Category: Sustainability

Key Takeaways:

• TotalEnergies has signed a 20-year Sales and Purchase Agreement to buy 2 million tons of LNG annually from the future Ksi Lisims LNG facility, strengthening its North American LNG portfolio and supporting long-term supply commitments to Asian markets.
• TotalEnergies has acquired a 5% stake in Western LNG, the project’s developer and future operator, with the option to increase its ownership to approximately 10% upon final investment decision, reinforcing its integrated strategy in the LNG value chain.
• Ksi Lisims LNG, a floating LNG export plant co-developed by the Nisga’a Nation, aims to achieve net zero emissions within three years of operation through renewable energy use and carbon offsets, while delivering economic and social benefits to Indigenous and local communities.

The Whole Story:

TotalEnergies has signed a Sales and Purchase Agreement (SPA) with Ksi Lisims LNG for the purchase of 2 million tons of LNG for 20 years from the future liquefaction plant, subject to the final investment decision of the project.

In parallel, TotalEnergies acquires a 5% stake in Western LNG, the developer, shareholder, and future operator of the Ksi Lisims LNG project. This acquisition grants TotalEnergies the option to increase its stake in Western LNG and/or take a direct stake in the plant up to approximately 10% when the final investment decision is made.

“This purchase of LNG from the future Ksi Lisims LNG plant will allow us to diversify our LNG portfolio in North America and benefit from competitive LNG supply in Western Canada to better serve our Asian customers, with whom we are developing a significant portfolio of long-term supply contracts”, said Stéphane Michel, President of Gas, Renewables & Power at TotalEnergies. “As part of our integrated strategy, we are also pleased to partner with Western LNG to support the development of this very low CO₂ emission liquefaction plant project.”

Ksi Lisims LNG is a proposed floating liquefied natural gas (LNG) export facility located on Nisga’a Nation treaty lands at Wil Milit, on the northern tip of Pearse Island near Gingolx, British Columbia. Jointly developed by the Nisga’a Nation, Rockies LNG, and Western LNG, the project is designed to produce up to 12 million tonnes of LNG per year, receiving 1.7 to 2.0 billion cubic feet of natural gas daily via a pipeline from northeastern British Columbia, with commercial operations targeted for late 2028 or 2029.

The facility aims to set a new environmental standard by achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions within its first three years of operation, primarily through the use of renewable BC Hydro power, energy efficiency measures, and carbon offsets. Ksi Lisims LNG is expected to provide significant economic and social benefits, including jobs, training, and business opportunities for Indigenous and local communities, while contributing to global emissions reductions by supplying lower-carbon LNG to Asian markets as an alternative to coal and oil.

Key Takeaways:

• The province, in partnership with BC Hydro, is implementing a major clean-energy strategy that includes acquiring up to 5,000 gigawatt-hours of renewable power annually, developing firm electricity capacity, and advancing electrification across sectors to reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
• The plan emphasizes collaboration with First Nations and investment in made-in-B.C. clean-energy technologies, including $12 million in funding to support innovation and create sustainable jobs, while expanding First Nations ownership in new renewable projects.
• Alongside a $36-billion 10-year infrastructure plan, the strategy includes measures to streamline grid access for new developments, maintain stable electricity rates, and promote energy efficiency for homes and businesses to ensure affordability and support economic growth.

The Whole Story:

The Province, in partnership with BC Hydro, is launching an ambitious plan to harness clean electricity for economic growth.

“With this work, we are securing our energy and our economy for the future by expanding one of our greatest assets: abundant clean electricity,” said Premier David Eby. “We are boosting our clean-energy supply, powering our growing communities and industries, and creating thousands of family-supporting jobs – all while advancing reconciliation and reducing pollution. Perhaps most importantly, this will help build a strong foundation for our province and our country at a time of external threats to our sovereignty and prosperity.”

The Clean Power Action Plan aims to leverage B.C.’s clean-electricity advantage. With five transformative initiatives, the plan aims to accelerate economic growth, while securing long-term energy stability for generations to come:

• launching a second call for power to acquire a target of up to 5,000 gigawatt-hours per year of energy from large, clean and renewable projects in partnership with First Nations and independent power producers – enough to power 500,000 new homes. This builds on the success of the 2024 call for power, which resulted in 10 new renewable-energy projects, with First Nations asset ownership between 49% and 51%, capable of powering about 500,000 new homes;
• opening up the opportunity to explore B.C.’s power potential through a request for expressions of interest exploring capacity and firm, baseload electricity projects to deliver for peak demand periods and to provide back-up intermittent energy resources;
• ushering in an expanded era of energy efficiency by partnering with innovators through a request for expressions of interest to deliver market-ready demand-side management technologies that help people and businesses save energy and money;
• investing more than $12 million from the B.C. Innovative Clean Energy (ICE) fund in a targeted three-year call for new, made-in-B.C. clean-energy technologies that will combat climate change and create sustainable jobs; and
• streamlining connections to B.C.’s grid to enable new homes and businesses to access clean electricity faster and less expensively.

“Uncertain times demand bold, decisive action, and we need to respond with urgency and with confidence and turn adversity into opportunity,” said Adrian Dix, Minister of Energy and Climate Solutions. “Our commitment to strengthening energy security and building a resilient electricity system will unlock critical economic opportunities, foster innovation, deepen collaboration with First Nations and reaffirm B.C.’s leadership in climate action.”  

These initiatives build on actions underway, including setting BC Hydro rate increases at 3.75% for the next two years to provide stable, affordable rates, while enabling significant investments, offering new optional rates to help residential customers save, and implementing BC Hydro’s $36-billion 10-year capital plan to expand and reinforce electricity infrastructure throughout the province.

Beyond driving economic development and ensuring energy security, the Clean Power Action Plan also supports electrification – the transition from fossil fuels to clean electricity in homes, businesses, industry and transportation.

“Through collaboration with government, First Nations, and the clean-energy sector, BC Hydro is making significant investments and seeking new partnerships to secure B.C.’s clean-energy future,” said Chris O’Riley, president and CEO, BC Hydro. “The initiatives in the Clean Power Action Plan will set the stage for an increased renewable, reliable and resilient energy supply to support our growing province in the years ahead. At the same time, we remain committed to affordability by offering customers more ways to save energy and money, while maintaining stable, predictable rates.”

Key Takeaways:

• Northstar Clean Technologies successfully completed Milestone 2 for its Empower Calgary Facility under its agreement with Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA), triggering a $3.9 million milestone payment. This brings total ERA funding received to $5.2 million, with $1.9 million remaining contingent on future milestones.
• All major equipment has been delivered, installed, and electrified, and construction is considered substantially complete under the Builder’s Lien Act. The company has begun commissioning activities at the Calgary facility, with operations progressing as planned.
• By reprocessing discarded asphalt shingles into reusable components, Northstar is reducing landfill waste and supplying sustainable materials to the construction industry.

The Whole Story:

Northstar Clean Technologies Inc. announced that it successfully completed Milestone 2 requirements stipulated in the Emission Reduction Alberta (ERA) contribution agreement and received the resulting milestone payment totaling $3.9 million.

Milestone 2 criteria required Northstar to demonstrate a number of elements with respect to the Empower Environmental Solutions Calgary Facility including:

• Completion of all major procurement activities, other than final performance payments to vendors;
• All major processing equipment delivered;
• All major equipment installed and electrified;
• Implementation of the Green House Gas, Measurement and Monitoring Verification plan during construction for tracking during Milestones 3 and 4; and
• Substantial completion of construction as defined in the Builder’s Lien Act.

All of these elements have been reviewed and completed as part of the ERA due diligence process to verify completion of Milestone 2.

The resulting $3.9 million funding from ERA brings receipts to date from ERA to $5.2 million. Approximately $1.9 million remains outstanding under the ERA grant, upon attainment of commissioning and operational milestones.

