Building energy resilience in Markham
CLIMATE ADAPTATION
Early GMF funding helped turn a district energy system in Markham, ON, into one of Canada’s fastest-growing energy utilities. Since the system came online in 2000, every new building in the city centre has been connected to it, lowering energy use and GHG emissions, while strengthening energy resilience by reducing disruptions and exposure to fuel price shocks. By removing the need for on-site heating equipment, it also simplifies building design and frees space for other uses.
The City of Markham is a great example of how early GMF support can help de-risk a project and bring it to scale. Starting in 2004 as the sole investor, we have continued investing in Markham Centre’s district energy system for more than 20 years, providing a total of $17.3 million. Our support also helped make the project attractive to other investors, leading to an additional $270 million in capital.
A new expansion to the system in 2021 included the connection of three new residential complexes, adding more than 200,000 square metres of space, as well as a major investment in new thermal distribution piping. The project also added a 9-MW high-efficiency natural gas boiler and a 500-kW biomass-fuelled boiler.
Eventually, Markham District Energy anticipates that every building in Markham Centre will be connected to the district energy system. Markham shows what’s possible: a shift toward clean, affordable, reliable and community-owned energy systems that strengthen Canada’s energy competitiveness and resilience.
Want to explore all GMF-funded projects? Check out the Projects Database for a complete overview of funded projects and get inspired by municipalities of all sizes, across Canada.
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