May 22, 2019 - London, Ontario - Natural Resources Canada
One of the greatest opportunities for Canada is the shift toward clean growth. To combat climate change, Canada needs new and innovative approaches to electricity generation and distribution. Supporting smart micro-grid projects at the community level is a key component of the Government of Canada's approach to a clean energy future.
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Science and Sport and to the Minister of Public Services and Procurement and Accessibility and Member of Parliament for London West, Kate Young, together with Member of Parliament for London North Centre, Peter Fragiskatos, on behalf of Canada's Minister of Natural Resources, the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, today announced a $4.8-million investment to retrofit a London, Ontario, high school to meet its energy needs with clean, renewable energy and support the local electricity grid.
Ameresco Canada Inc, a leading energy efficiency and renewable energy company, and the London District Catholic School Board will install a micro-grid at London's John Paul II Catholic Secondary School. The energy system not only will enable the school to generate and store its own energy but also will be resilient to grid outages and feed surplus energy back to the grid. Ultimately, energy consumption will be reduced as part of the project, and almost all on-site emissions will be eliminated through the installation of a state-of-the-art geothermal system.
The school board will also develop a curriculum to educate students about this type of emerging energy system. Energy-efficient buildings and smart grids are part of Canada's Investing in Canada infrastructure plan, through which our government is investing more than $180 billion over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes and Canada's rural and northern communities.