The funding under Milestone 2 materially reimburses Northstar for construction expenditures for the Empower Calgary Facility. Taken together with other funding initiatives, the Empower Calgary Facility has been fully funded and leaves suitable working capital for the Company to advance expansion opportunities in Canada and the United States. Commissioning efforts at the Empower Calgary Facility are well underway and proceeding as planned.

“Our experience with ERA has been nothing short of a great partnership,” commented Aidan Mills, Northstar President & CEO. “We sincerely appreciate the support from ERA as we look to become a leading entity in the waste to value industry. With the ERA support, construction completion represents a significant milestone at our Calgary facility. All our partners can take pride in creating a new industry that enhances the economy, creates employment opportunities, and importantly delivers environmental benefits in a circular economy.”

Northstar is a Canadian clean technology company focused on the sustainable recovery and reprocessing of asphalt shingles. Northstar developed and owns a proprietary design process for taking discarded asphalt shingles, otherwise destined for already over-crowded landfills, and extracts the liquid asphalt for use in new hot mix asphalt shingle manufacturing and asphalt flat roof systems while also extracting aggregate and fiber for use in construction products and other industrial applications.

“The real demonstration of successful investments comes when the projects we fund are commercialized and deployed in the market,” stated Justin Reimer, CEO Emissions Reduction Alberta. “We are excited for Northstar’s completion of the major construction elements of their project and the opportunity to reduce environmental impacts through the reprocessing of waste asphalt shingles. They are not only diverting waste from landfills, but also providing the construction industry with clean, sustainable processing solutions.”

Focused on the circular economy, Northstar plans to reprocess used or defective asphalt shingle waste back into its three primary components for reuse/resale with its first commercial scale up facility in Calgary, Alberta. As an emerging innovator in sustainable processing, Northstar’s mission aims at leading the recovery and reprocessing of asphalt shingles in North America that would otherwise be sent to landfill addressing numerous stakeholder objectives.

Key Takeaways:

• B.C. has introduced the Renewable Energy Projects (Streamlined Permitting) Act, which, if passed, will make the BC Energy Regulator (BCER) the single authority responsible for permitting renewable energy projects, eliminating the need for multiple agency approvals.
• The legislation will prioritize the North Coast Transmission Line and nine wind-power projects from BC Hydro’s 2024 call for power, exempting them from the standard environmental assessment process to speed up development.
• The act aims to position B.C. as a global clean-energy leader by accelerating wind and solar projects, supporting economic diversification, and aligning development with environmental standards and First Nations consultation.

The Whole Story:

B.C. wants to fast-track renewable energy projects with new law changes.

The province has introduced the renewable energy projects (streamlined permitting) act to the legislative assembly. If passed, the act will expand the authority of the BC Energy Regulator (BCER) to oversee renewable-energy projects.

“B.C. has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to become a world leader in clean-energy production and we will take every action possible to see that all British Columbians benefit from this opportunity,” said Adrian Dix, Minister of Energy and Climate Solutions. “Renewable energy projects like wind and solar are urgently needed to provide affordable clean power, create jobs, and strengthen and diversify our economy, especially during this period of global market uncertainty.”

If approved, these changes will establish the BCER as the primary permitting agency for renewable-energy projects and transmission lines. Officials say the legislation will help simplify the approvals process for these projects, eliminating the need for cross-ministry and agency permitting, by establishing the BCER as the single window for permitting in accordance with strict environmental standards. This will be completed in a staged approach through regulation.

The BCER’s initial focus will be on the North Coast Transmission Line (NCTL) project and the wind- and solar-power projects in BC Hydro’s 2024 call for power. This will help accelerate the expansion of British Columbia’s electricity grid and meet the demand in growth arising from critical-mineral and metal mining, port electrification, hydrogen and fuel processing, and shipping projects under consideration.

The proposed legislation would also:

• exempt the NCTL project and the nine wind projects selected in the 2024 call for power from the environmental assessment processes and allow government to do the same for other wind-power projects in the future; and
• enable the BCER to establish a new rigorous regulatory framework for renewable-energy projects through consultation with First Nations, ensuring that environmental standards are upheld.

“The BC Energy Regulator is pleased to see the introduction of this legislation and has been engaging with ministries and others to prepare for this expanded mandate that will include permitting processes and engagement functions,” said Michelle Carr, CEO and commissioner, BC Energy Regulator. “Our staff are working across seven regional offices to ensure energy activities are carried out safely, responsibly and in alignment with provincial goals and BCER’s vision for a resilient energy future.”

Northland Power Inc. announced that the Jurassic Battery Energy Storage System project in southern Alberta has achieved financial close, securing all necessary financing as it prepares to begin construction.

Jurassic BESS is an 80 MW, 2-hour (160 MWh) battery storage system that is part of Northland’s growth pipeline in Alberta. The project recently signed construction contracts and will benefit from a 15-year fixed price contract for capacity. The project is expected to reach commercial operation in late 2026.

“Building on the success of our Oneida Battery Storage Project, which is nearing operations, today’s announcement represents another great milestone for Northland Power. We are delivering needed battery storage as one of the ways we provide energy solutions in Canada and around the world,” said Christine Healy, President and Chief Executive Officer. “This BESS project will enhance the stability and reliability of Alberta’s energy grid, expand our footprint in Canada, and diversify our asset base. It highlights the growth potential of our multi-technology approach.”

The project cost is approximately $120 million. Construction costs will be funded by non-recourse project-level financing, existing cash and available liquidity. Once fully operational, Jurassic BESS is expected to contribute approximately $15 million of annual Adjusted EBITDA.

Key Takeaways:

• Nearly 30,000 single-family homes have been demolished in Metro Vancouver since 2012, with projections showing another 15,000 will be torn down in the next five years due to upzoning. This translates to about 300 million pounds of lumber headed to landfills.
• Erick Serpas Ventura, founder of VEMA Deconstruction, advocates for dismantling homes to salvage and repurpose high-quality lumber, particularly Douglas fir, for new builds.
• VEMA is collaborating with academic institutions and industry partners to grade reclaimed wood and manufacture prefabricated wall panels from 70% salvaged lumber. These panels are already being used in new builds and retrofits.

The Whole Story:

Mountains of lumber from crushed and ripped-up B.C. homes sit in a Delta landfill, with birds circling above. For some, it’s a sign of progress as demolition is making way for new housing, but for deconstruction experts like Erick Serpas Ventura, it’s a massive missed opportunity that he is working to unlock. 

“It’s brutal,” said Ventura, who recently visited the landfill to truly take in how much construction material is being dumped. “I don’t want to leave this for my kids. This is our legacy; we’re only here once, and this is what we leave them? It’s not great. I feel like people don’t know in this picture that it’s their house. They think it’s gone, and then who cares?”   

New research found that nearly 30,000 single-family homes were demolished in Metro Vancouver between 2012 and 2023 to make way for higher-density developments, with demolitions expected to increase by 35% over the next decade due to upzoning policies. 

“We’re looking at about 15,000 homes that will be demolished in the next five years,” said Ventura. “We calculated that is about 300 million pounds of lumber that will go to the landfill. And that’s a lost opportunity.”

Through his company, VEMA Deconstruction, Ventura is working to not only salvage material. He wants to come full circle, championing efforts to use historic lumber harvested from aging homes to build new structures. For him, Vancouver’s character homes are part of his own story. His family moved to the region when he was just 3 and a half years old, and he grew up in a three-storey character home in the Riley Park neighbourhood in Vancouver, which helped him feel connected to the Canadian experience.

“You were able to weave yourself into the fabric of Canada, which was great as an immigrant,” he said, remembering the smell of the lumber and getting his first Nintendo under the Christmas tree. “A drunk driver went right through the basement of that house when I was six or seven years old. Because of that strong Douglas fir, it didn’t collapse.”

After spending a decade in the Royal Canadian Air Force, Ventura sought a new way to give back to his community. He began preparing for a career in passive house construction, but after learning about deconstruction, he was hooked. 

