NEW WESTMINSTER, B.C.—Plans for the Sapperton District Energy System are moving ahead under a new green collaboration between the City of New Westminster and the Metro Vancouver Regional District.
“The Sapperton district energy project will provide its users with secure and affordable energy to meet future needs, while also addressing climate change,” said New Westminster Mayor Jonathan Coté in a statement. “Sewer heat recovery allows us to tap into a previously unutilized renewable energy source, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. We’re pleased to be partnering with Metro Vancouver to move this project forward.”
The system will supply energy for new development around the Sapperton and Braid SkyTrain stations and along East Columbia Street, as well as the Royal Columbian Hospital expansion. The system is designed to recover heat from the sewer system and distribute to homes and businesses through a pipe network.
Officials say the system will reduce carbon dioxide-equivalent greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 8,600 tonnes per year compared to existing, conventional heating sources, and over the course of its lifespan would reduce emissions by over 125,000 tonnes.
Metro Vancouver will contribute $18 million to the project and is actively exploring future opportunities to support a number of similar projects around the region.
New Westminster Council recently gave first reading to a new District Energy Bylaw, which will allow implementation of the Sapperton project. Further funding from other orders of government is being solicited to allow the project to proceed. The city and Fraser Health are also working to confirm participation of the Royal Columbian Hospital as the major user of the new system.
“Metro Vancouver is committed to fighting climate change by leveraging our sewer infrastructure to support sustainable district energy projects,” said Sav Dhaliwal, chair of Metro Vancouver’s board of directors. “We are excited to partner with the City of New Westminster to pursue cost-effective energy options, lower emissions and create energy efficient communities.”
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