DND contracts greening of defence infrastructure
The Department of National Defence (DND) has awarded a new energy performance contract (EPC) to upgrade facilities at CFB Halifax, 12 Wing Shearwater, Canadian Forces Ammunition Depot (in Bedford), and Defence and Research Development Canada – Atlantic.
Noting that "Nova Scotia is on the front lines of climate change, with rising sea level and extreme weather events posing a serious threat to our region," Halifax MP Andy Fillmore says "Nova Scotians expect their government to […] protect our planet for future generations, and that is what this $54 million contract is all about."
A total of 112 facilities in these locations will be upgraded, reducing the energy costs of facilities in the region by nearly $3 million annually (19%). These facilities will remain fully functional during the project, with no impact on military operations.
The energy retrofits will lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by over 15,000 tonnes per year (22%), which is the equivalent of taking more than 3,250 cars off the road. An energy performance contract is a contract with an energy services company, where the company finances energy retrofit projects at a base or wing and guarantees the savings. DND then uses the savings from the reduction in our energy costs to pay back the company over a five- to 15-year period, limiting upfront costs for the government.
The $54-million contract for this work was awarded to Johnson Controls Canada of Kanata, Ontario in June 2021. All retrofits and upgrades are anticipated to be complete by summer 2024, sustaining over 200 jobs in the Halifax area during upgrades.
This project will help DND meet its target of reducing our GHG emissions by 40% by 2025, five years ahead of schedule, and will contribute to the federal government’s target of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
“These investments in energy efficient upgrades at CFB Halifax and the surrounding area are a demonstration of the Government of Canada’s focus on reducing National Defence’s greenhouse gas emissions, lowering energy costs, and meeting our greening targets,” commented the Minister of National Defence, Harjit S. Sajjan.
“Investing in energy efficiency is good for our environment and good for the economy,” confirmed Darren Fisher, the MP for Dartmouth - Cole Harbour.
Work will include installing solar panels and energy-efficient, automated lighting, heating, and cooling systems, updating central heating plants, reducing water usage, and more.
The department expects to see the first emissions reductions and energy savings in fall 2022, with the full reduction in energy costs by summer 2024.
In addition to Halifax, projects are underway at Borden, Kingston, Bagotville, Greenwood, Valcartier, Esquimalt, and Petawawa. Similar contracts are in development for bases in Alert, Comox, Trenton, Shilo, and Gagetown.
