The City of Richmond has received $6.2 million from the provincial and federal governments to accelerate implementation of another phase of the Oval Village District Energy Utility (OVDEU), reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the city.
The grant, provided through the Canada Infrastructure Program – CleanBC Communities Fund, will expedite the implementation timeline for design and construction of a permanent, sewer heat recovery energy centre to provide renewable energy to customers of the OVDEU.
“This project will help move the city closer to its objectives of providing low carbon energy for residents while further reducing greenhouse gas emissions from developments in Richmond’s city centre area,” said Mayor Malcom Brodie. “This funding, through the CleanBC Communities Fund, recognizes the innovation and commitment we have made to improving our environment and making Richmond a sustainable and environmentally conscious city.”
The permanent energy centre will use a sewer heat recovery energy system to service the Oval Village area around River Parkway and Gilbert Road. The $6.2 million, which comprises $2.6 million from the province and $3.6 million from the federal government, will allow the current temporary energy centres on River Parkway to be decommissioned and removed. It will also enable the project, currently planned for 2025, to begin construction in 2022 for a 2024 in-service date.
The OVDEU sewer heat recovery system will replace natural gas boilers as the main source of heating energy and hot water for residents and businesses in the Oval Village area. When complete, around 80 per cent of the area’s energy demand will be met by this system, resulting in an estimated reduction of more than 265,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions over the first 30 years of the project’s life span – roughly equal to taking 95,000 cars off the road for a year.
The investment in this energy system will increase resilient, low carbon, green energy production in the city, while providing customers with a locally produced and reliable energy source.
The OVDEU is a part of the Lulu Island Energy Company, a multi-award-winning municipal corporation wholly-owned by the City of Richmond that implements and operates innovative district energy systems in Richmond.
