Category: News

OTTAWA – Today, Hydro Ottawa Holding Inc. (Hydro Ottawa) celebrates its inclusion as one of Canada’s Greenest Employers. This accolade highlights Hydro Ottawa’s deeply rooted commitment to achieving net-zero operations by 2030 and its comprehensive approach to environmental responsibility.

Sustainability is a core value deeply integrated into all aspects of the organization. This commitment is evident in its ambitious goal to electrify its fleet, encompassing light, medium, and heavy-duty trucks with electric and hybrid technologies.

Beyond its fleet, Hydro Ottawa has implemented a four-stream waste collection system, utilizes geothermal heating and cooling in its buildings, employs water conservation systems, and adheres to a comprehensive green procurement strategy. Its subsidiary, Envari Energy Solutions, further contributes by providing sustainable energy solutions and innovative lighting design.

The utility integrates climate change considerations into its infrastructure planning by incorporating low-carbon techniques in its substation designs and, where feasible, creating pollinator meadows around new facilities to enhance biodiversity.

Quick Facts

• Hydro Ottawa is hyper-focused on making it easier for organizations in its community to participate in a sustainable energy future. In 2024, Hydro Ottawa was selected by Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) to deliver the Ottawa Retrofit Accelerator program (ORA), a $10 million program running until March 31, 2027, to help commercial, institutional, mid-rise and high-rise residential buildings receive expert guidance to implement deep retrofits that significantly reduce their emissions.
• Hydro Ottawa partnered with Ottawa Community Housing to reduce its carbon footprint across its portfolio of properties through the Ottawa Retrofit Accelerator (ORA) program, and expanding on its existing partnership to take advantage of future energy-saving projects like EV charging infrastructure, solar panels, building automation systems, and the installation of heat pumps for efficient heating and cooling.
• Hydro Ottawa is the first Canadian municipally-owned utility to issue a Green Bond, which supported the refurbishment of hydro assets and construction of its LEED Gold campuses. Additionally, Hydro Ottawa is the first Canadian utility to earn ISO 55001 certification for asset management. These initiatives align with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, building a more peaceful and prosperous world.
• Portage Power, Hydro Ottawa’s renewable generation subsidiary, is Ontario’s largest municipally-owned producer of green power, with hydroelectric, solar and landfill gas-to-energy facilities generating 131 megawatts of renewable electricity (enough to power 110,000 homes annually). In total, Portage Power’s renewable generation capacity has increased six-fold in just 13 years.
• Hydro Ottawa’s two operations centres and main office are LEED Gold Buildings certified, a globally recognized benchmark of sustainability achievement for green buildings.
• Solar energy generation at Hydro Ottawa’s new facilities offsets approximately 18 per cent of the energy demand at its East Campus and 100 per cent at its South Campus.
• Hydro Ottawa diverts more than 90 per cent of its waste from landfill, and works with scrap metal companies to perform metal reclamation of copper wire, steel and aluminum from its small transformers and meters.
• Envari Energy Solutions, Hydro Ottawa’s energy management subsidiary, continues to upgrade a City of Ottawa wastewater treatment plant by replacing the plant’s three cogeneration engines, and adding a fourth, which will eliminate 1,565 tonnes of CO2 per year and reduce utility costs by $80M over 25 years.

Quotes

“At Hydro Ottawa, sustainability isn’t just a corporate objective; it’s a shared passion that resonates wholeheartedly with our employees. Their commitment to prioritizing sustainability in every aspect of their work, coupled with their willingness to adopt new technologies, practices, and green solutions, gives me great confidence in our ability to build a dynamic energy future for our customers and our city.”

– Bryce Conrad, President and Chief Executive Officer

Media Contact

Susan Fekete
Manager, Media and Public Affairs
Hydro Ottawa Holding Inc.
[email protected]

www.hydroottawa.com

About Hydro Ottawa Holding Inc.

