Northern Development Initiative Trust’s board of directors has approved a $98,623 grant to help the Village of Port Clements build a biomass district heating system.
The system, which would be fueled by a 100-kilowatt biomass boiler system, will heat the Port Clements multiplex building, fire department and school gymnasium. The biomass system will reduce demand for diesel and propane fuels, as well as help the community become more environmentally sustainable.
The Village, which is home to approximately 400 people, has previously relied on costly diesel-generated electricity and propane to heat most of its buildings. The biomass district heating system, however, will help the Village reduce its emissions, exceed its carbon reduction targets and support healthier, cleaner air in the community.
The district heating system will be powered with biomass briquettes produced at a locally owned mill on Haida Gwaii, generating new value for previously underutilized wood waste.
The Village expects the district heating system will save the community $40,000 a year in heating costs, and up to $200,000 over five years.
The district heating system can also be expanded to include additional buildings in the future. Buildings in proximity to the system include the community medical clinic, a historic church, several residences and several acres of undeveloped commercial land.
The Village will own and operate the facility and monitor a meter at each building that connects to the biomass system, allowing the Village to determine locally what rates users should be charged to ensure the system’s operating costs are covered.
The grant is being provided through the Trust’s Economic Diversification Infrastructure program, which provides up to $250,000 in funding to municipalities, regional districts, First Nations and non-profit organizations in Northern Development’s service area for projects that significantly strengthen the local economy via a major capital investment.
Quotes
“This project not only significantly reduces costs for Port Clements, but also creates new revenue-generating value for previously under-used wood waste on Haida Gwaii. Northern Development is proud to support this project, and we look forward to seeing the energy system get built and begin generating savings for the community,” said Evan Saugstad, Chair, Northern Development Initiative Trust.
“The Village of Port Clements is excited to be moving forward with a biomass heating project. This project is a triple win for our community as it will lower heating costs, initially for the multiplex building and fire hall complex, help address the issue of an overabundance of biomass, and all the capital costs will be covered by funding from Northern Development Initiative Trust and the Province of British Columbia Community Works Fund,” said Kim Mushynsky, CAO, Village of Port Clements.
“All governments need to look for ways to be less intrusive on our environment. Our proposed biomass project is one way for Port Clements to do this and, with Northern Development Initiative Trust helping us, we now have funding in place to move forward with the project. Great news for Port Clements!” said Mayor Wally Cheer, Village of Port Clements.
“I believe in saving money and in clean energy. My dream was to get a co-generation plant built at the Port Clements Industrial Park to help make better use of our local wood waste, and reduce costs for the village. When I heard about the local wood briquette plant being built, as well as Telkwa’s district heating system, I had new energy to work and move this project ahead – and thanks to Northern Development it will happen!” said Urs Thomas, Councillor, Village of Port Clements.
Quick Facts
• Northern Development has already approved 17 projects through the Economic Diversification Infrastructure program in 2014, with a combined total funding commitment of $3,621,283
• The biomass district heating system will be fueled by a 100-kilowatt biomass boiler system with biomass briquettes produced locally in Haida Gwaii
• The biomass heating system will initially heat three buildings in Port Clements and will be expanded to include other buildings in the Village in the future
• The biomass facility has the potential to save the Village of Port Clements $200,000 over the next five years with heating cost savings of approximately $40,000 per year
Contact
Joel McKay
Director, Communications
Northern Development Initiative Trust
joel@northerndevelopment.bc.ca
250-561-2525
