Blatchford Energy Centre

District energy presents a unique opportunity to transform Edmonton’s local energy systems to be low-carbon while stimulating the local economy and increasing access to affordable renewable energy.

Edmonton's Need for District Energy

Edmonton is warming twice as fast as the globe, and has one of the highest per capita rates of emissions in the world. Since 1885, the city’s average temperature has increased by 2.3°C — more than double the global average.

As part of its City Plan and Community Energy Transition Strategy, the City of Edmonton has set an ambitious target to be carbon neutral in its corporate operations by 2040, and for the entire community to produce net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Addressing how we heat and cool our buildings is a critical factor in building a climate-resilient city. This is where district energy comes in.

District energy systems are a proven energy solution that will bring Edmonton closer to its climate goals. Integrating energy efficiency and alternative and renewable energy technologies, district energy systems produce low-carbon thermal energy (heating and/or cooling) and distribute it to connected buildings.

The How: District Energy Strategy

The City’s District Energy Strategy is a transformational initiative that offers the opportunity to significantly reduce emissions by an estimated 230,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) per year across all district energy opportunity areas.

District energy systems have been operating in Canada for almost 150 years, with more than 250 systems running today. (Source: CEEDC database)

For decades, they have been the heating systems of choice at military bases and universities, including the University of Alberta. More recently, municipalities like Vancouver, Markham, Ont., Toronto, Calgary and Ottawa have turned to district energy to help them reach climate change and energy transition goals.

Through a range of technologies and energy sources, district energy systems generate (or extract) heat and cooling at a central energy site. This thermal energy is then transferred to a fluid and distributed through a piping network to connected buildings. These connected buildings — residential, commercial and/or industrial — use the thermal energy supplied by district energy for space and water heating and cooling.

District Energy News

City Approves Growth of Downtown District Energy Initiative
July 2, 2025