Hydro Ottawa Holding Inc. (Hydro Ottawa) is a private company 100 per cent owned by the city of Ottawa and whose core businesses are electricity distribution, renewable energy generation, energy solutions, telecommunications and utility services. As a leading partner in a smart energy future, Hydro Ottawa is committed to sustainability and reducing its impact on the environment in all aspects of its operations. It owns and operates four primary subsidiary companies: Hydro Ottawa Limited – a local distribution company that delivers electricity to more than 364,000 customers in the city of Ottawa and the village of Casselman; Portage Power – the largest Ontario-based municipally-owned producer of green power with 131 megawatts of installed green generation capacity (enough to power 110,000 homes); Envari Energy Solutions offers products and services that help reduce energy consumption and costs for municipalities, industrial and commercial clients, and various local distribution companies; and Hiboo Networks – a high-speed fiber optic network solutions and internet service company providing customers in the Ottawa-Gatineau region with secure and scalable connectivity to enable a strong digital future.

OTTAWA – Today Hydro Ottawa Holding Inc. (Hydro Ottawa) won a spot among the National Capital Region’s Top Employers. 

As the energy sector enters the fourth industrial revolution, it’s more apparent than ever that automation, cyber-physical systems (CPS), the Internet of Things (IoT), cloud computing, cognitive computing, and artificial intelligence, are all playing a part in how Hydro Ottawa has evolved into a technology-driven organization.

Hydro Ottawa is a private company 100 per cent owned by the city of Ottawa and whose core businesses include electricity distribution, renewable energy generation, energy solutions, telecommunications and utility services. 

The company operates four primary subsidiary companies, and offers exciting careers for employees with expertise in emerging technology fields like data analytics, sustainability, and cybersecurity. This shift is driven by evolving industry demands in the energy sector and a rising need for electricity due to electrification, clean energy, data centre growth, and Ottawa’s expansion.

Quick Facts

• Across its companies, Hydro Ottawa invests close to 40 hours per employee annually on training in trades and safe work practices, business skills, management and leadership development. The company continues to modernize its training and development programs, enabling employees to access micro learning anytime and anywhere on any device. A constantly growing eLearning library of courses, videos and ebooks for professional and skill development keeps employees learning, when it works for them. For field employees, new virtual reality training modules are changing the way they learn and practice their trade. Leaders benefit from a Conversation AI Simulator, an innovative generative AI based tool for simulating business and leadership conversational skills.
• Hydro Ottawa places an emphasis on the health and wellbeing of its employees through its healthcare benefits, fitness and wellness programs, paid volunteer day, and employee assistance programs. The company has a fully digital, therapist-led, cognitive behavioural therapy program designed to help employees and their families struggling with mental health challenges.
• The company raised more than $151,000 for the Royal Ottawa Prompt Care Clinic, made $158,000 in sponsorships and donations to local organizations supporting vulnerable groups, and raised nearly $142,000 through its annual employee fundraising campaign (vis-à-vis with corporate matching) for the United Way of East Ontario.
• Hydro Ottawa fosters a safe and inclusive culture that enhances employee engagement and innovation, and strengthens partnerships in the community. In addition to its own gender equity commitment goals, Hydro Ottawa has established external partnerships with Algonquin College’s We Saved You as Seat Program and Carleton University’s Women in Engineering and IT Program to increase gender equity in trades, technical, engineering and leadership roles.
• Hydro Ottawa supports employees through key stages in their lives, and also invests in their families through programs like mental health support extended to family members.
• Hydro Ottawa’s talent attraction strategy has succeeded in recruiting young talent, with nearly 40 per cent of employees aged 35 and under. Further, employees are supported by tuition subsidies, a comprehensive digital learning platform, and programs designed to enhance their professional growth.

Quotes

“Employees are inspired by our vision of a sustainable, more connected future, and are eager to play an active role in the larger global energy transformation. As the demand for electricity grows exponentially in our community, we are attracting a workforce of the future that is passionate about developing innovative solutions for an increasingly electrified world  – one that is rooted in data and technology, but unlimited by their imagination. We foster a culture where work is meaningful, and every individual is empowered to contribute.”

-Bryce Conrad, President and Chief Executive Officer

Media contact:

Susan Fekete
Manager, Media and Public Affairs
Hydro Ottawa Holding Inc.
[email protected]

www.hydroottawa.com

About Hydro Ottawa Holding Inc.

