Sponsored Content
Office Buildings Make Major Energy Efficiency Strides with Manitoba Race to Reduce!

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 30/04/2021 (694 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Commercial office spaces in Winnipeg and Brandon reduced their overall energy consumption by 9.1 percent thanks to their participation in Manitoba Race to Reduce. Modeled after a similar program launched in Toronto, Manitoba Race to Reduce was a four-year challenge that encouraged commercial buildings to reduce energy usage through friendly and spirited competition.

The Race was free to join and open to all landlords, tenants and owners of commercial office buildings across Manitoba. Launched in 2017, a total of 32 buildings across 7.5 million square feet of commercial office space rose to the challenge and joined the Race. The program guided participants with expert advice, tool kits, case studies, and action plans. Supported by these resources, organizations saw an increased awareness of energy use at work and a way to measure and monitor their usage to drive energy savings.

Participants carried out a range of retrofit projects such as LED lighting upgrades, lighting automation projects, curtain wall system installations and upgrades, HVAC system upgrades and more. They also held engagement events for their tenants and encouraged more energy efficient actions in unique ways. From ‘sticker parties’ to display friendly prompts encouraging energy efficient behaviours, to Energy Treasure Hunts geared to identify energy savings opportunities, creativity achieved great results.

The Race ended on December 31, 2020 and the results were encouraging! Twenty-six buildings reduced their energy use and 15 exceeded the Race’s target of 10% energy reduction since the start of the Race. The overall reduction of energy usage by 9.1 percent equated to 16 million equivalent kWh saved!

The final award ceremony took place on April 29, 2021 as a virtual event. Mollie Johnson, the Assistant Deputy Minister of Natural Resources Canada and Colleen Kuruluk, Efficiency Manitoba’s Chief Executive Officer, congratulated the participating buildings with special recognition for Award winners. The Honourable Sarah Guillemard also provided remarks congratulating all Race participants and recognizing the positive impact the Race has had on Manitoba’s energy efficiency goals.

Johnson explained how important programs like Manitoba Race to Reduce are to Canada’s climate change goals noting, “I would go so far as to say energy efficiency is the most compelling and accessible way to respond to the global climate challenge.” Minister Guillemard echoed those sentiments in her message to the Race participants: “Engaging in energy efficiency is a lifelong commitment with ongoing benefits, and the past four years have shown your leadership. I sincerely thank you for the part that you’ve played in reducing energy and natural gas consumption in Manitoba.”

With support from sponsors including Efficiency Manitoba, Artis REIT, IG Wealth Management, 201 Portage, Assiniboine Credit Union and Cushman & Wakefield Stevenson, awards were presented to:

IG Wealth Management – 447 Portage Avenue

• Sustained excellence, most improved energy use, and largest natural gas reduction  

Artis REIT – 360 Main Street

• Largest electricity reduction  

Cushman & Wakefield Stevenson – 195 Fort Street

• Most improved energy use intensity

Colliers International – 125 Garry Street

• Most improved greenhouse gas emission reduction 

Richard Bracken – IG Wealth Management at 447 Portage Avenue

• Building Energy Efficiency Champion Award 

A big congratulations to Manitoba Race to Reduce winners and everyone that participated in the Race!