The National Capital Commission and Hydro Ottawa Group are partnering on a 99-year district energy initiative for LeBreton Flats, the organizations announced Friday.
The initiative, in collaboration with Public Services and Procurement Canada through the federal government’s Energy Services Acquisition Program, “brings a next-generation low-carbon district energy system to LeBreton Flats.” The system will substitute fragmented, individual building systems with a unified network that will provide heating and cooling directly to future buildings within the developing LeBreton Flats community.
In a news release Friday, the NCC said the energy system is a step toward realizing its sustainability goals for the LeBreton project.
“LeBreton Flats represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to build a sustainable, inclusive and forward-looking community in the heart of Canadaʼs Capital Region,ˮ said Tobi Nussbaum, CEO of the NCC. “This partnership will deliver a bold, low-carbon energy solution that supports the National Capital Commissionʼs environmental objectives and helps bring the vision of a sustainable community at LeBreton Flats to life.ˮ
The NCC granted Hydro Ottawa the exclusive right to construct and operate the system throughout the LeBreton Flats community. This aligns with Hydro Ottawa’s strategic direction to prioritize the expansion of district energy as a “key business line to enable local decarbonization and advance the company’s commitment to achieving net-zero operations.”
“This partnership underscores our commitment to building a resilient, innovative and sustainable grid within the National Capital Region. By deploying this district energy system, we are establishing a new benchmark for sustainable and cleaner energy in large-scale urban development, ensuring our infrastructure supports lasting environmental and economic value,” said Bryce Conrad, president and CEO of Hydro Ottawa Group.
According to the release, key pillars of the partnership include environmental leadership, ensuring that the vast majority of the energy provided is derived from clean sources; and scalable infrastructure, with the 99-year agreement mandating the integration of private developments, including a future major events centre.
Approved in April 2021, the NCC’s LeBreton Flats Master Concept Plan is a vision for the redevelopment of the 29-hectare site over the next 35 years that would see 4,000 dwelling units, 700,000 square feet of office space and 270,000 square feet of retail space at completion, as well as approximately 11,000 new residents.
