
will also reduce impacts on peak electricity demand and cut
greenhouse gas emissions by providing reliable, renewable heating
and cooling energy.
This project includes installing an additional heat pump to
increase heating and cooling capacity, extending the
neighbourhood's distribution piping network, and designing and
building a new Sewer Heat Exchange Energy Centre, generating
heating and cooling energy for the growing community.
The Government of Canada will
continue to work with communities and municipalities, such as
Edmonton, to provide clean energy
and new technologies while creating new economic opportunities,
good jobs and a clean, reliable and affordable electrical grid for
all.
Quotes
"Energy efficiency means cost savings for Canadians across the
country. At a time when communities are facing challenges with
affordability and climate change — including the devastating
effects of the fires that raged through Jasper, Alberta, last week — the Government of
Canada is stepping up to meet
Canadians where they are at and deliver the action they need, at
the pace and scale they are demanding. The Blatchford district
energy project is a great example of an initiative to save people
money on home energy bills while seizing the economic opportunities
of a clean and sustainable economy."
The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson
Minister of Energy and Natural Resources
"Advances in geothermal capabilities are lowering costs,
promoting green heat and electricity and driving down
emissions in communities right across Canada. Today's $27.3-million investment in the Blatchford
District Energy System will give Edmontonians long-term access to
affordable, reliable and plentiful green thermal energy
sources."
The Honourable Randy Boissonnault
Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official
Languages
Member of Parliament for Edmonton Centre
"Edmonton is growing quickly.
We need to build more housing supported by sustainable
infrastructure that will last for generations. Blatchford is an
incredible opportunity to build comfortable, durable homes in an
amenity-rich central neighbourhood. This investment to expand
district energy generation capacity — along with recent Housing
Accelerator Funding to help connect district energy to Blatchford's
multi-unit housing — will go a long way in creating a more
resilient, inclusive city for everyone."
Amarjeet Sohi
Mayor, City of
Edmonton
Quick Facts
- This project is funded through the Government of Canada's Smart Renewables and Electrification
Pathways Program (SREPs). This $4.5-billion program is designed to significantly
reduce emissions and create sustainable jobs by continuing to
support the deployment of grid modernization, energy storage and
renewables in every region of Canada.
- SREPs is actively supporting Canada's ongoing transition to a net-zero
economy by 2050.
- Last year, the Government of Canada released Powering Canada
Forward, its vision for transforming Canada's electricity sector and meeting its
commitment to decarbonizing the country's electricity systems.
- Blatchford will eventually be home to up to 30,000 Edmontonians
living, working and learning in a sustainable community that uses
100-percent renewable energy, is carbon-neutral, significantly
reduces its ecological footprint and empowers residents to pursue a
range of sustainable lifestyle choices.
- Approximately 40 percent of Edmonton's greenhouse gas emissions come from
buildings. Blatchford homes will release fewer greenhouse gas
emissions (about 75 percent less) than homes in a typical
community.
- 2024 marks the fifth year of
successful operation for Blatchford's District Energy Sharing
System (DESS). At full buildout, it is anticipated to be one of the
largest ambient-temperature district energy systems in Canada, if not the largest.
- In addition to SREPs funding, Blatchford's District Energy
Sharing System is also one of the City of
Edmonton initiatives receiving support through the
Government of Canada's Housing
Accelerator Fund. This support will provide rebates to encourage
the integration of DESS infrastructure into buildings in the
Blatchford community, promoting sustainability and
energy-efficiency in multi-unit housing developments, so that even
more Edmontonians can call this green community home.
Related Information
- Blatchford
- Smart Renewables and Electrification Pathways Program
- Powering Canada Forward: Building a Clean, Affordable, and
Reliable Electricity System for Every Region in Canada
- 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan: Clean Air, Strong Economy
- Housing Accelerator Fund – Edmonton Action Plan
Initiatives
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SOURCE Natural Resources Canada