Department of National Defence awards $12.5-million infrastructure greening contract at CFB Comox
News release
December 20, 2021 – Ottawa – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces
We are greening defence infrastructure to reduce our carbon footprint and provide our military personnel with sustainable and efficient facilities in which to work and train.
On November 18, the Department of National Defence awarded a new energy performance contract (EPC) to upgrade infrastructure at CFB Comox. A total of 105 facilities at the Base will be upgraded, reducing the energy costs in the region by nearly $250,000 annually, or 13 percent. Energy retrofits will also lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by over 1,820 tonnes per year or 32 percent. That’s the equivalent of taking more than 350 cars off the road!
The $12.5-million contract for this work was awarded to MCW Custom Energy Solutions of Toronto, Ontario. Work is expected to begin in early 2022, and we anticipate all retrofits and upgrades will be completed in early 2023, with the full reduction in energy costs by fall 2023.
This project will help us meet our target of reducing our GHG emissions by 40 percent by 2025, five years ahead of schedule, and will contribute to the federal government’s target of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
Quotes
“It is critical that we take steps as an organization to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. Energy performance contracts like this are an effective means to green and modernize our infrastructure while, at the same time, lowering energy costs for the base. All of these retrofits and upgrades at Bases and Wings across Canada add up – we will continue to invest in greening our facilities as we work toward meeting our emissions targets and securing a greener future for Canadians.”
The Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of National Defence
Quick facts
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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.
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Our facilities remain fully functional during the project, with no impact on military operations.
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Work will include installing energy-efficient building control systems, high-efficiency LED lighting, new hot water heaters, and more.
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Initial emissions reductions and energy savings are expected by January 2023, with cost savings in full effect as of fall 2023.
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In addition to Comox, projects are underway at Halifax, Borden, Kingston, Bagotville, Greenwood, Valcartier, Esquimalt, Alert, Shilo and Petawawa. Similar contracts are in development for bases Trenton and Gagetown.
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Defence Construction Canada (DCC) is the contracting authority for DND infrastructure and environment projects. DCC supports DND’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption associated with its buildings through the procurement and management of energy performance contracts.
Contacts
Daniel Minden
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of National Defence
Phone: 613-996-3100
Email: Daniel.Minden@forces.gc.ca
Media Relations
Department of National Defence
Phone: 613-904-3333
Email: mlo-blm@forces.gc.ca
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