The Forks Renewal Corporation is cutting the use of natural gas in its buildings in downtown Winnipeg, Manitoba with a geothermal energy system funded in part by the Government of Canada’s Low Carbon Economy Fund.
Daniel Vandal, Minister of Northern Affairs, on behalf of the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, announced that the Forks Renewal Corporation is receiving approximately $1.8 million to build a district geothermal system that will provide heating and cooling to its buildings in downtown Winnipeg. The Corporation is also contributing close to $2.7 million to this project.
“Today’s announcement highlights some of the important work led by Canadian businesses such as the Forks Renewal Corporation to build a cleaner and healthier future,” said Vandal. “Leadership on strategic projects like the one announced today will make sure Canada exceeds its target and achieves net-zero emissions by 2050.”
The new system will eliminate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by replacing gas consumption as a heating and cooling fuel source for the Forks Renewal Corporation buildings. The district geothermal system is also designed to allow future expansion to service other buildings and planned new developments on the Forks site. Over the lifetime of this project, the Forks Renewal Corporation will see a cumulative reduction of approximately 26,000 tonnes of GHG—equivalent to saving about 11 million litres of gasoline.
The federal funding comes from the Partnerships stream of the Government of Canada’s Low Carbon Economy Challenge, which invests in projects that reduce carbon pollution and supports industries to put in place clean technologies that will help them be more efficient and innovative. The Partnerships stream provides up to $50 million in funding to Indigenous communities and organizations, small and medium-sized businesses, not-for-profit organizations, and small municipalities.
“Railside at The Forks is an important project full of big ideas and amazing public spaces. It will also create employment opportunities, add a variety of additional housing, provide economic return, celebrate culture and more,” said Sara Stasiuk, VP of finance and operations for The Forks North Portage.
According to Stasiuk, the district geothermal system was key to the vision for Railside as a green development and as part of our overall Target Zero goals. “The financial support from the federal government through the Low Carbon Economy Fund is instrumental in making this possible. We thank Minister Vandal for his support and his government’s ongoing commitment to the environment.”
For further information, visit: The Forks Geothermal Heat Pump System
Featured image: The Forks Farmers Market in Winnipeg, Manitoba from TheForks.com.