Hydro Ottawa Holding Inc. (Hydro Ottawa) is a private company 100 per cent owned by the city of Ottawa and whose core businesses are electricity distribution, renewable energy generation, energy solutions, telecommunications and utility services. As a leading partner in a smart energy future, Hydro Ottawa is committed to sustainability and reducing its impact on the environment in all aspects of its operations. It owns and operates four primary subsidiary companies: Hydro Ottawa Limited – a local distribution company that delivers electricity to more than 364,000 customers in the city of Ottawa and the village of Casselman; Portage Power – the largest Ontario-based municipally-owned producer of green power with 131 megawatts of installed green generation capacity (enough to power 110,000 homes); Envari – an energy solutions company offering products and services that help reduce energy consumption and costs for municipalities, industrial and commercial clients, and various local distribution companies; and Hiboo Networks – a high-speed fiber optic network solutions and internet service company providing customers in the Ottawa-Gatineau region with secure and scalable connectivity to enable a strong digital future.

OTTAWA – Today, in recognition of the importance Hydro Ottawa places on skill development and education for its young workforce, the company earned a spot on Canada’s Top Employers for Young People list for the 10th time.

With the transition to electrification, digitization and its ambitious goal to achieve net-zero operations by 2030, the company is embracing new technologies and innovation, and is attracting young professionals excited about the electricity industry, renewable energy, sustainability and the environment.

In addition to scholarships and tuition subsidies for professional accreditations, the company offers a large digital learning platform for all employees and virtual reality training scenarios for its trades and apprentices. Mentoring on the job is another important value the company encourages.

The utility offers exciting careers and programs designed to ensure young workers can make meaningful contributions to the organization and community early in their careers. 

Quick Facts

• Hydro Ottawa’s talent attraction strategy has succeeded in attracting young talent, with nearly 40 per cent of employees aged 35 and under. 
• Apprentices represent nearly 24 per cent of Hydro Ottawa’s trades workforce. 
• The company offers paid in-house apprenticeship and engineering intern programs, and provides employment opportunities for post-secondary summer students as well as internships and co-op placements.
• The company’s jointly delivered Powerline Technician Diploma Program was recently included in Algonquin College’s We Saved You a Seat program to encourage more female students to join careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics).
• In 2018, Hydro Ottawa established the Hydro Ottawa Award, which is a $2,500 scholarship given to a first-year female student in the Powerline Technician Diploma Program at Algonquin College. 
• Hydro Ottawa established an external partnership with Carleton University’s Women in Engineering and IT Program to increase gender equity in trades, technical, engineering and leadership roles.

Quotes

“At Hydro Ottawa, we’re empowering a young and talented workforce ready to build and lead the future of energy. We offer exciting careers and the opportunity to tackle big challenges to spearhead innovative, sustainable solutions for our industry, our environment, and our planet.”

-Bryce Conrad, President and Chief Executive Officer

Media contact:

Susan Fekete
Manager, Media and Public Affairs
Hydro Ottawa Holding Inc.
[email protected]

www.hydroottawa.com

About Hydro Ottawa Holding Inc.

Hydro Ottawa Holding Inc. (Hydro Ottawa) is a private company 100 per cent owned by the City of Ottawa and whose core businesses are electricity distribution, renewable energy generation, energy solutions, telecommunications and utility services. As a leading partner in a smart energy future, Hydro Ottawa is committed to sustainability and reducing its impact on the environment in all aspects of its operations. It owns and operates four primary subsidiary companies: Hydro Ottawa Limited – a local distribution company that delivers electricity to more than 364,000 customers in the city of Ottawa and the village of Casselman; Portage Power – the largest Ontario-based municipally-owned producer of green power with 131 megawatts of installed green generation capacity (enough to power 110,000 homes); Envari – an energy solutions company offering products and services that help reduce energy consumption and costs for municipalities, industrial and commercial clients, and various local distribution companies; and Hiboo Networks – a high-speed fiber optic network solutions and internet service company providing customers in the Ottawa-Gatineau region with secure and scalable connectivity to enable a strong digital future.

OTTAWA – Today, Hydro Ottawa Holding Inc. (referred to as “Hydro Ottawa” or the “Company”) published an update to its Green Bond Framework (“Framework”), first issued in 2019. The Framework allows Hydro Ottawa to further build on its commitment to excellence in sustainability and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) performance, as well as its target to achieve net-zero operations by 2030. 

Key updates to the Framework expand its scope to include subsidiaries like Hydro Ottawa Capital Corporation, broaden eligible use of proceeds categories, and allow investments to finance a wider range of programs, including:

• eligible clean electricity distribution infrastructure;
• energy efficiency projects such as smart grid technology and energy storage systems;
• biodiversity and conservation initiatives including habitat and land reclamation/restoration projects; and
• climate change adaption and resilience capabilities for extreme weather and flood defense, monitoring systems and hardening of distribution networks.

