Community Energy Plan

Canadians are some of the highest per capita energy users in the world. A recent survey placed Canada as the third least energy-efficient country, just behind the United States.

The city, in partnership with Burlington Hydro, is in the early stages of developing a community energy plan. In most cases, CEPs are stand-alone documents, separate from an overall sustainability plan. The plan, which can be developed in phases, will help the city identify areas where conservation and efficiency measures can be focused; assess the potential for local generation, particularly renewable energy; and look at the energy implications of the urban built form, with recommended actions for moving forward.  A community energy plan (CEP) can help tie all of these initiatives together, identify gaps, opportunities, and potential synergies, to ensure our community continues to build on conservation practices, using energy more efficiently and appropriately. 

CEPs can be integrated with new developments, existing neighbourhoods, industrial areas, whole communities and even on a regional basis.  They can significantly improve energy performance by capitalizing on opportunities and synergies available at the local level by integrating physical components from multiple sectors, including energy supply and distribution, transportation, housing and buildings, industry, water, waste management and other local (or regional) community services; and land use and community form.  

Later this year, community members will have an opportunity to participate in workshops, open houses, and provide feedback through surveys and other social media tools.  

If we plan this right, we can transform how we produce, secure and use energy. A CEP for Burlington will set out a long-term vision and action plan for an energy efficient and low-carbon future for our community.  

Stay tuned for further details as they develop.