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Lulu Island District Energy

Sector(s)
Clean Power
Location(s)
Richmond, British Columbia
Participation
$175 million
(Under construction)
Partner(s)
City of Richmond, Lulu Island Energy Company

Renewable, low-carbon energy source for the City of Richmond

Lulu Island Energy Company’s district energy project involves expanding the City’s current district energy system from 3 million square feet to 50 million square feet, over time, conditional to approval by Richmond City Council.

Fast facts

Create a long-term reliable, efficient and cost-effective energy distribution network
Expect to help reduce GHGs emissions by an average of 34,000 tonnes / year
Provides residents with a reliable energy source

Lulu Island Energy Company is a municipal corporation wholly owned by the City of Richmond, established to implement and operate district energy utility systems in the City of Richmond, British Columbia. The energy system will use zero-carbon sewer heat recovery technology to extract heat from the local sewer force main once the system is fully built out.

The City of Richmond’s official plan calls for higher density and mixed-use buildings in future residential and commercial development. The proposed expansion will provide the city with low-carbon energy sources on an expedited basis that would provide heating and cooling to buildings in the region.

Benefits of CIB involvement

Our participation will provide our partners with flexible financing terms to accommodate long-term capital drawdown and long-term duration of the project. Lower financing rates contributes to both the financial and environmental sustainability of the district energy system. The CIB seeks to invest up to $5 billion into clean energy projects which are in the public interest and support Canadian sustainable economic growth.

Learn more

Disclaimer: The Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB), in its sole and absolute discretion, may choose to make available amendments, revisions, modifications or replacements to this website. This page will remain open for further revision, modification, replacement or cancellation by the CIB at any time and in no event shall the CIB be responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on the content of this website. Images courtesy of Lulu Island Energy.

The interior of the Lulu Island Direct Energy facility in Richmond, BC
Pipes on the outside of the Lulu Island Direct Energy facility in Richmond, BC
A city horizon with apartment buildings in the background and a building under construction in the foreground, with trees
A row of pipes topped with large red valves. A label on the pipes says "Supply"
A grey metal cabinet with rows of buttons and on/off breaker switches. Each is labelled.
A one story building with a row of windows and a door in the centre; on the roof is a multicoloured structure.
City of Richmond

The benefits of this expansion will be realized not only by the residents and businesses connected to the utility, but the entire community as it will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by an estimated one million tonnes when completed. District energy is a key pillar for achieving Richmond’s short- and long-term community greenhouse gas emission reduction goals as well as the delivery of efficient, sustainable and environmentally friendly energy for the community.

Mayor Malcolm Brodie
Corix Group of Companies

We are thrilled to be building upon the success of the Oval Village District Energy Utility project and our partnership with Lulu Island Energy Company which has spanned nearly a decade. The closing of the City Centre District Energy Utility project marks a major achievement in demonstrating how Public Private Partnerships can be used as an effective tool in leveraging financing and transformational strategies to deliver affordable, low-carbon infrastructure for consumers.

Lisa Sparrow, President and Chief Executive Officer

Related Articles
A row of pipes topped with large red valves. A label on the pipes says "Supply"
Clean Power
Sep 26, 2022

Canada Infrastructure Bank, Lulu Island Energy Company and Corix achieve financial close on $175 million district energy investment

Pipes on the outside of the Lulu Island Direct Energy facility in Richmond, BC
Clean Power
Aug 01, 2019

Canada Infrastructure Bank Signs Memorandum Of Understanding With The City Of Richmond’s Lulu Island Energy Company