“I felt I could have a better environmental impact, and I always looked to give back to my city, which has accepted me and my family,” he said. 

He believes the deconstruction sector has massive potential to divert material from landfills and build new affordable homes. While reclaimed wood has been chiefly used to create architectural elements and furniture, Ventura envisions remixing these old materials to build entire structures. 

“We are one of the few provinces with a different type of lumber used to build homes in the past: Douglas fir,” explained Ventura. “95% of Canada used SPF to build homes in the past, so what we have is very special. It’s old growth forest material that is 2,000 years old, but it’s gone and unavailable to use anymore.”

First, these woods have to be categorized and tested. 1920s and older is called first growth era material. From 1920 to 1945 is Antique and 1945 to 1990 is Vintage lumber containing Douglas fir lumber. Anything from 1990 onwards is Modern lumber SPF.

“The first-growth era lumber is great for architectural elements, hobbies, crafts, furniture,” said Ventura. “Then the vintage is the right dimension for building homes for their characterisation that its 1.5×3.5 dimensions and a lot of the lumber comes with a grade stamp suited, especially well for prefab and modular builds.”

Not only is VEMA working with the National Lumber Grading Association and university researchers from UBC and the University of Alberta to officially grade reclaimed lumber. They have partnered with Kiwi Innovation and Footprint Design to create prefabricated wall panels made from 70% deconstructed lumber. 

Ventura explained that this reduces construction costs, speeds up builds, and keeps these storied materials in the built environment rather than tossing them aside. 

“We’re changing an industry, disrupting it and professionalizing it,” said Ventura. “It’ll come to the point one day where it will just be deconstruction doing tendering on bids. And only if it cannot be deconstructed will demolition be allowed to bid.”

It’s not just theoretical. VEMA and its partners are using the prefab panels to build a 3,700-square-foot, net-zero energy-ready, carbon performance EL-4 home in North Burnaby. They are also working with Best Builders to retrofit a 1908 character home and infill the rear of the property to build a new home out of reclaimed material panels. 

“There’s a lot of support from the community,” said Ventura. “I just think right now what’s lacking is education. People don’t know that after their home is crushed, it goes to the landfill. And deconstruction doesn’t cost more, and it doesn’t take longer.”

Key Takeaways:

• WZMH and sparkbird are looking to transform Toronto’s underused parking lots and library spaces into mixed-use community hubs. These development concepts, HUBS and ELEVATE, integrate housing, innovation, and sustainability to meet the growing demand for affordable housing in the city.
• One of the innovative components of these projects is the integration of AI-powered micro data centers. These data centers, placed in strategic locations such as libraries and schools, could create interconnected hubs that support local businesses, education, and generate revenue, making the projects financially viable for the private sector.
• Both HUBS and ELEVATE would leverage public-private partnerships to ensure the projects are self-sustaining, reduce operational costs, and create new revenue streams.

The Whole Story:

Toronto architecture firm WZMH and its research lab, sparkbird, are reimagining the city’s parking lots and libraries in an innovative way to fund affordable housing and take advantage of underutilized space.

Relief can’t come soon enough. With the city’s population expected to surpass 4.2 million by 2051, the demand for affordable housing continues to grow, while aging public infrastructure struggles to keep pace.

Zenon Radewych, a principal at the firm, explained that his team began looking at Toronto’s 100 public libraries and nearly 600 schools for opportunities. Many sit on underutilized land, including single-story buildings and vast asphalt parking lots.

Their result was two forward-thinking initiatives, HUBS (Housing, Urban Bibliotheca, Servers) and ELEVATE, which transform underutilized spaces into mixed-use community hubs that integrate housing, innovation, and sustainability:

• HUBS modernizes Toronto’s aging library branches by revitalizing outdated single-story buildings into vibrant, multi-functional developments featuring new libraries, housing, and AI-powered micro data centers.
• ELEVATE converts underused school parking lots into much-needed housing while integrating citywide AI server hubs that support education and local businesses.

Both models leverage Public-Private Partnerships, ensuring these transformations are self-sustaining, reduce operational costs, and generate new revenue streams, while supporting the City’s housing and smart city goals.

“When you look at HUBS, and this applies to other cities too, many libraries are on great public transit routes in densely populated areas and are vintage buildings in need of repair on sites that could be a lot smaller,” said Radewych. “Modern libraries don’t require the same footprint. Why not add density?”

Similarly, Radewych and his team looked at schools and found many have large parking lots that are empty most of the time. They propose partnering with developers to build residential units above these schools and maintain parking just for staff.

The AI data centre component is where things get really interesting. WZMH and sparkbird are proposing integrating AI-powered micro data centres into these projects, interconnecting them to create a larger server.

“We were looking at how to help solve this housing issue but in a way that makes it more exciting and financially viable for the private sector,” said Radewych. “It’s a way to generate revenue.”

He noted that data centre work has become a key part of WZMH and demand is only growing.

“I think there will eventually be small hubs deployed at facilities in dense neighbourhoods, close to fibre routes and keeping them small, even one server rack, means you don’t need lots of power or cooling so it simplifies this solution,” he said.

He added that for cities with aging library and school infrastructure, it’s a win-win. Communities can get new facilities as well as added housing above.

“It’s a new idea that’s starting to become more popular,” said Radewych. “We have looked at it carefully, picked the right sites and the data centre component is icing on the cake. But how do we further reduce the cost of these buildings? Out of this, other ideas have come up through brainstorming, like modularizing the mechanical and electrical room. We want to take the next steps to really reduce the costs for construction and not impact the usable area.”

Check out these renderings of WZMH’s ELEVATE and HUBS concepts:

Key Takeaways:

• Researchers at UBC Okanagan and MMRI are tackling the significant environmental challenge of construction and demolition (C&D) waste by developing innovative circular economy models to maximize material recovery and reuse.
• The project, supported by the City of Richmond, NSERC, and Mitacs, aims to assess the techno-economic feasibility of reclaiming and upcycling C&D waste, demonstrating how local collaborations can drive global sustainability efforts.
• By reducing landfill contributions and promoting economic opportunities, the initiative positions Richmond as a national leader in circular economy practices while aligning with Canada’s net-zero emissions goals.

The Whole Story:

Researchers at UBC Okanagan’s School of Engineering and UBC’s Materials and Manufacturing Research Institute (MMRI) have embarked on a groundbreaking interdisciplinary project to advance sustainable practices in the construction industry. Their focus? Tackling the significant environmental challenges posed by construction and demolition (C&D) waste.

The project, “Application of the Circular Economy to Demolished or Deconstructed Multi-Family Units and ICI Buildings in Richmond BC,” is funded through a collaborative partnership. Supporting organizations include the City of Richmond, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), and Mitacs, a national innovation organization that connects businesses and researchers with access to talent, financial support, and collaborations.

“Construction and demolition waste, such as wood, concrete, and plastics, constitutes nearly one-third of global solid waste,” said Abbas S. Milani, Principal Investigator (PI) for the project. “Despite over 75% of these materials retaining residual value, the majority ends up in landfills.”

The project work packages, managed by Research Engineer Bryn Crawford at MMRI, address the pressing need for sustainable material management strategies, with the City of Richmond as the primary stakeholder in Canada, alongside industry partners VEMA Deconstruction Inc. and Axiom Builders Inc.

The multidisciplinary research team, led by Milani (Director of MMRI), Shahria Alam (Director of Green Construction Research Training Centre), Ahmad Rteil, Mohammad Arjmand, and Kasun Hewage, aim to develop a series of techno-economic assessment and life cycle assessment models, mechanical recycling and upcycling methods, and data-informed circular economy models.

Using these new methods and models, the group will explore how to maximize the recovery and reuse of C&D waste and then share their findings within the academic research community, industry, and municipalities.

The project’s outcomes are anticipated to significantly reduce landfill contributions, promote economic opportunities, and further establish Richmond as a national leader in circular economy initiatives.

