Thirteen public buildings, including schools and manors, will cost less to heat and become more environmentally friendly as they convert to biomass heat, says Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal Minister Robert Vessey.
“Using biomass to heat provincial buildings makes financial and environmental sense,” said the minister. “Our government is committed to finding opportunities to increase the use of renewable energy.”
The provincial government has approved two contracts for biomass heating systems to be installed in 13 different buildings in an effort to reduce the province’s reliance on more expensive and environmentally harmful fossil fuels.
Company 8230773 Ltd, an Island company associated with Atlantic Heat, has been awarded a contract for the following buildings:
• Western Hospital
• Athena School
• Summerside Intermediate School
• Young Offenders Facility in Summerside
Island company Wood4Heating Canada will be awarded a contract for the following buildings:
• East Wiltshire School
• Elliot River School
• Morell High School
• Stonepark Junior High School
• Souris Hospital
• Souris K-12 School
• Beach Grove Home
• New Prince Edward Home
• Provincial Correctional Centre
The contracts are for 20-year terms and the companies are responsible for the design, construction and operation of the units.
Converting to biomass will save the province roughly $120,000 in heating costs each year. In addition, the contracts will have a combined economic impact of more than $500,000 annually, thanks to the labour and materials required.
Contracts have previously been awarded for Community Hospital in O’Leary, Bluefield High School, Three Oaks High School, M.E. Callaghan School and Hernewood School. Government committed to converting an additional number of public buildings to biomass in the 2012 Speech from the Throne.
The systems will be installed over the next three years.