Two Canadian institutions are teaching students about the energy transition and leading by example. As a specialist in financing and managing decarbonization and energy-efficient renovation projects, SOFIAC supports Canadian businesses and institutions in their energy transition by covering 100 per cent of the costs and risks. The company helps reduce energy expenses and achieve ESG targets.

SOFIAC recently completed two major projects at Collège Bourget and Campus Notre-Dame-de-Foy, marking a significant step toward carbon neutrality in the education sector. Its innovative financing model, focused on energy efficiency and asset ownership transfer at project launch, showcases the potential of sustainable financing. This approach allows organizations, including educational institutions, to modernize their infrastructure without upfront investment while maintaining financial stability.

Driven by a shared commitment to the energy transition, these partnerships with SOFIAC and key players in Quebec’s energy ecosystem demonstrate that building decarbonization is not only possible but essential for a sustainable future.

Collège Bourget

The partnership with  Collège Bourget  led to the implementation of a large-scale decarbonization project, reinforcing a commitment to energy transition in educational institutions. Through this $4.8 million investment, Collège Bourget will achieve an impressive 87 per cent reduction in its greenhouse gas emissions (nearly 1,200 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent per year), making a meaningful impact in the fight against climate change.

In addition to its environmental impact, the project will generate $180,000 in annual energy savings for the College. These savings, resulting from improved efficiency, equate to a 37 per cent reduction in total energy consumption.

Collège Bourget, which hosts 2,000 students from preschool to high school, has been engaged in an ecological transition initiative since 2022 in collaboration with Lab22. As part of this effort, the College is self-financing an ambitious renovation of its aquatic complex. SOFIAC’s innovative approach came at the right time, unlocking the full decarbonization potential of the institution without burdening its financial statements.

SOFIAC’s unique financing model, centered on energy efficiency and transferring asset ownership at the project’s outset, enables organizations to modernize their infrastructure while maintaining financial stability.

Stéphane Amyot, director of Finance and Material Resources at Collège Bourget, stated: “This project, whose environmental impact will benefit current and future generations of the College, would not have been possible without SOFIAC’s financial and technical support.”

Christian G. Brosseau, president and CEO of SOFIAC, added: “SOFIAC commends the dynamic leadership of Collège Bourget’s management team and our partner C-nergie. This remarkable commitment greatly facilitated the development and mobilization of a project with significant environmental and social impacts. Realized in record time, this decarbonization project will hold a prominent place in SOFIAC’s investment portfolio for the next 15 years and beyond.”

The energy efficiency measures will be implemented by C-Nergie, SOFIAC’s technical partner. Financial support from Environnement Québec, Énergir, and Hydro-Québec will complement SOFIAC’s investment to bring the project to fruition.

Campus Notre-Dame-de-Foy

Campus Notre-Dame-de-Foy (CNDF), a college located in the greater Québec City area, implemented concrete and sustainable energy performance measures. The project, which will require more than $5,7 million in investment from SOFIAC, excluding subsidies, will enable CNDF to undergo a deep energy transition and achieve a reduction of over 40 per cent in the college’s building-related carbon emissions.

With its seven distinct buildings spread across a campus large enough to hold 35 football fields, CNDF resembles a small American college campus. Designated as a heritage site, it is one of the most beautiful educational settings in Quebec, situated on a cliff between the St. Lawrence River and Lake Saint-Augustin. More than 1,200 students are enrolled in various programs such as civil security, fashion, music, thanatology, early childhood education, as well as building estimation and evaluation. The college is also renowned for its exceptional sports facilities, including the Stade Leclerc (an indoor stadium).

Caroline Roy, general director of Campus Notre-Dame-de-Foy, said: “As a subsidized private college recognized in Quebec, CNDF must be a model of social and environmental responsibility. We wanted to take action to reduce our carbon footprint. Since the campus is located in a natural setting, it seemed essential to us to minimize our environmental impact while enhancing the comfort of our students. This major decarbonization initiative is a strategic step that positions our college as a proactive player in the transition to a more sustainable society. Thanks to SOFIAC, we benefit from long-term support to ensure results for decades to come.”

Christian Brosseau, CEO and president of SOFIAC, added: “The CNDF project is the result of excellent collaborative work, made possible by the significant commitment of CNDF’s management, combined with the support of the SOFIAC team, particularly Catherine Langlois, throughout the project. Our model allows us to deliver a turnkey project: SOFIAC covers the required investment and oversees every phase of the decarbonization project through to its implementation. We are proud to have contributed to this significant investment, which will eliminate over 600 tons of CO₂ equivalent emissions, corresponding to saving more than 260,000 liters of gasoline.”

This decarbonization project, which will also reduce annual energy consumption by 33 per cent, will be carried out in collaboration with Johnson Control, which won the project bid. Johnson Control will design and implement the project for SOFIAC, benefiting CNDF.

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