Hydro Ottawa intends to fully allocate the green bond proceeds to Eligible Investments within 36 months from the issuance date, and will provide annual updates within one year of issuing a bond under the Framework, and until full allocation of proceeds. 

Sustainalytics reviewed the Framework and provided a Second-Party Opinion which confirmed it is credible and impactful, and aligns with the International Capital Market Association’s Green Bond Principles 2021. The Framework and the Second-Party Opinion can be found on the Company’s website.

BMO Capital Markets and Scotiabank acted as Co-Green Structuring Agents for Hydro Ottawa’s Green Bond Framework.

“Sustainability isn’t a goal, it’s a journey we take together. By investing in electric buses, energy-efficient LEDs, and renewable energy projects, we’re driving real change and building a greener future. We will continue championing innovation and sharing our expertise to create a net-zero ecosystem that benefits everyone.”

– Bryce Conrad, President and Chief Executive Officer

About Hydro Ottawa Holding Inc. 

Hydro Ottawa Holding Inc. (Hydro Ottawa) is a private company 100 per cent owned by the City of Ottawa and whose core businesses are electricity distribution, renewable energy generation, and energy and utility services. As a leading partner in a smart energy future, Hydro Ottawa is committed to sustainability and reducing its impact on the environment in all aspects of its operations. It owns and operates three primary subsidiary companies: Hydro Ottawa Limited – a local distribution company that delivers electricity to more than 364,000 customers in the city of Ottawa and the village of Casselman; Portage Power – the largest Ontario-based municipally-owned producer of green power with 131 megawatts of installed green generation capacity (enough to power 110,000 homes); and Envari Holding Inc. – an energy solutions company offering products and services that help reduce energy consumption and costs for municipalities, industrial and commercial clients, and various local distribution companies. For more information visit: hydroottawaholding.com

For more information:

Hydro Ottawa Media Relations
[email protected]
613-738-5499 ext. 2345

OTTAWA – Hydro Ottawa Holding Inc. (Hydro Ottawa) is supporting Ottawa Community Housing (OCH) in making significant strides towards reducing emissions across its portfolio through the Ottawa Retrofit Accelerator (ORA) program.

As part of this initiative, OCH has engaged Envari Energy Solutions, a subsidiary of Hydro Ottawa and ORA approved carbon pathway study delivery consultant. Envari’s expertise will provide OCH with a comprehensive analysis and a tailored roadmap to maximize energy efficiency across 38 high-rise buildings and pursue its emission reduction targets. They hope the rest of OCH’s portfolio will also go through the programs.

This ambitious project aims to align OCH with the City of Ottawa’s Climate Change Master plan of achieving a 96 per cent reduction in OCH’s emissions by 2040.

This collaboration between Hydro Ottawa and Ottawa Community Housing exemplifies the power of partnership in tackling climate change. Hydro Ottawa’s innovative energy solutions are helping OCH achieve its environmental goals, while OCH’s leadership in sustainability sets a model for other commercial, institutional, or multi-residential buildings to follow in the transition to cleaner energy.

Quick facts

• In July of 2024, OCH and Hydro Ottawa announced an expansion to their existing partnership to further reduce carbon emissions in OCH communities through innovative energy-saving projects. These projects included technical support for the installation of EV charging infrastructure, heat pumps, on-site solar panels, and building automatic systems.
• Hydro Ottawa’s ORA program is available to commercial, institutional, mid-rise and high-rise residential buildings within Hydro Ottawa service territory.
• Hydro Ottawa was selected by Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) to deliver the Ottawa Retrofit Accelerator, a $10 million program running until March 31, 2027.
• Hydro Ottawa’s ORA program provides an ecosystem of support services to help streamline the deep retrofit process and cover a portion of the cost.
• OCH’s goal is to align with the City of Ottawa’s Climate Change Master Plan of reducing emissions by 96 per cent by 2040.
• Since 2011, OCH has saved $64.1 million as a result of their sustainability and efficiency efforts

Quotes:

“This partnership is a testament to the power of collaboration and innovation in tackling climate change and the energy transition. We’re proud to support Ottawa Community Housing in leading the way towards decarbonizing through our Ottawa Retrofit Accelerator program. By investing in energy efficiency and embracing innovative solutions, we can help OCH achieve its ambitious carbon reduction goals while making their buildings more comfortable and affordable for residents. This project is a testament to our shared commitment to a sustainable future for Ottawa.”

