Category Archives: Energy

The merger between Guelph Hydro and Alectra Utilities is complete. The company is now the largest municipally-owned electric utility in Canada. Continue reading Guelph Hydro-Alectra Utilities merger completed

The Ontario Energy Board (OEB) has approved the merger of Guelph Hydro and Alectra Utilities Corporation. Continue reading Ontario Energy Board approves Guelph Hydro merger with Alectra

Knowledge sharing of innovative solutions was the focus of international visits between the City of Guelph and City of Rijeka, Croatia in September and October. Continue reading Local innovation focus for international municipal exchange

Council approves City’s continuing partnership with task force Guelph, Ont., May 29, 2018—Last night, Guelph City Council acknowledged, in principle, the role of Our Energy Guelph as the implementer of the Community Energy Initiative going forward, and approved the City of Guelph’s continued association with Our Energy Guelph as a primary stakeholder and partner. Council also approved Our Energy Guelph’s recommendations for the community as outlined in the updated community energy plan, including a target for Guelph to become a net zero carbon community by 2050. The 2007 Guelph Community Energy Plan, now the Community Energy Initiative, was the first of its kind in North America. In 2016, Council directed staff to initiate an update. A community-based task force was recruited to lead the update… Continue reading Council unanimously accepts Our Energy Guelph’s community energy recommendations

The Ontario Energy Board will use “no harm test” to decide whether customers would be harmed by the proposed merger between Guelph Hydro and Alectra Continue reading Guelph Hydro-Alectra merger being considered by Ontario Energy Board

GLOBE Series recognizes Guelph for being at the forefront of action on climate change Guelph, Ont., Thursday, March 15, 2018—The City of Guelph was awarded the Large Municipal Trailblazer Climate Leadership Award from GLOBE Series at last night’s GLOBE Forum in Vancouver. The awards recognize exceptional Canadian organizations that are at the forefront of action on climate change. Mayor Cam Guthrie and Scott Stewart, deputy chief administrative officer for the City’s Infrastructure, Development and Enterprise service area, were on hand in Vancouver to accept the GLOBE award. The City of Guelph was selected for one of four awards from among 86 self-nominating applicants. The City was recognized for its multi-faceted and holistic approach to fighting climate change by a panel of judges with members from… Continue reading City wins Canadian Climate Leadership Award

The Federation of Canadian Municipalities has awarded the City of Guelph a Sustainable Community Award in the category of sustainable neighbourhood revitalization and design for the Guelph Innovation District secondary plan. The Federation of Canadian Municipalities praised the plan’s carbon-neutral vision and its efficient, sustainable design which reduces transportation needs. Continue reading City of Guelph’s Innovation District plan wins FCM sustainable community award

After more than a year of industry research, financial analysis, and community engagement, Guelph City Council voted in favour of a merger between Guelph Hydro Electric Systems and Alectra Inc. Continue reading Guelph City Council Approves Guelph Hydro Merger with Alectra

A report that shares the details about the proposed merger between Guelph Hydro and Alectra is now available on the City’s website. Continue reading City completes negotiations, shares details about Guelph Hydro-Alectra merger

  News release from Lloyd Longfield, Member of Parliament for Guelph Guelph, Ontario, November 17, 2017—Investing in local infrastructure helps create good middle class jobs, tackle climate change and improve Canadians’ quality of life. That’s why the Government of Canada is partnering with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities—and municipalities such as Guelph—to help achieve these national objectives. Today, Member of Parliament Lloyd Longfield, on behalf of the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities,  Mayor Cam Guthrie and Deputy Chief Administrative Officer Scott Stewart highlighted $175,000 in federal funding for an update to Guelph’s Community Energy Initiative (CEI). This project is funded through a new funding program delivered through the Federation of Canadian Municipalities: the Municipalities for Climate Innovation Program (MCIP). The project is… Continue reading Improved energy commitments for Guelph residents

The City of Guelph has announced it will begin merger negotiations between Guelph Hydro Electric Systems Inc. and Alectra Inc. Continue reading Guelph Hydro begins merger talks with Alectra Inc.