Specifically, the team aims to demonstrate the feasibility of reclaiming C&D waste and converting it into value-added products, which can then re-enter the construction industry supply chain in the region along with other targeted applications.

“This initiative is deemed a vital step and one of first in its kind toward exploring how C&D waste can be transformed into valuable resources under a municipality-driven research project, showcasing how local collaborations can drive global sustainability efforts,” said Milani. “It also aligns with Canada’s net-zero emissions goals and highlights UBC’s dedication to cutting-edge research that addresses complex environmental challenges.”

Key Takeaways:

• Alberta’s government is funding 15 projects through the TIER program and Emissions Reduction Alberta to develop and implement technologies that create jobs, lower costs, and reduce emissions across various industries.
• Key projects include thermal energy reuse in wastewater treatment, low-emission cement production, AI-driven reforestation, plastic recycling, and methane leak prevention in oil and gas wells. Each project receives between $500,000 and $10 million.
• The funded projects are expected to cut 119,000 tonnes of emissions annually, with a total reduction of 2.2 million tonnes by 2050, while creating nearly 1,600 jobs and adding $237 million to Alberta’s GDP by 2027.

The Whole Story:

Alberta’s government announced it is investing $55 million to help businesses develop technologies that create jobs, lower costs and reduce emissions.

The money comes from the industry-funded TIER program to help industries, big and small, test and implement the technologies they need to keep leading the world. Delivered through Emissions Reduction Alberta, this funding will help 15 projects develop cutting-edge technologies that could one day be used across Canada and around the world.

This funding will support projects across the economy, including the energy, newsprint, cement, water treatment, dairy and forestry sectors. In total, $46 million will go to 12 projects through Emissions Reduction Alberta’s Industrial Transformation Challenge, with an additional $8.7 million invested in three projects approved through the Partnership Intake Program.

Funding ranges from $500,000 to $10 million for each project. There are the ones related to the industrial sector:

• $7.45 million to help the City of Calgary install a first-in-Alberta and second-in-Canada technology to use thermal energy at the Fish Creek wastewater treatment plant.
• $4 million to help Lafarge Canada explore using calcined clay in cement products, lowering the overall emission intensity of cement while maintaining strength.
• $3.7 million to help Flash Forest Inc. advance a proof-of-concept that uses drones, AI-based site selection software and ecological science to speed up and improve tree planting and reforestation. 
• $2 million to help Merlin Plastics develop a commercial-scale operation that will divert hard-to-recycle plastics from landfills or incineration.
• $700,000 to help TS-Nano Canada test a new product that will more effectively seal oil and gas wells, reducing potential methane leaks and reducing operational costs.

These projects are estimated to reduce 119,000 tonnes of emissions each year, 394,000 tonnes of emissions by 2030, and more than 2.2 million tonnes of emissions by 2050. Officials say they could create almost 1,600 jobs and inject $237 million into Alberta’s GDP by 2027.

Emissions Reduction Alberta’s Partnership Intake Program acts as a catalyst to de-risk and deploy novel technology solutions by giving applicants the opportunity to leverage funding from both Emissions Reduction Alberta and trusted partner organizations.

Industrial Transformation Challenge applicants and their technologies can originate from anywhere in the world, but projects must be piloted, demonstrated or deployed in Alberta and show significant emissions reduction and economic benefits within the province.  

Successful applicants are eligible for up to $10 million per project, with a minimum request of $500,000. Funding received through the Industrial Transformation Challenge will match private contributions on a one-to-one basis.

Concrete is the most abundant, man-made material on earth. Its strength and versatility make it essential for foundations, bridges, roads, walls, floors, tunnels, precast products, and more. Yet demand is expected to soar, with the global cement market projected to double by 2060 compared to 2020. To put this into perspective, it’s like building the equivalent of New York City every month for the next 40 years.

A two-pronged problem

Cement suppliers are struggling to keep up. Mix that in with supply chain disruptions and skyrocketing demand, and you’ve got a recipe for project delays and rising costs. Even if demand could be met, the industry faces another major challenge: its environmental impact. While concrete is the backbone of modern construction, its cement content contributes to approximately 8% of global CO₂ emissions.

Forming a circle

There may be a solution that tackles both issues at once. Carbon Upcycling, a Canadian-based company, is revolutionizing the cement industry by turning industrial waste into advanced, low-carbon cement products. Their innovative technology not only reduces emissions but also provides a reliable domestic supply of critical materials. This approach creates industrial synergies, upcycles waste, and helps developers meet sustainability goals without sacrificing quality or cost.

“Billions of tonnes of industrial byproducts are sitting unused in our environment,” said Madison Savilow, Carbon Upcycling’s Director of Corporate & External Affairs. “Our process transforms these low-cost, low-grade materials into a reliable and domestically produced supply, reducing reliance on foreign imports and creating local jobs.”

Carbon Upcycling’s concept is simple: repurpose waste from other industries like steel, mining, and energy and turn them into low-carbon cement products. This is achieved using a patented process where large catalytic systems exfoliate industrial waste particles and bind them to CO2 sources. The result is an enhanced cement product that can be blended directly into mix designs. By transforming industrial waste that would otherwise end up in landfills, this creates a circular economy, helping the cement industry reduce its carbon footprint and create more sustainable building materials.

Less dependence, more strength

“This approach aligns economic priorities with global sustainability goals,” said Savilow. “It enables communities to source materials and labour locally, reducing supply chain vulnerability and embodied carbon while fostering a robust local economy.”

It doesn’t just help the planet. Creating materials in Canada’s backyard cuts domestic manufacturers’ reliance on foreign material imports by enhancing untapped, local materials into low-carbon cement products – onshoring supply chains and keeping jobs local. 

It also results in better performance. The process enhances material strength and reactivity, enabling low-carbon cement blends that meet or exceed North American and European standards at scale and cost parity – boosting early concrete strength by up to 40% and improving climate resilience.

Hitting the road

Research and lab tests only go so far. Carbon Upcycling has also thrown its product up against others on real projects in some of the most challenging environments in North America. 

Last year they delivered ~1000 tonnes of CO₂-enhanced fly ash to BURNCO Rock Products Ltd. as part of a groundbreaking initiative to deploy low-carbon concrete in the City of Calgary. An additional 2,000+ tonnes of CO₂-enhanced material have also been deployed across the province, including sidewalks, housing foundations, slabs, pathways at Telus Spark, and gutters at the Calgary Zoo. 

They also recently hit the three-year check point on a multi-year study with the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) and the National Road Research Alliance (NRRA) on the use of low-carbon cement in highways. The results highlight Carbon Upcycling’s ability to be a drop-in solution for reducing carbon-intensive cement in concrete without changing its workability.

Key Takeaways:

• Incorporating just 20% of recycled crushed aggregates (RCA) into public infrastructure projects can save local governments over $260 million and reduce greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to removing 15 million cars annually. RCA also preserves non-renewable resources, reduces waste, and minimizes traffic congestion.
• Extensive testing and use in major Ontario infrastructure projects, such as 400-series highways and Pearson International Airport, demonstrate RCA’s high performance. A coalition of nine industry organizations is advocating for policies to maximize RCA’s economic and environmental benefits in Ontario.
• The coalition suggests key policy measures, including mandating a minimum 20% RCA usage, harmonizing municipal specifications with provincial standards, and prohibiting “primary-only” specifications in tenders. They also recommend funding incentives to encourage municipalities to adopt RCA in public infrastructure projects.

The Whole Story:

A coalition of Ontario civil infrastructure leaders, builders, suppliers, and engineers has launched a campaign to urge government leaders to adopt policy changes to increase sustainability in the construction of public infrastructure projects.

A government mandate to include just 20 per cent of recycled crushed aggregates (RCA) for critical construction projects like roads, subdivisions, highways, bridges, and tunnels can save local governments more than $260 million, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to removing 15 million cars from the road annually.