• Bryce Conrad, President and Chief Executive Officer, Hydro Ottawa Holding Inc.

“Reviewing our eco performance is crucial for integrating our climate goals into our long-term capital planning. By understanding the decarbonization pathways for each of our buildings, we can make informed decisions on infrastructure upgrades, ensuring both sustainability and affordability for our residents.”

• Stéphane Giguère, CEO, Ottawa Community Housing

Learn more about Hydro Ottawa’s ORA program.

– 30 –

Media contacts

Susan Fekete
Manager, Media and Public Affairs
Hydro Ottawa
Tel: 613-738-5499 ext. 2345
[email protected]

Esther Njuguna
Media Relations Specialist
Ottawa Community Housing
Tel: 343-961-4035
[email protected]

About Hydro Ottawa Holding Inc.

Hydro Ottawa Holding Inc. (Hydro Ottawa) is a private company 100 per cent owned by the City of Ottawa and whose core businesses are electricity distribution, renewable energy generation, energy solutions, telecommunications and utility services. As a leading partner in a smart energy future, Hydro Ottawa is committed to sustainability and reducing its impact on the environment in all aspects of its operations. It owns and operates four primary subsidiary companies: Hydro Ottawa Limited – a local distribution company that delivers electricity to more than 364,000 customers in the City of Ottawa and the Village of Casselman; Portage Power – the largest Ontario-based municipally-owned producer of green power with 131 megawatts of installed green generation capacity (enough to power 110,000 homes); Envari – an energy solutions company offering products and services that help reduce energy consumption and costs for municipalities, industrial and commercial clients, and various local distribution companies; and Hiboo Networks – a high-speed fiber optic network solutions and internet service company providing customers in the Ottawa-Gatineau region with secure and scalable connectivity to enable a strong digital future.

About Ottawa Community Housing

Ottawa Community Housing offers approximately 15,000 homes to about 33,000 tenants, including seniors, families, individuals, and people with disabilities. These homes are located in various communities throughout the City of Ottawa and house a diverse population with different languages, cultures, and ethnicities. OCH is Ottawa’s primary community housing provider, managing two-thirds of the city’s housing portfolio and ranking as the second largest in Ontario. It operates at an arms-length of the City of Ottawa. In 2024, OCH earned recognition for the seventh consecutive year as one of the National Capital Region’s Top Employers.

OTTAWA, October 1, 2024 – Hydro Ottawa Holding Inc. (“Hydro Ottawa”) today announced that it has successfully completed the corporate reorganization announced on May 21, 2024 (the “Reorganization”). As a part of the Reorganization, Hydro Ottawa implemented the Debenture Amendments (as described in the consent solicitation statement dated May 21, 2024 (the “Consent Solicitation Statement”)), pursuant to which Hydro Ottawa Capital Corporation (“HOCC”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Hydro Ottawa, assumed the obligations of Hydro Ottawa in respect of the four series of its outstanding Canadian dollar senior unsecured debentures (the “Debentures”), as listed in the table below.

The exchange of the debentures previously issued by Hydro Ottawa under CUSIP/ISIN 44882CAD6/CA44882CAD61 (for Series 2015-1 Debentures), 44882CAE4/CA44882CAE45 (for Series 2015-2 Debentures), 44882CAC8/CA44882CAC88 (for Series 2013-1 Debentures) and 44882CAB0/CA44882CAB06 (for series 2006-1 Debentures) for the above Debentures was facilitated through the facilities of CDS Clearing and Depository Services Inc.

This press release is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the Debentures or any other securities. Copies of the Consent Solicitation Statement may be obtained from TMX Investor Solutions Inc., the information agent for the consent solicitation, by email at [email protected].

Any persons with questions regarding the Debentures should contact Hydro Ottawa’s information agent, TMX Investor Solutions Inc. as follows:

TMX Investor Solutions Inc.

301 – 100 Adelaide Street West

Toronto, Ontario M5H 1S3

Toll Free in North America: 1(866) 796-6867

Call direct: (438) 944-1086

Email: [email protected]

About Hydro Ottawa Holding Inc.

