A new report from the Manitoba Energy Code Advisory Committee outlines a detailed strategy to make new commercial buildings in Manitoba more energy efficient and less expensive to operate, Science, Technology, Energy and Mines Minister Jim Rondeau announced today.

 

The report – authored by a 15-member committee comprised of construction professionals, developers, energy experts and others – provides a series of recommendations to introduce cost-effective energy-efficiency requirements for the design, construction and renovation of commercial buildings in Manitoba. 

 

“These recommendations are aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and delivering energy cost savings to Manitoba businesses,” said Rondeau.  “Reducing the need for costly imports of non-renewable fossil fuels and enhancing our capacity to export clean electricity benefits our entire province.  I commend committee members for their excellent work.”

 

The advisory report, Building Energy, Building Leadership, outlines 17 recommendations which include adopting cost-effective, minimum energy-efficiency requirements for new commercial construction (via a regulation to adopt Canada’s Model National Energy Code for Buildings with amendments), amending regulations, and providing the training and technical resources needed to build industry capacity and ensure the effective implementation of the energy code.  

 

Energy-efficient buildings deliver dramatic cost savings, often cutting energy use by 30 per cent or more over conventional buildings, Rondeau said, noting there is wide support for a made-in-Manitoba strategy to improve energy efficiency in new commercial buildings.  The minister noted professional organizations including Building Energy Management Manitoba, the Building Owners and Managers Association (Manitoba), the Manitoba Building Officials Association and the Mechanical Contractors Association of Manitoba have expressed support for a provincial commercial building energy code.

 

Minimum energy-efficiency requirements for new buildings are common in many countries around the world. Manitoba introduced energy-efficiency requirements for new houses in 1976 which were enhanced in 1998. Manitoba has fire, building and plumbing codes for commercial buildings, although at present there are no existing minimum energy requirements for commercial construction.

 

The report demonstrates the design and construction of buildings with energy-efficient components such as greater insulation, high-performance windows and efficient T8 and LED lighting can deliver significant energy savings without significant capital-cost premiums.

 

Established in September 2005, the 15-member Energy Code Advisory Committee was chaired by Manitoba Hydro and included representatives from a broad cross-section of the construction industry and other stakeholders.  Rondeau said a schedule of public consultations will be unveiled this fall to gather public input on the recommendations.

 

Working to enhance energy efficiency in new commercial construction projects builds on the province’s recently announced green buildings policy. The new policy requires all new provincially-funded building projects to meet or exceed the internationally recognized LEED Silver certification.

 

The new Manitoba Energy Code Advisory Committee report is available online at http://www.gov.mb.ca/est/energy/pdf/ecac_report.pdf.  Printed copies of the report are available from the Energy Development Initiative, 1200-155 Carlton St., Winnipeg.

 

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