“Recycled aggregates are cost-effective, sustainable, and high-performing and can help municipalities deliver more from their capital plans while helping to reach their net-zero targets,” said Raly Chakarova, Executive Director of the Toronto and Area Road Builders Association (TARBA). “Using more recycled materials in construction projects can preserve non-renewable resources, reduce waste and traffic congestion, and contribute to long-term sustainability.”

RCA is made from reclaimed concrete and asphalt that would otherwise end up in landfills. By adding it to upcoming infrastructure projects, RCA offers significant economic advantages for municipalities struggling to address a growing state of good repair backlog and the infrastructure investments needed to keep up with population growth. 

Provincial standards and extensive testing have shown RCA to be as high-performing as primary aggregate, and RCA already has a proven track record in Ontario, including in our 400-series highways, Pearson International Airport, house-enabling infrastructure in subdivisions, and Greater Toronto Area transit projects.

Across the world, governments are incentivizing the use of RCA through policies and regulations that accelerate the shift toward sustainable construction materials. A coalition of nine industry organizations — Concrete Ontario, Good Roads, the Greater Toronto Sewer and Watermain Construction Association (GTSWCA), Heavy Civil Association of Toronto (HCAT), Ontario Road Builders Association (ORBA), Residential and Civil Construction Alliance of Ontario (RCCAO), Ontario Sand, Stone, and Gravel Association (OSSGA), Ontario Society of Professional Engineers (OSPE), and Toronto and Area Road Builders Association (TARBA) —

is advocating for municipal and provincial decision-makers to take the lead here in Ontario and maximize RCA’s economic and environmental benefits.

At the municipal level:

• Include the use of RCA in tenders for construction projects.
• Mandate a minimum amount of RCA for all public infrastructure projects.
• Harmonize municipal specifications for RCA through provincial standards.

At the provincial level:

• Incentivize the use of RCA through funding for municipal infrastructure projects.
• Prohibit municipalities from specifying “primary-only” in public infrastructure tenders.
• Harmonize municipal specifications for RCA through provincial standards.
• Mandate a minimum 20 percent RCA of aggregates used on all municipal, regional, and provincial public infrastructure projects.

Key Takeaways:

• The Goose Harbour Lake Wind Farm will generate 168 MW of zero-emission electricity, reduce emissions by over 350,000 tonnes annually, and support Nova Scotia’s energy transition from coal to renewables. It also aids the economic well-being of the province by supplying electricity to Port Hawkesbury Paper, a key regional employer.
• The Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB) is supporting the 13 Mi’kmaw First Nations, represented by Wskijinu’k Mtmo’taqnuow Agency Ltd. (WMA), to acquire a 10% equity stake in the project through an Indigenous equity loan. This initiative ensures Indigenous participation and governance, granting a board position to the First Nations group.
• Financed under CIB’s $10 billion Clean Power priority sector, the $224.2 million loan demonstrates strategic investment in large-scale renewable energy projects to address financing gaps.

The Whole Story:

The Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB) is providing $224.2 million in loans to help Port Hawkesbury Paper Wind Ltd build a large-scale wind energy project and support 13 Mi’kmaw First Nations, through Wskijinu’k Mtmo’taqnuow Agency Ltd. (WMA), buy a 10% stake in the project.

The Goose Harbour Lake Wind Farm involves construction and installation of 24 Nordex N163-7.0MW cold climate turbines at a 118 metre hub height with anti-icing system blade technology, producing zero-emission, sustainable electricity generation capacity of 168 megawatts. The lead building team is RES Canada Construction LP.

The wind project will support Nova Scotia’s largest industrial user of electricity, Port Hawkesbury Paper and the provincial energy grid.

Government officials stated that the paper mill is a significant contributor to the economic well-being of Nova Scotia, and particularly the eastern region of the province. Economic impact studies confirmed the mill directly employs approximately 325 people, and contracts another 900 jobs, employing hundreds of forestry contractors and suppliers.

The project will create 150 jobs at peak of construction, up to five permanent jobs during the operations phase.

The Indigenous equity loan is the second to WMA, following a deal last year related to an energy storage project in Nova Scotia.

The wind farm is expected to reduce energy production emissions by more than 350,000 tonnes a year, equivalent to 2.4 per cent of Nova Scotia’s emissions in 2021, and help the province’s energy transition, moving from coal to renewables.

Commercial operations are expected to begin in 2026.

The project is being financed under the CIB’s $10 billion Clean Power priority sector, which is dedicated to addressing financing gaps in new projects such as renewables, district energy systems and energy storage.

“Our latest clean power investment in Nova Scotia supports sustainable economic development in the Atlantic province and the delivery of electricity to a paper mill which is a large Nova Scotia employer,” said Ehren Cory, CEO, Canada Infrastructure Bank. “The $203.9-million investment will help build one of Nova Scotia’s largest wind energy projects and support all First Nations in the province to buy a meaningful equity stake and have a voice through a board position in the project.”

Key Takeaways:

• Deep Sky, a Quebec-based company, has secured a $57M grant from Breakthrough Energy Catalyst to construct its Deep Sky Alpha facility and advance the development of direct air capture (DAC) technologies.
• Deep Sky Alpha will test multiple DAC technologies to identify the most effective solutions for large-scale carbon removal.
• This initiative aligns with Catalyst’s mission to support scalable and high-impact climate technologies.

The Whole Story:

Deep Sky, a Quebec-based carbon removal project developer, announced that it has secured a $57M million grant commitment from Breakthrough Energy Catalyst . The funds, subject to the satisfaction of funding conditions, will be allocated to the construction of Deep Sky Alpha (formerly Deep Sky Labs) and its associated research and testing of direct air capture (DAC) technologies. Deep Sky Alpha will deploy multiple DAC technologies to test and identify the most promising technologies, as part of Deep Sky’s initiative to lower the cost of large-scale commercial carbon removal. This marks Catalyst’s first-ever investment in both a Canadian and Direct Air Capture (DAC) project.

The Catalyst program funds large demonstration projects and invests in first-of-a-kind commercial projects that use emerging climate technologies. It prioritizes projects with high-impact and scalable climate tech that need additional capital to reach commercial scale. Alpha is Deep Sky’s first facility and is scheduled to be operational and delivering carbon removal credits by Spring 2025.

Catalyst officials explained that they are supporting Deep Sky’s efforts to build large-scale carbon removal and storage infrastructure in Canada. As a project developer, Deep Sky is working to bring together the most promising direct air and ocean capture technologies to accelerate delivery of high-quality carbon removal credits to the market. Powered by renewable energy, Deep Sky’s facilities are strategically located in Canada, a region with all of the natural resources to become a world leader in carbon removal. Catalyst noted that hydroelectric power, wind power potential, and a rich geological makeup make it an ideal place for engineered carbon removal and storage.

“Securing support from Breakthrough Energy Catalyst marks another milestone for our company and for the DAC industry,” said Damien Steel, Deep Sky CEO. “The financial backing from Breakthrough Energy Catalyst will play a crucial role in helping Deep Sky realize its ambitious goals. However, the partnership with Breakthrough Energy Catalyst and their expertise into what it takes to build projects at scale has already been transformative to Deep Sky.”

Together, Deep Sky and Catalyst stated that they are committed to developing and deploying cutting-edge carbon dioxide removal (CDR) technologies. High-quality CDR is essential for achieving net-zero emissions goals and mitigating the impacts of climate change.

“In 2025, Deep Sky will deliver on our promise to rapidly scale carbon removals, and we remain unapologetically ambitious as we look to the future,” Steel added.

Catalyst currently focuses on five technology areas: clean hydrogen, sustainable aviation fuel, direct air capture, long-duration energy storage, and manufacturing decarbonization. In addition to capital, Catalyst leverages the team’s energy-infrastructure-investing and project-development expertise to work with innovators on advancing their projects from the development stage to funding and ultimately, to construction.

