Energy Efficiency Alberta says residents saved $300 million

CALGARY Energy Efficiency Alberta is claiming success in its first year as residents warmed to programs offered to reduce energy use.

The agency came into being last spring as part of the NDP government’s climate change plan.

At an event held Friday to mark its first year, CEO Monica Curtis said initiatives launched by Energy Efficiency Alberta — including free LED light bulbs and low-flow shower heads, subsidies for insulation, windows and water heaters and an online rebate program for thermostats and appliances — resulted in $300 million in savings for Albertans.

The organization, funded through provincial carbon tax revenue, spent $111 million in 2017, with most of the funding directed to those programs, Curtis said.

Curtis said the agency will undergo a third-party evaluation to determine the value of its return on investment but she’s pleased with what she’s seen.

“Alberta has undertaken programming in a very aggressive way compared to other jurisdictions, and we do know that our participation levels are higher than what we’ve seen in places like Nova Scotia, British Columbia, Ontario, where they have similar programming,” she said. “We have every confidence that our cost-effectiveness is in line with those programs.”

Curtis said 150,000 households signed up for a no-charge energy savings program, while 50,000 households increased their energy efficiency through renovations or new products. More than 1,200 organizations participated in the business, non-profit and institutional energy savings program.

She said the strong uptake may be due to pent-up demand, because Alberta was the last Canadian jurisdiction to introduce a broadbased energy efficiency program.

Energy Efficiency Alberta also introduced a rebate program for businesses and homes wanting to install solar panels. More than 500 households and businesses have applied to take part.

Dave Kelly, CEO of solar energy company Skyfire Energy, said business is booming because of the energy efficiency program.

“In the 17 years that I’ve been in the solar business, we’ve seen the most dramatic growth in the last eight months,” he said.