Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador - Department of National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces
Today, Philip Earle, Member of Parliament for Labrador, Labrador, on behalf of the Honourable David J. McGuinty, Minister of National Defence, participated in a groundbreaking ceremony to mark the start of construction of a new Central Heating Plant at 5 Wing Goose Bay.
This plant will give the Wing reliable, lower-cost heat powered by Labrador's hydroelectricity. 5 Wing Goose Bay supports North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) operations and Canadian Armed Forces activity across the Arctic and North. That work depends on modern, dependable infrastructure.
In December 2025, the Government of Canada awarded a $187-million Energy Performance Contract (EPC) to MCW Custom Energy Solutions Ltd. to modernize infrastructure at 5 Wing. The new Central Heating Plant is the cornerstone of the EPC. It will move the Wing off diesel heating and onto Labrador's electrical grid.
To support this transition, the Department of National Defence (DND) secured an additional 20 megawatts of electrical capacity from Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro. The project will also include upgrades to control systems and utility metering infrastructure.
The EPC is expected to reduce the Wing's energy costs by 77%, generating approximately $8.6 million each year., It will also lower GHG emissions by 94% from current levels, a reduction of roughly 19,000 tonnes per year. The project is anticipated for completion by December 2030.