Key Takeaways:

• The Watay Power Transmission Project is the largest Indigenous-led energy initiative in Ontario’s history. It highlights the ability of Indigenous communities to lead large-scale infrastructure projects, fostering self-determination and ownership of critical assets in their traditional territories.
• The project connected 16 remote First Nations communities to Ontario’s clean energy grid, reducing reliance on costly diesel generators.
• It is expected to eliminate 6.6 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions annually—equivalent to removing 35,000 cars from the road—while creating over 5,000 jobs, including significant participation from First Nations workers.

The Whole Story:

The Ontario government and Wataynikaneyap (Watay) Power are celebrating the completion of construction for the Watay Power Transmission Project, the largest Indigenous-led grid connection project in Ontario’s history.

Watay Power has built approximately 1,800 kilometres of new transmission lines that will connect more than 18,000 people in 16 remote First Nations communities to the provincial grid, ending their reliance on costly and noisy diesel generators.

“We are proud to support Wataynikaneyap Power in the largest Indigenous-led energy project in our province’s history, as we expand our grid to provide reliable, affordable and clean electricity to some of the province’s most remote communities,” said Stephen Lecce, Minister of Energy and Electrification. “While this project is already leaving its mark, having created new good-paying jobs across the north, its legacy will be the new opportunities it creates for Indigenous communities, including new housing, community services and schools.”

With construction now complete on the line, the following First Nations communities have been connected to Ontario’s clean energy grid: Wawakapewin First Nation, Kasabonika Lake First Nation, Wunnumin Lake First Nation, Sandy Lake First Nation, Sachigo Lake First Nation, Deer Lake First Nation, Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug First Nation, Wapekeka First Nation, Pikangikum First Nation, North Caribou Lake First Nation, Kingfisher Lake First Nation and Bearskin Lake First Nation.

In 2025, Muskrat Dam First Nation, Poplar Hill First Nation, North Spirit Lake and Keewaywin First Nations will also be connected to Ontario’s clean energy grid.

“This milestone is a moment to celebrate – the completion of the largest and farthest-reaching Indigenous-led energy project in Ontario’s history,” said Sam Oosterhoff, Associate Minister of Energy-Intensive Industries. “What will be remembered about this project is the legacy it leaves: the new opportunities it creates for First Nations in their communities, from housing and jobs to community care. Our government is proud to have supported the leadership and vision of Wataynikaneyap Power and the First Nations communities who made this achievement possible.”

More than 5,000 workers contributed to the Watay Power Transmission Project, including nearly a thousand individuals from First Nation communities across the north. Through the elimination of diesel for electricity generation, the project is estimated to remove 6.6 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions per year, equivalent to taking almost 35,000 cars off the road.

“The completion of this project marks the achievement of First Nations working together tirelessly for 35 years to connect communities to the transmission grid,” said Margaret Kenequanash, CEO of Wataynikaneyap Power. “Well before this project started in 2008, the First Nations in the area agreed to work on energy as a regional issue. To own infrastructure in our Homelands and build a solid foundation for our future generations, this work has been a success and it must continue.”

The construction sector is a major contributor to global carbon emissions, with concrete at the forefront of the challenge. As one of the most widely used building materials in the world, concrete production accounts for roughly 8% of global CO₂ emissions, largely due to the energy-intensive process of making cement, its key ingredient.

This environmental toll poses a critical challenge as urbanization and infrastructure demands continue to grow. However, a new wave of sustainable concrete companies is emerging, offering innovative solutions to reduce emissions, recycle materials, and incorporate alternative, eco-friendly methods of production, paving the way for greener construction practices.

CarbonCure Technologies

Nova Scotia-based CarbonCure has pioneered a technology that injects recycled CO₂ into fresh concrete, where it mineralizes and becomes permanently embedded, reducing the carbon footprint of concrete. As of October 2024, CarbonCure and its global network of concrete producers have saved 500,000 metric tons of CO₂ across 7.5 million truckloads of green concrete.

CarbiCrete

Quebec-based CarbiCrete has developed a cement-free concrete that sequesters CO₂ during production, resulting in a carbon-negative product. First developed at McGill University, their tech enables the production of cement-free concrete. The process uses an industrial by-product – the slag from steel factories – to replace cement as a binding ingredient in concrete products. The process injects CO2 into the fresh concrete to provide strength, while permanently sequestering CO2 within the resulting products. In December 2024, CarbiCrete collaborated with Aecon and Lafarge Canada to construct a low-carbon building in Ontario, utilizing their cement-free concrete masonry units.

Lafarge Canada

Lafarge has developed its own solution to reducing the environmental impact of concrete. ECOpact  offers up to 90% lower CO₂ emissions compared to standard (CEM I) concrete with no compromise in performance. It contains an innovative mix of supplementary cementitious materials and admixtures technology. Where norms allow, ECOPact can include construction and demolition waste. In November 2024, Lafarge Canada and The Daniels Corporation announced a collaboration on the Daniels on Parliament project in Toronto, achieving up to a 25% reduction in embodied carbon through the use of ECOpact.

Carbon Upcycling

Alberta-based Carbon Upcycling captures byproducts from industrial sources and then transforms them into high-performance additives for concrete, enhancing its strength and durability while reducing its carbon footprint. Their patented technology combines CO2 with waste materials like fly ash and steel slag, permanently mineralizing the carbon and creating high-performance additives for concrete. This process can reduce the clinker content in cement by up to 50%. Their team recently wrapped up a three-year pilot study with the Minnesota Department of Transportation, showing that low-carbon concrete is 30% stronger than existing roadways.

Ecocem

Ecocem produces low-carbon cement by replacing a portion of clinker with slag, a byproduct of steel production. This innovative approach reduces greenhouse gas emissions while maintaining strength and durability. Ecocem’s efforts are part of a broader movement to decarbonize the cement industry, with the company aiming to revolutionize the industry by decarbonizing this highly polluting sector.

CEMEX

A global building materials company, CEMEX offers sustainable concrete solutions, including their low-CO2 Vertua concrete products. Vertua concrete uses innovative geopolymer cement solutions and sustainable raw materials to achieve lower carbon footprints. These concrete mixes can achieve up to 70% reduction. Their Vertua Ultra Zero mix is a carbon-neutral product, offsetting remaining unavoidable emissions through partnerships with carbon offset specialists. Founded in 1906 and headquartered in San Pedro, Mexico, they are a global leader in the building materials industry, operating in over 50 countries. 

Sublime Systems

Sublime Systems, founded in 2020 by Dr. Leah Ellis and Prof. Yet-Ming Chiang at MIT, is a groundbreaking startup revolutionizing cement production through electrochemistry. Their innovative process dramatically reduces carbon emissions by using renewable electricity to produce cement at room temperature, eliminating the need for fossil fuel-powered kilns. In a major recent development, Holcim invested in Sublime Systems in September 2024 to help scale up their first commercial manufacturing facility in Massachusetts, giving Holcim a large share of Sublime Cement production.

Carboclave

Carboclave is an Ontario-based company founded in 2016 that specializes in innovative concrete manufacturing technologies aimed at reducing carbon emissions. The company employs a unique curing method that utilizes carbon dioxide (CO2) instead of traditional steam, resulting in prefabricated concrete products that are not only stronger and more durable but also have a significantly lower carbon footprint—up to 50% reduction in embodied carbon. Carboclave’s technology enhances the curing process through exothermic mineralization, which not only accelerates production but also contributes to sustainability by transforming concrete manufacturers into carbon sinks.

Key Takeaways:

• Ontario has increased its largest competitive energy procurement target by 50%, from 5,000 MW to up to 7,500 MW, to meet rising energy demand projected to grow by 75% by 2050. This procurement aims to provide energy for approximately 1.6 million homes.
• The procurement process will be transparent, competitive, and technology-agnostic. It will also emphasize protecting agricultural areas, fostering Indigenous partnerships, and encouraging northern Ontario development. The government is exploring additional procurement options, such as long-duration energy storage and small-scale renewable projects.
• Ontario’s energy strategy integrates various elements, including advancing nuclear energy projects, building new transmission infrastructure, and expanding energy efficiency programs. This holistic approach is designed to meet future demand sustainably while maintaining affordability and supporting economic growth.