Guelph, Ont., July 25, 2017– City Council approved switching Guelph’s 13,119 street lights to Light Emitting Diode (LED) bulbs and upgrading to adaptive controls to use less electricity, save money, reduce maintenance, and provide better lighting. “The City will save an estimated $14.2 million over a 15-year period and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 464 tonnes per year—equivalent to taking 98 cars off the road—by switching out Guelph’s high pressure sodium street lights with LEDs,” says Alex Chapman, manager of the Climate Change Office. The $8 million city-wide transition to LED street lights could start as early as this fall/winter, and will take approximately 7–12 months to complete. “Street lighting costs are significant and rising. By switching to LED lights, Guelph will see major savings,… Continue reading City installing energy efficient LED street lights

Guelph, Ont., June 28, 2017 – Guelph City Council has approved a series of recommendations brought forward through the Envida Asset Review. The review is in response to Council direction received on October 24, 2016 to transfer oversight and management of Envida to the City, with support from Guelph Hydro, who will report to Council. “City staff, with support from Guelph Hydro, have spent the last nine months reviewing Envida’s assets to maximize shareholder value and create more direct oversight by the shareholder, City Council,” said the City’s chief administrative officer, Derrick Thomson. “We’ve had success with some revenue generating assets, and collectively we have to work through several issues with respect to Guelph’s district energy nodes.” As a result of Council’s decision, the Eastview… Continue reading City Council approves redistribution of Envida’s energy assets

Guelph City Council voted to continue researching possible mergers between Guelph Hydro Electric Systems Inc. and other publicly-owned electricity utility companies. Continue reading Guelph continues exploring possible hydro mergers

Guelph Council Chambers was retrofitted with new light emitting diode (LED) lighting to replace burned out and faded light bulbs. The new LED lighting will save about 8,500 kilowatt hours (kWh) annually — roughly the amount of energy used by one household over three months, which reduces our energy costs by about $1,250 per year. An additional $5,000 will also be saved annually in maintenance costs, based on 2,000 hours of operation. The retrofit replaced 91 incandescent bulbs and 136 fluorescent lamps over three days and cost $19,870. Facts about LEDs use 46 per cent less electricity, last longer and need less maintenance produce less waste heat and that means less energy is needed to cool Council Chambers improve light quality: they’re brighter and don’t… Continue reading Council Chambers get energy-efficient lighting retrofit

On June 13, Guelph City Council will discuss further research into potential mergers between Guelph Hydro and other publicly-owned local electricity distribution companies. Continue reading City Council to discuss more research into possible Guelph Hydro mergers

Guelph, Ont., March 17, 2017 – The City of Guelph now has nine solar photovoltaic systems installed across the city, as part of the City’s commitment to generating more local, renewable electricity in support of Guelph’s Community Energy Initiative and the Corporate Energy Management Plan. “Last week clean solar electricity started flowing from the City’s ninth photovoltaic system, located on the roof of the Lyon Park pool building,” explains Alex Chapman, manager of the newly created Climate Change Office. “These types of projects further Guelph’s position as a solar energy champion.” Solar photovoltaic systems have been installed at the following City-owned facilities: Lyon Park pool (301 York Road) Guelph Fire Headquarters (50 Wyndham Street South) Fire Hall #3 (115 Stone Road West) Fire Hall #5… Continue reading Guelph celebrates ninth solar energy installation

The adjustments allow for the creation of a new position to focus on downtown renewal—namely, real estate transactions in the downtown core. Continue reading City makes minor changes to one of its service areas as some projects wind down and others ramp up

Guelph City Council will not consider selling Guelph Hydro, but will explore potential mergers with publicly-owned utility companies Continue reading Council votes to explore options to merge Guelph Hydro with other publicly-owned utilities

Guelph’s Strategies and Options Committee is recommending City Council authorize a closer look at either selling or merging Guelph Hydro. Continue reading Committee brings phase 1 recommendations on future of Guelph Hydro to Council as shareholder

