Canada Invests in Sault Ste. Marie's Electric Grid to Lower Costs for Homes and Businesses

SAULT STE. MARIE, ON, Feb. 11, 2019 /CNW/ - Canada is investing to make our infrastructure smarter. Increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of the electricity network through the use of new and smart grid technology creates jobs and helps build the green economy.

Terry Sheehan, Member of Parliament for Sault Ste. Marie, on behalf of the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Canada's Minister of Natural Resources, today announced an $11.8-million investment for PUC Distribution Inc.'s smart grid project in Sault Ste. Marie. This project will create 140 good, middle-class jobs and lower the cost of generating and distributing power to customers.

PUC Distribution Inc., the local power distribution utility, has formed a private-public financing partnership that will use federal funding to improve the Sault Ste. Marie electric network system.

Smarter electric networks mean lower electricity costs for Canadian homes and businesses. Customers will benefit from better reliability, efficiency and resiliency of their local electric network, at no increased cost. Further, this project will help utilities broaden their service offerings to clients, reduce outages and provide more information to enable customers to make smarter electricity use choices.

Improvements in network quality will also produce new economic opportunities for the city, as it could attract the interest of a range of industries associated with Canada's clean energy sector. This includes manufacturing, e-commerce, telecommunications services and data centres.

This project supports the greater use of clean power by improving the community's electric network in order to accommodate new energy sources, including rooftop solar. This will allow more Canadians to produce their own clean power and reduce pollution.

Funding for the project comes from the Smart Grid Program, which is part of the Government of Canada's more than $180-billion Investing in Canada infrastructure plan.

This project reflects what we heard through Generation Energy, the largest conversation about energy in our history. Canadians were clear about the need for a thriving, low-carbon economy. The Generation Energy Council outlined four key pillars to Canada's energy future, one of which was switching to clean power.

Quotes

"This smart grid project offers a glimpse into our clean energy future and represents a new wave of economic activity for the region. Along with job creation, new industries will be attracted to a modern grid, all while helping the environment."

Terry Sheehan
Member of Parliament for Sault Ste. Marie

"This is an innovative project that makes Sault Ste. Marie a leader. We will be the first city in our country to implement a community-wide smart grid, and I thank the Government of Canada for its support. Once it is complete, the smart grid will make our energy infrastructure more reliable, reduce energy loss and lead to a more innovative economy for our community."

Christian Provenzano
Mayor of Sault Ste. Marie

"I would like to thank our partners in the federal government for this sizable investment. As a community-focused utility, we are always looking for innovative ways to help our customers save money and reduce their carbon footprint. The investment this government has made in our community will not only help modernize our city's electrical distribution system ? once the project is complete, Sault Ste. Marie will have access to an electricity grid that can handle the growing demands of a city in the 21st century."

Rob Brewer
President and CEO, PUC Distribution

Quick Facts

• Through the Investing in Canada infrastructure plan, the Government of Canada is investing more than $180 billion over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes and Canada's rural and northern communities.

Associated Links:

Smart Grid Program
Investing in Canada: Canada's Long-Term Infrastructure Plan
Investing in Canada Plan Project Map

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SOURCE Natural Resources Canada