The Whole Story:

The Ontario government is expanding the largest competitive energy procurement in the province’s history by 50% to meet soaring energy demand.

The government announced it has increased the target for the procurement from 5,000 megawatts (MW) to up to 7,500 MW.

Since the procurement was first announced, Ontario’s Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) has released an updated electricity demand forecast which now shows the province will need 75% more electricity by 2050, the equivalent of adding four and a half cities the size of Toronto to the grid. To meet this growing demand, the government directed IESO to begin the government’s Second Long-Term Procurement (LT2) and implement the increased procurement target.

“Our government is expanding what is already the largest competitive procurement in the province’s history as demand for electricity continues to grow,” said Stephen Lecce, Minister of Energy and Electrification. “This expanded procurement will deliver enough power for 1.6 million homes, which is critical as our population and economy continue to grow. Unlike the former government which allowed hydro rates to soar, we are keeping costs down by planning ahead and using competitive procurement.”

Ontario says the procurement process for LT2 will be “transparent, competitive, and technology-agnostic” to secure the lowest cost energy resources. The process will also endeavor to protect prime agricultural areas, promote Indigenous partnerships, and encourage development in northern Ontario.

Alongside the launch of the LT2 procurement, the government has asked the IESO to report back on options to run two additional procurements, including:

• Options for a procurement of long-lead energy resources, including hydro and long-duration energy storage, recognizing the benefits of these unique resources that require more time to design and build.
• Options for a program to re-contract existing and acquire new-build small-scale electricity generation, such as smaller solar installations, that connect directly to the province’s distribution system.

“Access to sufficient, sustainable, and affordable energy is not just vital to helping businesses grow, it’s also a key factor in attracting new businesses and investment,” said Jaipaul Massey-Singh, CEO, Brampton Board of Trade. “This announcement by the Ontario government will help our province continue to be a premier destination for industry and help our economy grow.”

Procuring new long-term energy generation is just one part of Ontario’s Affordable Energy Future, the government’s vision as it plans for rising energy demand, which includes:

• Energy Planning – Developing the province’s first integrated energy plan, including a broad range of energy resources, such as electricity, natural gas, and other fuels to ensure the province’s energy needs are met in a coordinated and long-term manner.
• Nuclear Energy – Advancing clean, reliable, and affordable nuclear power through pre-development work at Bruce Power on the province’s first large-scale nuclear build in 30 years, four small modular reactors at Darlington and supporting OPG’s plan for refurbishing the Pickering Nuclear Generation Station.
• New Transmission Infrastructure – Designating and prioritizing transmission lines in Southwestern, Northeastern and Eastern Ontario that will power job creators, including EV and EV battery manufacturing and clean steel production.
• Keeping Costs Down – Expanding energy efficiency programs which are helping families and businesses reduce electricity usage and save money on energy bills.

Key Takeaways:

• BC Hydro has awarded 30-year purchase agreements to nine wind projects, providing nearly 5,000 GWh/year—enough to power 500,000 new homes. This boosts BC Hydro’s supply by 8% and aligns with provincial goals to make British Columbia a clean-energy leader while maintaining affordable electricity rates.
• Projects require a minimum of 25% First Nations equity ownership, with eight of the nine projects having 51% ownership. This represents $2.5–$3 billion in Indigenous investment. The initiative is expected to generate $5–$6 billion in private capital spending throughout B.C.
• To expedite project completion, the province plans to exempt wind projects from environmental assessments while implementing rigorous permitting processes that protect First Nations interests and environmental mitigations.

The Whole Story:

BC Hydro has selected nine energy projects through its 2024 call for power.

“Clean and affordable electricity is key to powering economic growth and unlocking private-sector investment that creates thousands of good jobs here in British Columbia,” said Premier David Eby. “These new projects will significantly expand our electricity supply – making B.C. a clean-energy superpower, while ensuring rates are affordable for people and for industries looking to expand.”

BC Hydro says it received a strong response to its call for new renewable power-generation projects, and through its evaluation process will award 30-year electricity purchase agreements to nine wind projects. These projects will provide nearly 5,000 gigawatt hours per year of electricity, enough to power 500,000 new homes, boosting BC Hydro’s current supply by 8%.

The development and construction of new clean-energy projects, in response to the call for power, will generate between $5 billion and $6 billion in private capital spending throughout the province.

“We need these new energy generation projects urgently to meet growing demand for power and accelerate our efforts to build a prosperous and inclusive clean economy,” said Adrian Dix, Minister of Energy and Climate Solutions. “Now that the projects have been selected, we’re going to work together with BC Hydro, First Nations and proponents to get these projects built quickly, responsibly and efficiently, and get those turbines spinning.”

To ensure the projects are completed as efficiently as possible, the Province intends to exempt these wind projects and all future wind projects in B.C. from environmental assessment, while ensuring First Nations interests and environmental mitigations are protected and maintained.

“It’s clear there are enormous opportunities to generate clean electricity through wind, and that we need to do more to get larger projects online faster,” said Tamara Davidson, Minister of Environment and Parks. “That’s why we are announcing our intention to exempt wind-power projects from the environmental assessment process, with a rigorous provincial permitting process in place, while ensuring First Nations are full partners in our shared, sustainable future.”

BC Hydro engaged extensively with First Nations on the design of the call for power, and included a requirement that projects must have a minimum 25% equity ownership held by First Nations. Eight of the nine successful energy projects will have 51% equity ownership. This represents $2.5 billion to $3 billion of ownership by First Nations in new renewable energy projects in the province.

The cost of wind has dropped significantly over the past decade, and these new projects align with the trend of renewable costs decreasing. When adjusted to today’s dollars, the average price from the successful projects in this call is about 40% lower than BC Hydro’s last call for clean power in 2010, reducing rate impacts and keeping electricity bills affordable for people and businesses.

Adding these new wind projects will diversify BC Hydro’s generation mix. B.C. is well positioned to add more intermittent renewables, such as wind, to the electricity grid as its integrated, flexible system of hydroelectric dams act as batteries. Reservoirs store water and allow BC Hydro to ramp production up or down almost instantly, providing a reliable backup when the wind is not blowing.

The Province and BC Hydro are committed to conducting regular, competitive calls for power based on electricity demand. This will ensure that B.C. has the clean electricity it needs as the economy and population continues to grow, while keeping BC Hydro rates affordable.

Along with the call for power, BC Hydro is taking a number of actions to ensure it will continue to meet the growing demand from population growth and housing construction, business and industrial development, and transportation.

Together, these actions will power more than one million new homes in the coming years. This includes: adding the Site C hydroelectric dam, which will power 500,000 homes; investing in energy efficiency, which is expected to result in 2,000 gigawatt hours per year of electricity saving or enough to power 200,000 homes; as well as renewing existing electricity purchase agreements and exploring the use of utility-scale batteries.