LED upgrades paid off faster than anticipated Guelph, Ont., January 18, 2017—The City of Guelph is starting the first city-wide replacement of LED traffic signal bulbs since they were installed over 10 years ago. The City expected a four–year payback period from the LED traffic signal upgrades, but saw a much shorter, two–year payback period, and continues to see operational savings every year. “The City has saved 90 per cent a year on energy costs for traffic signal operation since we replaced incandescent bulbs with LED lighting,” said Steve Anderson, Supervisor of Traffic Engineering with the City. Previously, traffic signal bulbs had to be replaced twice a year. LED lights are generally maintenance free for 7-10 years, which reduces operational costs for bulbs and replacement… Continue reading First LED traffic signal replacements underway since original upgrade in 2006

Guelph, Ont., January 9, 2017 – City staff have been busy negotiating changes to agreements related to the Hanlon Creek Business Park and the Downtown District Energy Nodes since City Council directed them to do so last July. The City worked with the Independent Electricity System Operator and Envida Community Energy Inc. to cancel contracts to deliver two 10 megawatt combined heat and power systems in Guelph with no penalties. The City of Guelph helped facilitate amending agreements which—together—result in: the full return of security deposits to Envida, valued at $612,000; Envida avoiding paying $60 million for once-planned district energy infrastructure; and realizing the full projected revenue of close to $1.3 million for 3.74 acres of City-owned property in the Hanlon Creek Business Park. “This… Continue reading City and Envida recoup costs for proposed district energy system

As of October 24, 2016, residents can visit the Energizing Tomorrow website (hydro.guelph.ca) to learn more about the process and to ask questions. Continue reading Background: Strategies and Options Committee

City launches Energizing Tomorrow website to ensure community is informed and can participate in the process. Continue reading City of Guelph committee to explore options for its energy assets

Guelph, Ont., July 18, 2016 – Guelph’s existing district energy nodes in the downtown core and Hanlon Creek Business Park will continue to operate with no further expansions at this time, as directed by Council this evening. The financial and technical performance of the existing nodes was evaluated by Deloitte and FVB Energy Inc. to develop a business case for the future direction of district energy in Guelph. The business case outlined three options: exit the current investments; operate the current nodes as is; and preserve the opportunity for growth. Council supported Deloitte’s recommendations to operate the nodes as contractually agreed and explore system efficiencies through the development of a district energy business development strategy. These recommendations do not require capital investment and fall under… Continue reading Update on Guelph’s existing district energy system

Guelph, Ont., May 25, 2016 – Council approved a phased approach for the City’s Guelph Energy Efficiency Retrofit Strategy (GEERS) program at last night’s Council meeting. “We are excited to proceed with further GEERS program development for Guelph property owners,” says Rob Kerr, the City’s Community Energy Manager. “The implementation will be completed in phases, which allows us to test the energy efficiency and cost-recovery capability of GEERS to further refine and expand the program.” The cost of the GEERS program will be determined by the number of program participants and the technology option selected. Technology options may include: upgrades to insulation, windows, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC); rooftop solar panels; re-roofing; electric vehicle chargers; rainwater harvesting; grey water recovery; and permeable pavement. The… Continue reading Guelph Energy Efficiency Retrofit Strategy (GEERS) moves forward

Community participation and ownership integral to CEI’s future success Guelph, Ont., April 27, 2016 – Council unanimously approved the City’s proposed process to update Guelph’s Community Energy Initiative (CEI) on Monday evening. “The City has learned a lot about the value of sustainable energy and its role in Guelph’s long-term ability to prosper since the Community Energy Plan was developed in 2007,” said Rob Kerr, the City’s Community Energy Manager. “The updated CEI will reflect what we know now and re-establish the CEI as a community-led initiative by engaging the community to reaffirm Guelph’s energy priorities and lead future success.” The CEI Update will also include metrics to track and report  progress on the initiative’s defined targets, reflect recent federal and provincial policy requirements, and incorporate… Continue reading Guelph’s Community Energy Initiative Update gets green light

