Nanaimo Energy Management Yields Big Saving

$1.9 Million Saving Follow Upgrades

The City of Nanaimo has cut energy costs by a total of $1.9 million between 2009 and 2014 thanks to a mix of building, vehicle upgrades and other measures.  These reductions equate to saving 11,508 litres of oil and 11.3 million kilowatt hours of electricity.

The results show the City is exceeding its annual target of reducing its energy consumption by one per cent each year.  The City spends an estimated $4 million each year on energy. Of that amount, $2.2 million or 54 per cent is spent on electricity, including lighting costs. The next largest costs are natural gas, which total $857,148 a year, or 21 per cent.  Gasoline and diesel costs make up 13 per cent and 11 per cent of the total costs.

All energy costs have seen a downward trend over the past five years to varying degrees.  A one per cent  energy savings would yield $30,000 in savings to the City a year; last year the City avoided $117,000 in energy costs.  BC Hydro and other organizations have so far provided - or are set to provide - the City with $1.4 million in financial incentives to switch to energy efficient upgrades on various City projects.

"Results show the City is exceeding its annual target of reducing its energy consumption by one percent each year." Bruce Joiner  Retired Infrastructure Planning and Energy Manager City of Nanaimo