Here are all the projects:

Boulder and Elkhart Wind Project

• Proponent: Elkhart Wind Limited Partnership
• IPP partner: Elemental Energy
• First Nation partner: Upper Nicola Band
• Project size in megawatts (MW): 94
• Regional system: South Interior West

Brewster Wind Project

• Proponent: Brewster Wind Inc.
• IPP partner: Capstone Infrastructure
• First Nation partner: Wei Wai Kum First Nation
• Project size (MW): 197
• Regional system: Vancouver Island

Highland Valley Wind Project

• Proponent: Highland Valley Wind Inc.
• IPP partner: Capstone Infrastructure
• First Nation partner: Ashcroft Indian Band
• Project size (MW): 197
• Regional system: South Interior West

K2 Wind Project

• Proponent: K2 Wind Power Inc.
• IPP partner: Innergex Renewable Energy Inc.
• First Nation partner: Westbank First Nation
• Project size (MW): 160
• Regional system: South Interior West

Mount Mabel Wind Project

• Proponent: Mount Mabel Wind Inc.
• IPP partner: Capstone Infrastructure
• First Nation partner: Lower Nicola Indian Band
• Project size (MW): 143
• Regional system: South Interior West

Nilhts’I Ecoener Project

• Proponent: Nilhts’I Ecoener Energy Corp
• IPP partner: Ecoener
• First Nations partner: Lheidli T´enneh
• Project Size (MW): 140
• Regional system: Central Interior

Nithi Mountain Wind Project

• Proponent: General Partnership
• IPP partner: Innergex Renewable Energy Inc.
• First Nation partner: Stellat’en First Nation
• Project size (MW): 200
• Regional system: North Coast

Stewart Creek Wind Project

• Proponent: Stewart Creek Power Inc.
• IPP partner: Innergex Renewable Energy Inc.
• First Nation partner: West Moberly First Nation
• Project Size (MW): 200
• Regional system: Peace

Taylor Wind Project

• Proponent: Taylor Wind Project Inc.
• IPP partner: EDF Renewables
• First Nation partner: Saulteau First Nations
• Project size (MW): 200
• Regional system: Peace

Key Takeaways:

• The Government of Canada announced over $1 billion in funding to expand New Brunswick’s clean electricity capacity. This includes support for Indigenous-led wind projects, a coal-to-biomass conversion of the Belledune Generating Station, and the development of small modular reactors (SMRs) at Point Lepreau Nuclear Generation Station.
• Substantial funding is directed toward Indigenous communities, including $1 billion for wind projects and $25 million for the Neweg Energy wind project in partnership with the New Brunswick Mi’kmaq First Nations. Additionally, $500,000 is allocated for technical support to seven Mi’kmaq Nations in New Brunswick to enable participation in clean energy initiatives.
• The federal and provincial governments are collaborating on Clean Electricity Regulations and other initiatives to decarbonize New Brunswick’s energy system while ensuring reliability and affordability. These efforts aim to create jobs, foster economic growth, and position the province for a net-zero future.

The Whole Story:

The Government of Canada has announced over $1 billion in additional investments to ensure that as New Brunswick’s electricity demands grow substantially over the coming years, the province meets demand with clean electricity that is both reliable and affordable. NB Power estimates the following investments could help power up to 140,000 homes.

Officials noted that currently more than 80% of Canada’s electricity is generated from clean sources like hydropower, wind, solar, and nuclear – and it’s a big part of the reason why companies are choosing to invest in Canadian workers and business.

The investment details include:

• Up to $1 billion in federal support for up to 670 megawatts of Indigenous-led wind projects through the Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB) Clean Power priority sector and Indigenous Equity Initiative as well as Natural Resources Canada’s Smart Renewables and Electrification Pathways program (SREPs).
• $25 million from SREPs for the 25-megawatt Neweg Energy wind project, a partnership with the New Brunswick Mi’kmaq First Nations.
• $500,000 to the North Shore Mi’kmaq Tribal Council to provide seven Mi’kmaq Nations in New Brunswick resources and technical support and enable direct participation in clean energy opportunities.
• A commitment from Canada to work with New Brunswick and NB Power to support the conversion of the Belledune Generating Station from coal-fired power to biomass.
• $1.6 million from Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) to further investigate the conversion through engineering and planning studies, this is in addition to a previously announced $2 million from ACOA to evaluate different biomass fuel options.
• $25 million to NB Power for predevelopment work for up to 600 megawatts in new small modular reactor (SMR) capacity at the Point Lepreau Nuclear Generation Station through NRCan’s Electricity Predevelopment Program.
• $1.3 million to NB Power for predevelopment work on the modified Atlantic Loop transmission line between New Brunswick and Nova Scotia through NRCan’s Electricity Predevelopment program.

The Ministers also announced that the Government of Canada and the Government of New Brunswick have reached a common understanding on the forthcoming Clean Electricity Regulations that will provide the flexibilities needed to enable New Brunswick’s electricity system to grow and decarbonize all while ensuring it will be affordable, reliable, and non-emitting.

The federal and provincial governments, in collaboration with First Nations partners, have already been partnering through the New Brunswick Regional Table to identify and accelerate shared economic priorities for a net-zero future in the province’s energy and resource sectors. Investments announced today demonstrate the commitment to continue to collaborate and to take action to grow and decarbonize the electricity grid.

“Canadians are leaders in generating clean electricity that powers our communities and beyond,” said Jonathan Wilkinson, Canada’s Minister of Energy and Natural Resources. “Today’s shared commitment with New Brunswick is a clear signal that investing in clean electricity in New Brunswick creates jobs, drives economic growth, and positions New Brunswickers to take advantage of the economic opportunities presented by the clean economy, now and into the future. The federal government is a partner as we build a 21st century economy, underpinned by a clean electricity system, that places affordability and reliability at its core.”

Key Takeaways:

• Bio Graphene Solutions’ graphene-enhanced concrete admixture reduces cement content by 10% in standard commercial mixes.
• The pilot concrete pour, completed in collaboration with EllisDon Corporation and Tomlinson Ready Mix, demonstrated their product in a real-world construction setting, validating lab results and showcasing its potential for broad industry adoption.
• BGS says its mixture is the only solution capable of reducing cement content by up to 20% without compromising performance.

The Whole Story:

Bio Graphene Solutions has completed a pilot commercial concrete pour with EllisDon Corporation, a global construction services and technology company, and Tomlinson Ready Mix, one of Ottawa’s largest concrete providers and part of the Tomlinson Group of Companies.  

The company’s proprietary graphene-enhanced admixture was integrated seamlessly into the operational flow of a Tomlinson Ready Mix 32MPa-C-2 sidewalk concrete pour at an active construction project managed by EllisDon’s Ottawa team. The biographene-enhanced concrete mix utilized 10% less cement than the control mix design without sacrificing the fresh properties of the concrete.

Bio Graphene stated that the pilot testing is a critical milestone in demonstrating the in-situ performance of the biographene-enhanced mix, validating lab trials which have shown that the concrete achieves the 28-day targeted strength of 32MPa by 7 days. Their team added that the real-world applicability and benefits of the biographene-enhanced admixture are many, providing measurable material cost savings and significant embodied carbon reductions – as much as 280kgCO2e¹ per average concrete truckload.

“EllisDon strives to be at the forefront of how sustainability is changing the face of construction and what’s expected for the future of the industry,” dsif Jolene Mclaughlin, Vice President of Climate and Sustainability of EllisDon. “The implementation of innovative and new technologies, like BGS’s graphene admix solution, is a great example of how material science can drive meaningful change in embodied carbon reductions. Implementing innovations like these on our worksites can enable our company to develop some of the most sustainable concrete structures in Canada, in collaboration with our subtrade partners. We look forward to the successful completion of this project with BGS and our other partners.”

In 2023, BGS announced the development of a 100% “green” graphene-enhanced admixture for commercial concrete mix designs. Developed primarily to tackle the removal of cement (the binding material in a concrete mix that also contributes to more than 8% of the global CO2 emissions), the Company’s graphene-enhanced admixture can remove up to 20% of the cement content in concrete without sacrificing the compressive strength performance of the overall concrete product. BGS believes its product is the only admixture solution in the market that can facilitate the removal of cement and still provide significant cost and CO2 savings to its potential customers in non-specialized commercial concrete mix designs (30MPa to 50MPa mixtures).

“We are extremely fortunate to have the ability to work with partners like EllisDon and Tomlinson who support innovative and new technologies,” said David Fisher, CEO of BGS. “In a market that’s typically resistant to change, it’s important to highlight that there are sustainable and cost-effective solutions, like our graphene admixture product, that can provide meaningful value to the construction supply chain in a non-invasive manner. We look forward to the success of this pilot project and further working with EllisDon and Tomlinson in supporting commercial adoption of BGS’s graphene products overtime.”