Policy
Government to Invest $45.3 Million to Decrease Energy Costs at 3 Canadian Division Support Base Edmonton
Mishall RehmanAbove image: An aerial view of the Edmonton Garrison.Pilots with 408 Tactical Helicopter Squadron perform routine training in a CH-146 Griffon helicopter on January 30, 2023 at Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Edmonton, Alberta. Photo by: MCpl Cass Moon, Canadian Forces Imagery Technician. Image courtesy of CAF.
The Government of Canada is investing $45.3 million at 3 Canadian Division Support Base (CDSB) Edmonton to decrease energy costs and emissions.
More than 100 buildings comprising 3 Canadian Division Support Base (CDSB) Edmonton will be getting a makeover thanks to a $45.3 million investment the government plans to pour into the base.
The contract is part of the energy performance contract (EPC) project, which will upgrade 124 buildings to decrease energy costs and emissions. Ameresco Inc. of Richmond, ON was awarded the contract to perform the work.
“The Canadian Armed Forces of Edmonton have always answered the call of service — from training Ukraine’s heroes, to supporting Canadians in need during forest fires. As our strategies adapt to meet the demands of our ever-changing environment, this means upgrading our base infrastructure to reduce emissions and support our green industry. This investment is one step towards improving our training facilities and making them resilient for a net zero future,” said Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages and Member of Parliament for Edmonton Centre.
The military says the facility will remain open during the repairs and not hinder military operations.
Reducing Greenhouse Emissions
According to a press release by the Department of National Defence (DND), the upgraded buildings will reduce the Garrison’s energy costs by 21 per cent, or $2 million annually. It is also expected the upgrades will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by almost 5,200 tonnes per year.
DND says the upgrades will include:
- LED lighting upgrades,
- modernized heating and cooling equipment,
- replace fossil fuel heating systems with low-carbon alternatives,
- upgraded building envelopes,
- high-efficiency water fixtures,
- renewable energy installations, and more.
The savings should appear on bills by the end of this year, says the military, with a total reduction in costs by 2026, when the upgrades are expected to be completed.
“The Canadian Armed Forces deserve modern, clean, and energy-efficient infrastructure that gets the job done. By investing in upgrades and retrofits to our infrastructure, we are supporting green industry in Canada, reducing our greenhouse gas emissions, and cutting energy costs. We will continue to make investments like this, ensuring that our personnel have the facilities that they need to train so that they are always ready to protect Canadians,” said Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence.
EPC Contracts
There have been 15 EPC contracts across CAF bases since 2015. Bases impacted include:
- Greenwood,
- Esquimalt,
- Petawawa,
- Valcartier and
- Bagotville and more.
EPC projects are currently underway at:
- Comox,
- Borden,
- Kingston,
- Shilo,
- Halifax,
- Alert,
- Gagetown and
- Edmonton, as well as
- a second EPC at Valcartier.
Contracts are in the works at:
- Trenton,
- St-Jean,
- Montreal,
- Winnipeg,
- Wainwright,
- Dundurn,
- Gander, and
- Goose Bay.
EPCs are undertaken by an energy services company. DND uses the savings from the projects to pay back the company over a “five-to-15-year period, limiting upfront costs for the government,” says DND.
