Markham Mayor and Ontario Minister of Energy and Infrastructure
Open New District Heat and Power System
Markham District Energy System Supports Green Energy Act and Reduces Greenhouse
Gas Emissions
MARKHAM, ON – April 20, 2009 – Minister of Energy and Infrastructure George Smitherman and Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti started the engines today on a new five megawatt heat and power facility as part of Markham’s District Energy System. The new facility resulted from a successful contract bid with the Ontario Power Authority in 2006 to build a high efficiency natural gas plant to serve the provincial power grid.

”The start up of this new facility signifies another great step forward in Markham’s continuing effort to support our community with green energy,” said Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti. “Since its initial commercial operation in 2000, the Markham District Energy facility has served as a model for other municipalities. We’re now looking at further advancements that will use solar thermal technologies, biogas and biomass fuel options. These green initiatives create jobs, reduce environmental impact, help local businesses and add tremendous value to taxpayer’s dollars.”

The first commercial operation of the Markham District Energy System was December 1, 2008 providing heating and cooling energy to IBM’s software laboratory. Since then another 20 buildings in Markham centre have been connected to the system including Motorola, Honeywell, YMCA, Bill Crothers Secondary School, Markham’s Civic Centre offices and a variety of residential high rises. The Markham District Energy system is EcoLogo certified and has produced heating energy on a continuous basis to the community since 2000 - over 75,000 continuous hours. The high efficiency district system reduces greenhouse gases in Markham Centre by 50 percent.

“The newly constructed combined heat and power cogeneration facility produces enough electricity to power 5000 homes. The heat recovery system is capable of providing heat for up to three million square feet of building space,” said Markham Deputy Mayor and Markham District Energy Chair Jack Heath. Markham District Energy President and CEO Bruce Ander calls the system a remarkable achievement for a municipality. “The Markham system was leading municipal green energy systems in 2000 and today continues to set the mark for other municipalities with its advancements and applications,” said Mr. Ander.

“With a successful platform in place we’re planning a second district system in east Markham to serve Markham Stouffville Hospital, the new Town of Markham’s East Markham Community Centre and the new planned Cornell Centre development.”

The new East Markham system will begin construction in 2010-2011 to coincide with the Markham Stouffville Hospital expansion and Town of Markham construction of a new community centre and library.