Coquitlam is eyeing five more neighbourhoods to have private utilities for centralized heating, domestic hot water and cooling systems.
On Monday, council-in-committee heard that city staff are looking at district energy for two sections of Burquitlam - where the Evergreen Line is to run along North and Clarke roads - as well as Austin Heights, Maillardville and the City Centre business core.
Already, the city has started its plans with Fortis BC for district energy at civic buildings at the Four Corners campus (Pinetree and Guildford ways) plus at Partington Creek Village on Burke Mountain. In addition, the Beedie Group is expected to develop its new Fraser Mills waterfront village, off United Boulevard, with a central heating/cooling facility for future residents and businesses.
District energy, which aims to reduce reliance on fossil fuels by recapturing alternative sources like biomass and ground-source heat, is currently in the works or operating in several Metro Vancouver areas such as Lonsdale Quay, False Creek and University at SFU. Victoria's Dockside Greek as well as Revelstoke and Whistler also have district energy programs.
Coun. Brent Asmundson said Coquitlam is behind the eight ball and has missed many opportunities to implement district energy in high-rises. His comments were echoed by Coun. Mae Reid, a realtor, who noted district energy would be a good selling feature to prospective homebuyers.
"We are way behind," Reid said, shaking her head. "I just want to get on with this. I don't want us to be the last city in the Lower Mainland or B.C. to do this."
District energy is "nothing new," Mayor Richard Stewart said pointing to Riverview Hospital, which has had geothermal since it was built nearly 100 years ago.
Under the plan, which council has yet to formally endorse, the city would help to set up private utility companies to install and run the systems in each of the neighbourhoods. When a private partner is selected, there would be a memorandum of understanding plus a year-long feasibility study before a final agreement is signed.
Bill Susak, Coquitlam's general manager of engineering and public works, who oversaw the North Van district district energy program, said staff are not recommending municipal ownership from the get-go because of capital costs and ongoing financial and operating risks; however, the city could take over the utilities in the future, he said.
In his report to committee, Susak said there are now many well-established private energy providers able to take on district energy services.
Energy rates are regulated by the BC Utilities Commission.
