Decarbonization investments during Ottawa’s hottest Halloween on record

Looks like climate action is on the agenda in Canada’s capital this Halloween. Ottawa’s forecast high of 23 degrees Celsius is 1.5 degrees above the record weather temperature from 1989 and 15 degrees above what was the normal October 31 high from 1981 to 2010, according to Environment Canada.

Meanwhile, the Government of Canada is committed to innovative energy management solutions that help to decarbonize and meet net zero targets for industry partners across the country.

Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, announced a federal investment of nearly $20 million to the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) from the Green Industrial Facilities and Manufacturing Program (GIFMP). This funding will support the extension of IESO’s Strategic Energy Management Program.

NRCan has invested in this initiative to help IESO support industrial facilities across four areas:

• Energy practitioners
• Energy managers
• Energy management systems
• Strategic energy management

Investments like these are key to reducing emissions, maximizing energy performance and increasing energy industry competitiveness in Canada.

“Supporting Canadian industry with energy efficiency targets is necessary if we want to improve our competitiveness in a growing global economy where the demand for energy is increasing while ultimately achieving our emissions reduction targets,” said Wilkinson.

“The Independent Electricity System Operator’s Strategic Energy Management Program will reduce energy costs and environmental impacts in Ontario, creating more efficient and less expensive green power. By supporting programs like IESO’s, the federal government is playing a key role in the modernization and improvement of energy systems for Canadians from coast to coast to coast.”

Canada’s industrial sectors represented about 3,650 PJ — or more than 40 per cent — of Canada’s total energy use in 2021.

“As demand for electricity grows in the industrial sector, this funding from Natural Resources Canada will enable the IESO to expand and enhance our energy management solutions,” said Lesley Gallinger, president and CEO of the IESO. “These programs help ensure that Ontario’s industrial facilities remain efficient and competitive while keeping our system affordable and reliable.”

Designed by Save on Energy — IESO’s source for energy-efficiency opportunities and knowledge in Ontario — the Strategic Energy Management Program will help organizations improve their energy performance by implementing best practices for more energy and cost savings. The Green Industrial Facilities and Manufacturing Program is an expansion of NRCan’s Industrial Energy Management Program.

Featured image credit: Getty Images