Guelph, Ont., March 8, 2016 – The Guelph Municipal Holdings Inc. (GMHI) Board of Directors has appointed Pankaj Sardana to the position of Chief Executive Officer of Guelph Hydro Electric Systems Inc. and Envida Community Energy Inc., effective immediately. Day-to-day operations of Guelph Hydro Electric Systems Inc. (GHESI) will remain under the leadership of Kazi Marouf, who will continue in his role as GHESI Chief Operating Officer reporting to the new CEO. “With more than 30 years of experience in the energy sector and an impressive set of skills in finance and treasury operations, accounting, regulatory affairs, commodity trading, load forecasting and other aspects of the electricity distribution business, the GMHI, GHESI and Envida Boards of Directors have great confidence that Pankaj Sardana is ideally… Continue reading New Chief Executive Officer Appointed for Guelph Hydro Electric Systems Inc. and Envida Community Energy Inc.

Guelph, Ont., March 8, 2016 – Guelph City Council is announcing governance changes to Guelph Municipal Holdings Inc. Guelph Municipal Holdings Inc. is a company set up by Guelph City Council to manage select city assets for the purpose of maximizing revenue potential and strengthening community prosperity. City Council is streamlining its oversight of GMHI, providing elected officials with increased oversight of decisions that directly affect the community. “The change reflects this Council’s philosophy about governance. Direct Council oversight of GMHI decisions that affect the City of Guelph will ensure better alignment of City assets, resources and strategic planning” says Guelph’s mayor, Cam Guthrie. The changes are expected to serve City Council for a period of up to 18 months, at which point progress and… Continue reading City Council restructures Guelph Municipal Holdings Inc.

Energy efficient, low maintenance LED street lights can save Guelph $750K annually Guelph, Ont., January 18, 2016–The City and Guelph Hydro are testing a number of LED options on residential Guelph streets to determine the best energy efficient alternative to the City’s current high pressure sodium (HPS) street lights. “The City is in a position to save about 50 per cent of its 13,000 street lights’ energy use, about $750 thousand dollars in annual cost savings, by switching out Guelph’s HPS  street lights with LEDs,” said Alex Chapman, the City’s program manager of Corporate Energy. “LED lights last longer, use much less electricity, require less maintenance and provide better illumination than the HPS lights we’re currently using.” During the test period, which runs until March, the City… Continue reading City tests LED street lights

Ottawa, Ont. October 30, 2015 – The City of Guelph, Enmax Corporation and Windmill Developments were announced as the 2015 winners of the QUEST Community Energy Builder Awards at the annual QUEST Gala Dinner & Awards Ceremony on October 27 in Toronto, Ontario. The Community Energy Builder Awards are presented annually by QUEST to recognize leadership and innovation in advancing Smart Energy Communities in Canada.  Awards are presented in three categories that reflect the key implementing sectors of Smart Energy Communities: Local Government, Real Estate Sector, and Utility and Energy Service Providers. “Smart Energy Communities are now being recognized as one solution in meeting Canada’s federal, provincial and territorial energy and climate goals,” said Brent Gilmour, Executive Director of QUEST. “QUEST congratulates the 2015 award winners… Continue reading City of Guelph, Enmax Corporation and Windmill Developments Win QUEST 2015 Community Energy Builder Awards

The City of Guelph received two new awards for its effort to reduce energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. Continue reading The Federation of Canadian Municipalities recognizes Guelph’s energy program

McGuinty Government And City of Guelph Support Local Economy, Create Jobs June 30, Guelph, ON – Ontario and the City of Guelph signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that will help enhance the local economy and create jobs over the coming years in the Guelph Innovation District. The District will meet employment and housing targets of Guelph’s Growth Management Strategy and the province’s Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe by supporting economic activities and jobs with a clean, green-economy and innovation focus. The MOU signed today commits a portion of provincially-owned land in the district to the city’s plan to create this new, innovative employment area. This is part of the province’s Open Ontario Plan to help create clean, green jobs and support innovation.… Continue reading Advancing Guelph’s Innovation District