Canada's First Near Net-Zero Supermarket Leads the Way for a Clean Energy Future

STOUFFVILLE, ON, Oct. 9, 2018 /CNW/ - Energy efficiency has benefits for our homes, neighbourhoods, environment, economy and wallets. Federal investments in innovative energy-efficient projects drive economic growth, contribute to our clean energy future and create new, middle-class jobs for Canadians.

The Honourable Jane Philpott, Minister of Indigenous Services and Member of Parliament for Markham?Stouffville, on behalf of the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Canada's Minister of Natural Resources, today announced a $1.44-million investment to help build Canada's first near net-zero supermarket, creating approximately 165 new jobs in the Stouffville area.

Funded through Natural Resources Canada's Energy Innovation Program, Longo Brothers Fruit Markets Inc.'s 40,000 sq. ft. store will use 35 percent less energy than other supermarkets and produce 65 percent of its own energy through renewable technologies.

In partnership with Neelands Group Limited and s2e Technologies Inc., this first-of-its-kind supermarket in Canada aims to reduce between 1,500?2,000 metric tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions a year by integrating energy efficiency improvements, renewable energy systems and other sustainable technologies.

Through Canada's national energy dialogue, Generation Energy, Canadians made it clear that clean energy solutions are not a luxury but a necessity for Canada's low-carbon future. Canada will continue to support clean energy projects that create jobs, support investment and industry competitiveness, advance our clean future and help realize our global climate change goals.

Quotes

"Longo's Stouffville supermarket will demonstrate first-of-its-kind net-zero energy solutions, making it one of the most sustainable supermarkets in Canada. Through their energy-efficient practices and their use of renewable energy technologies, they are creating new jobs and protecting our environment. Our government is proud to partner on this innovative project."

Jane Philpott
Minister of Indigenous Services and Member of Parliament for Markham?Stouffville

"We are committed to the communities in which we operate, and reducing our environmental impact is one more way of demonstrating this. Longo's has a long-standing commitment to supporting energy reduction initiatives. In fact, we were the first Canadian grocery retailer to have a solar energy system tied to the hydropower grid. With the average grocery store supporting more than one million consumer interactions per year, this first-in-Canada project is a visible way for us to contribute to solving climate change. It will also establish a new benchmark for the performance of future supermarkets in Canada and elsewhere."

Anthony Longo
President and CEO, Longo Brothers Fruit Markets Inc.

"Supermarkets are one of the more energy-intensive retail businesses due to their large cooling and heating loads. Canada's northern climate makes reducing energy use and therefore GHG emissions in supermarkets even more challenging. Collaboration with our partners is a key aspect of this project, and our success will pave the way forward for the supermarket sector to have the business confidence to adopt these design strategies as a standard going forward." 

Ady Vyas
Vice-President, Energy Solutions, s2e Technologies and provider of the Longo's store microgrid

"Longo's continues to be market leaders in new innovative technologies, and Neelands Group is proud to collaborate in this leadership role. Longo's latest store in Stouffville has set the target for net-zero solutions with a suite of power-saving technologies and renewable energy that will make Longo's a sustainable energy leader in Canada. Building supermarkets that are financially viable and environmentally responsible ensures that the net-zero store will be the standard for future generations."

Noel Neelands
President, Neelands Group Limited

"Longo's has been supporting energy reduction initiatives for years. In fact, we were the first Canadian grocery retailer to have a solar energy system tied to the hydro power grid. Reducing our environmental impact is just one way we are committed to serving our communities. Our newest location in Stouffville will reduce between 1,500?2,000 metric tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions per year, which is equivalent to taking 274-366 cars off the road annually."

Dave Mastroieni
Vice President Central Procurement & Facility Management, Longo Brothers Fruit Markets Inc.

Related Information

Near Net-Zero Energy Supermarket

Longo Brothers Fruit Markets Inc.

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SOURCE Natural Resources Canada