The City of Toronto has issued a request for qualifications (RFQ) November 21 for organizations/consortiums interested in partnering opportunities for large-scale development of low-carbon/renewable thermal energy networks (district energy). The RFQ was posted on MERX.com, closing on December 22, 2016.
The announcement noted that Ontario’s new cap and trade legislation and anticipated revenues are changing the energy economics in the province in favour of low-carbon/renewable solutions including thermal energy networks to displace fossil fuel use, and reduce emissions from the built-environment. Transformational, large-scale, low-carbon thermal energy networks will be fundamental in enabling the City to achieve its Council-approved, long-term energy and climate goals, the statement said.
The City assessed the potential for new district energy development in Toronto: 27 locations were identified and mapped based on existing density and growth potential.
The City is seeking advice from the marketplace to identify how to maximize the value of the opportunity to the City and to describe the structure of any business arrangements that may emerge.