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The Partnership

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An Integrated and Collaborative Partnership

On June 4, 2019, the Government of Canada announced its partnership with Innovate Energy to modernize how it heats and cools buildings in the National Capital Region. The contract includes an investment for the design and construction of the new system, as well as a 35-year mandate to operate and maintain it. The investment is just one more way the Government of Canada is greening the capital.

On April 1, 2020, Innovate Energy took over operations and maintenance of the existing system and work is currently underway to deliver a modernized system by 2026.

With over 1,800 construction workers involved, the project was ranked in 2021 the 23rd largest infrastructure project in Canada.

Innovate Energy will operate and maintain the modernized district energy system until October 2055.

About the Government of Canada

The Government of Canada is committed to demonstrating global leadership on climate change action. Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) is responsible for managing operations for many of the buildings that are used to accommodate public sector employees. Through initiatives like the Energy Services Acquisition Program (ESAP), PSPC is leading by example through operations that are low-carbon, resilient, and green. Efforts continue to green operations in a way that is better for the planet and for future generations.

Innovate Energy logo

About Innovate Energy

Premier, locally-based consortium with global expertise.
Through an open, fair, and transparent procurement process, the Government of Canada selected Innovate Energy to design, build, and operate a modern, clean, and efficient district energy system in the National Capital Region. The project is one of North America’s first conversion of a large public district energy network from steam to a low-temperature hot water electrical system with electric chillers for cooling.

ESAP is a collaboration between the Government of Canada and Innovate Energy. By investing in cleaner and more efficient ways to deliver energy, we are reducing pollution, fighting climate change, and saving hundreds of millions of dollars on operating costs.

With over 1,800 construction workers involved, the project was ranked in 2021 the 23rd largest infrastructure project in Canada.

Through their combined resources and experience, the partners will deliver a unique, ground-breaking system that will make the Canadian government a world leader in the fight against climate change and the race to net zero carbon emissions.

The consortium partners and associated firms are:

PCL Constructors Canada Inc.

PLC logo
Established over a century ago in 1906 in Saskatchewan, the PCL family of companies is a group of independent, employee-owned, construction companies that carry out work across Canada, the United States, the Caribbean, and in Australia. These diverse operations in the civil infrastructure, heavy industrial, and buildings markets are supported by a strategic presence in 31 major centres. PCL is the largest contracting organization in Canada and one of the largest in North America. Locally, PCL is based in the National Capital Region and employs over 250 full-time construction professionals. PCL’s consistent focus on sustainability over the years has resulted in a portfolio of work that demonstrates measurable benefits that help clients meet their goals for sustainability and cost effectiveness.

PCL Investments Canada Inc.

PCL Investments was established in 2014 to deepen the PCL family of companies’ commitment to the North American public-private partnerships/alternative financing and procurement (PPP/AFP) market by expanding its traditional design-builder role to include investing in projects as an equity member. The company has closed several equity investments across North America covering five provinces, one state, and spanning five different infrastructure sectors.

EQUANS Services Canada

Equans Services Canada is a facilities management solutions provider that prioritizes energy efficiency for private and public customers across North America. Their experts design, develop, and manage smart, sustainable solutions for customers who trust Equans Services’ tailored solutions and specialists to operate and maintain their office towers, airports, hospitals, and recreational and industrial facilities. Equans Services has both the structure and resources to carry out technically and financially complex and long-term projects. This capacity enables them to guarantee results and manage asset lifecycles to meet specific performance criteria with a focus on rationalizing energy use and reducing operational costs.

Equans Services is part of the Equans group, which designs, develops, and operates numerous District Heating and Cooling (DHC) networks across Europe. Whether in the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, France, Austria, Belgium, or elsewhere, Equans has extensive expertise and numerous references in this field.

Black & McDonald

Black & McDonald logo
Black & McDonald is an integrated, multi-trade service provider that safely delivers high quality construction, facilities management, and technical solutions. With nearly 100 years of diverse market experience across North America, they are a forward-thinking organization with a strong track record of delivering customer-focused solutions and operational excellence.

Black & McDonald Capital

B&M Capital was formed to participate and provide financing solutions for Canadian AFP projects. With offices in over 26 locations across North America, B&M and B&M Capital’s team includes professional staff of over 900 experienced professionals in Canada (over 1,200 in North America) and self-performing craft labour of 3,700 in Canada (over 4,700 in North America) across the finance/commercial, design & construction, facilities operations, and asset management disciplines.

WSP

WSP is one of the world’s leading professional services firm, working with governments, businesses, architects, and planners to provide integrated solutions across many disciplines. The firm provides services to transform the built environment and restore the natural environment, and its expertise ranges from environmental remediation to urban planning, from engineering iconic buildings to designing sustainable transport networks, and from developing the energy sources of the future to enabling new ways of extracting essential resources. WSP has approximately 48,000 employees globally, consisting of engineers, technicians, scientists, and architects, as well as various environmental experts, based in more than 500 offices, across 40 countries, on every continent. With nearly 400 employees in the National Capital Region (NCR), WSP has the local presence and global expertise for the most demanding projects. WSP’s staff has particular experience in district energy systems, renewable energy, and distributed energy; with projects ranging in size and technology from 1MW reciprocating engines to 600MW combined cycle power plant (using gas turbines and steam turbines) to district energy systems (using engines, boilers, and chillers).

bbb architects ottawa inc

bbb architects ottawa inc
bbb architects Ottawa Inc. (bbb) is a diversified architectural design studio, offering a full range of architectural services. The firm has had the good fortune of being awarded a wide range of large and prestigious commissions, from airports to convention centres, hospitals to research centres, light rail transit systems to corporate and institutional headquarters. Based in Ottawa, the firm's local work ranges from the Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport passenger terminal to the dramatic Shaw Centre (formerly the Ottawa Convention Centre), from the technically complex Royal Ottawa Hospital to the re-design and expansion of the Rideau Centre. Currently, bbb is completing the Light Rail Transit Stations of Ottawa’s Confederation Line.

Dedicated to design excellence, bbb embraces an enduring and steadfast commitment to quality, which has been recognized by numerous awards, including a Governor General’s Medal in Architecture, the Ontario Association of Architects’ Design Excellence and People’s Choice Awards, The Royal Architectural Institute of Canada’s Urban Design Award, as well as the Canadian Design-Build Award of Excellence, and the Canadian Urban Institute’s National Award for Innovation and Excellence in Public-Private Partnerships.