SASKPOWER AND SUNRISE HEALTH REGION PARTNER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT

Released on October 10, 2007

SaskPower and the Sunrise Health Region have signed a $6 million Energy Performance Contract to upgrade Sunrise Health Region facilities, while reducing energy costs, improving workplace and patient environments, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

"Reducing our impact on the environment is a job we must all share," Minister responsible for SaskPower John Nilson said. "Through this contract, the Sunrise Health region, SaskPower and the Government of Saskatchewan are taking a lead role in this regard. Energy Performance Contracting is an important part of SaskPower's efforts to tackle the issue of climate change, and this is just the latest example of how the program helps Saskatchewan institutions reduce their costs and minimize their impact on the environment."

"In addition to environmental stewardship, there are many sound reasons for this undertaking," Sunrise Regional Health Authority Chairperson Ivan Peterson said. "Optimizing the conditions for successful patient care and healthy workplaces for our staff were the two most important for the health region. This would not be possible without this unique financial agreement, whereby the cost of the project is guaranteed to be off-set by the savings."

The contract will generate $473,000 in annual energy savings for a 13-year simple payback. Heating, cooling, lighting, ventilation, window replacement and building automation systems at Sunrise Health Region facilities will be retrofitted under the agreement; starting with the Yorkton Regional Health Centre, built in 1959. The electricity and natural gas savings of this project will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 2,702 metric tonnes annually, which is the same as taking 430 cars off the road. The money saved due to lower energy consumption will be used to repay the energy performance contract.

"Saskatchewan Health is pleased to support Sunrise Health Region's energy and facility renewal project," Health Minister Len Taylor said. "This is the type of innovative initiative that will help Saskatchewan reduce greenhouse gas emissions while improving the environment in health care facilities for patients and staff. It's an investment that will pay dividends."

Energy Performance Contracting (EPC) is part of SaskPower's Eneraction portfolio of energy efficiency, conservation and load management programs to help Saskatchewan residents protect our environment and save money on their power bills. The EPC program itself, is an energy management program that SaskPower offers to commercial and institutional customers to assist them to reduce energy related operating costs through the implementation of energy efficiency upgrades.

Since 1999, SaskPower, through its Energy Performance Contracting program has partnered with Honeywell Limited to complete more than 17 projects with 11 organizations across the province. The result has been yearly savings of $3 million in energy costs and a 31 million kilogram reduction in greenhouse gas emissions each year.

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For more information, contact:

Larry Christie
SaskPower
Regina
Phone: 306-566-3167
Email: lchristie@saskpower.com
Cell: 888-536-0000

Sharon Tropin
Sunrise Health Region
Yorkton
Phone: 306-786-0144
Email: Sharon.Tropin@shr.sk.ca
Cell: 306-621-1962