Today, Université Sainte-Anne celebrated the official opening of its renewable energy project, at the Rendez-vous de la Baie (on the main campus in Church Point). The opening was attended by Greg Kerr, West Nova MP, and the Honourable Marilyn More, Minister of Labour and Advanced Education.
Since 2010, Université Sainte-Anne has been using three sources of renewable energy on its Church Point campus: a solar thermal system for domestic hot water, a gasification biomass furnace, and a 50-kW wind turbine. The institution's investment in these technologies was based on four objectives: to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions; to achieve substantial savings in its energy-related expenses; to contribute to local economic development; and to be a role model for the community on environmental issues.
The total project cost was $2,731,225 with the Government of Canada contributing $1,275,168 through the Knowledge Infrastructure program and the Province of Nova Scotia contributing $1,277,831. An additional $31,833 was donated by the Université Sainte-Anne and $146,393 from other donors.
"I am pleased that our government could be part of this achievement. It is remarkable what has been achieved here at Université Sainte Anne where we see a great example of commitment to sustainable development and to the local economy."
- Greg Kerr, MP for West Nova
After one year of operation, the project has proven to be a resounding success, both from an economic and from an environmental point of view:
- By replacing its oil furnace with a biomass furnace, Université Sainte-Anne has been able to reduce its oil consumption by 69% — a 71.6% reduction in its emissions of CO2!
- Combined with the 118 solar panels set up on the campus, the furnace provides heat and hot water to the university's main buildings and student residences. The use of these two technologies has enabled Université Sainte-Anne to cut its costs in half, because of the difference between the cost of the biofuel and solar energy and the cost of conventional fuel.
- The wind turbine has reduced the institution's power bill. Based on this success, a second wind turbine has been erected and we expect to have it on-line very shortly!
- The local economy has benefited from this green approach: the use of renewable energy sources available in the area replaces the importing of non-renewable fossil fuels. Sustainable jobs have thus been created for local people involved in harvesting, processing, and transporting the biofuel.
"We are proud to see that our commitment to sustainable development and environmental protection is beginning to bear fruit", said Allister Surette, President and Vice-Chancellor of Université Sainte-Anne. "This first year was devoted to the implementation of our new systems and various adjustments, but it has had an immediate positive impact. We are going to keep moving ahead with this project."
"Kudos to the Université for finding ways to work smarter and to be more energy-efficient. These are exactly the kind of changes that our government is encouraging across the province".
- Marilyn More, Nova Scotia's Labour and Advanced Education Minister
The ceremony was followed by a tour of the facilities and a small reception at the Rendez-vous de la Baie.
About Université Sainte-Anne
Université Sainte-Anne is the only French post-secondary institution in Nova-Scotia. Its students come primarily from the Atlantic provinces, with others coming from across Canada and from a dozen of others countries. Université Sainte-Anne offers university and community college programs in its five campuses in Halifax, Petit-de-Grat, Church Point, St-Joseph-du-Moine and Tusket (Nova Scotia). For more information, please visit our web site www.usainteanne.ca.