The Media Room
2011/26 (a)
Backgrounder
Investing in B.C.’s Biomass Energy Technology
The Governments of Canada and British Columbia are making an investment in clean energy that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions while helping to position innovative technologies at the forefront of the clean energy economy.
The biomass gasification technology at the University of British Columbia will be the first commercial demonstration in North America to feature an innovative renewable energy system that converts local, renewable wood fuel — in the form of wood chips, wood pellets and municipal tree trimmings — into energy to produce clean, efficient heat and power. Moreover, the building will be constructed using cross-laminated timber as the major building material.
Program Funding Details
Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) is contributing a total of $8 million to the project through the Clean Energy Fund and $800,000 through the Large-Scale Wood Demonstration Initiative.
The Clean Energy Fund, part of the Government of Canada’s Economic Action Plan (Budget 2009), is investing $795 million over five years in research, development and demonstration projects to advance Canadian leadership in clean energy technologies. This investment includes large-scale carbon capture and storage demonstration projects as well as smaller-scale demonstration projects, such as biomass, geothermal and smart-grid renewable and alternative energy technologies.
NRCan's Large-Scale Wood Demonstration Initiative supports projects that showcase innovative wood products.
Western Economic Diversification Canada, and the BC Ministry of Forests, Mines and Lands are contributing a total of $2.4 million through the Western Economic Partnership Agreement.
Under the Western Economic Partnership Agreement, both Canada and B.C. are contributing $25 million each, over four years, to strengthen economic activity and improve quality of life in B.C. communities.
The BC Innovative Clean Energy Fund has also contributed a total of $4.5 million in funding for the project, as part of the Western Economic Partnership Agreement. This funding was previously announced in March, 2010.
Richard Walker
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister
Natural Resources Canada
Ottawa
613-996-2007
or
Media Relations
Natural Resources Canada
Ottawa
613-992-4447
Jerra Byrne
Office of the Minister
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Jerra.Byrne@wd.gc.ca
WD Toll-Free Number: 1-888-338-WEST (9378)
Teletypewriter (TTY): 1-877-303-3388
WD Website: www.wd-deo.gc.ca.
Colin Grewar
Media Relations
BC Ministry of Environment
250-387-9630
Basil Waugh
Communications Coordinator
University of British Columbia
604-822-2048
NRCan's news releases and backgrounders are available at www.nrcan.gc.ca/media/index-eng.php.