Project Background

 

 

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This project involves using heat from Con Mine to heat the downtown core. The proposed project will help to build a more sustainable Yellowknife, create revenue, insulate against the future volatility of oil prices, and substantially reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. 

The following provides a general overview of different project elements:  

PROJECT OVERVIEW

Using the heat from Con Mine has been discussed by residents ever since miners returned from work reporting temperatures of over 30 degrees Celsius. The science shows that this is a viable heat source for the City. Creating such a system would be an important move towards securing a green energy source for the City.   
 

The Con Mine Community Energy System will deliver clean energy to buildings in the downtown core while giving residents—as “shareholders” of this new energy source—a community owned, green energy system that has the potential to pay dividends to the City, and to drastically reduce the carbon emissions of Yellowknife.

• Project Background
• Project Timeline
• Project Presentation
• Frequently Asked Question Documents
  • Set #1: Project Overview Questions
  • Set #2: Focus on Business + Fuel Oil Questions
  • Set #3: Answers to Questions from Public Info Sessions

Info Boards:

• Project Facts & Timeline
• How It Works
• Finance Details
• Community Examples

HOW DOES IT WORK? THE ENERGY RESOURCE

Mine Energy Concept Image 

Proposed Service Area Map

 

FINANCING & FUNDING 

The Con Mine Community Energy Project is a $60 million project. An independant business case evaluating the viability of developing the system has concluded the project represents an investment grade opportunity and will add significant value to the community. Revenue from the sale of heat is sufficient to pay for the cost of construction without using municipal tax dollars. If the project succeeds there may be options for revenues ("dividends") from energy sales to be shared with residents.

The City of Yellowknife held a public plebiscite vote on March 14, 2011. This vote was to grant the City permission to borrow funds for the project in order to proceed. "No" votes exceeded "Yes" votes by a count of 1,362 to 997. The project is now being reviewed by prospective business partners and the federal government, for possible funding through the Natural Resources Canada Clean Energy Fund.

The final decision on whether to break ground and begin construction work on this project will happen in November 2011.

Business Case Analysis