Hydro Ottawa Holding Inc. (Hydro Ottawa) is a private company wholly owned by the City of Ottawa. Our core businesses include electricity distribution, renewable energy generation, energy solutions, telecommunications and utility services. For more information, please visit: https://hydroottawagroup.com/.

Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

This document may include certain forward-looking information and forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. These statements are based on management’s current expectations or beliefs and are subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances. Actual results may vary materially from those expressed or implied by the statements herein due to changes in economic, business, competitive, technological, strategic and/or regulatory factors, industry structure and stability, and other factors affecting the operations of Hydro Ottawa.

For more information:

Hydro Ottawa Media Relations
[email protected]
613-738-5499 ext. 2345

Today, Hydro Ottawa Holding Inc. (Hydro Ottawa) and Ottawa Community Housing (OCH), the largest community and affordable housing provider in Ottawa, announced the expansion of an existing partnership to further reduce carbon emissions in OCH communities through innovative energy-saving projects.

By combining Hydro Ottawa’s energy efficiency and renewable energy expertise with OCH’s drive to offer innovative housing solutions for sustainable living, this strengthened  partnership will play a crucial role in reducing Ottawa’s carbon footprint. It will also lead to lower overhead costs for OCH, allowing them to preserve affordability and provide more environmentally friendly housing options for low-income residents.

Ongoing and future energy-saving projects include:

• EV charging infrastructure to promote electric vehicle car-sharing
  • To date, the EV car-share program has seen 255 users collectively travel 34,444 kilometers over 4,695 hours of drive time
• New solar panels to generate clean energy on-site
  • To date, 37 solar arrays have been installed and have the capacity to generate 500,000 kWh
• Installation of heat pumps for efficient heating and cooling
  • This major investment by Hydro Ottawa and OCH, includes the design for the installation of 260 heat pumps for individual townhomes, over time.
• Building automation systems (BAS) to optimize energy use. BAS systems have been implemented in 18 OCH buildings and is currently working on the design for another 27 buildings.

This collaboration highlights the power of community partnerships in driving positive change. By working together to conserve energy and tackle climate change, Hydro Ottawa and OCH are demonstrating their shared commitment to building a stronger, healthier community and contributing to a more sustainable future in the National Capital Region. 

Quick facts

• OCH’s goal is to align with the City of Ottawa’s Climate Change Master Plan of reducing emissions by 96 per cent by 2040.
• Since 2010, $64.1M in cost savings has been reinvested in improving OCH operations.
• Hydro Ottawa’s affiliate, Envari Energy Solutions, has been supporting OCH with several initiatives, including their Building Automation Systems, allowing OCH to reduce emissions and improve energy efficiency.
• In 2022, OCH partnered with Hydro Ottawa, the Ottawa Climate Action Fund, EnviroCentre, and car-sharing company Communauto to launch a pilot EV car-share program at phase one of Mosaïq Ottawa. The program included the installation of EV charging infrastructure by Envari Energy Solutions. Due to its success, the program will be expanded to include another OCH development at 715 Mikinak later this summer.
• Since its launch, the EV car-share program has seen 255 users collectively travel 34,444 kilometers over 4,695 hours of drive time (as of June 2024). The car is available to nearly 700 tenants living in five Ottawa Community Housing communities.
• Hydro Ottawa and OCH are actively exploring collaborating on future carbon reducing projects to achieve mutual net-zero goals. Of note, this includes the engineering and design for the future installation of heat pumps for individual townhomes; and supporting OCH with their Long-Range Capital and Carbon Plan to name a few.

Quotes:

“This partnership between Hydro Ottawa and Ottawa Community Housing is about more than just energy efficiency – it’s about creating more comfortable, sustainable homes for residents. By working together, we will implement solutions that reduce environmental impact, lower energy costs, and improve overall comfort. Hydro Ottawa is committed to supporting our customers in every way possible as we move toward a smarter energy future.”

• Bryce Conrad, President and Chief Executive Officer

“This partnership with Hydro Ottawa is a significant step toward achieving our mission. Together, we will implement innovative energy-saving technologies that reduce our carbon footprint, lower energy costs, and provide advanced energy solutions to residents. This strategic collaboration aligns with OCH’s commitment to reducing its carbon emissions and reinforces Hydro Ottawa’s dedication to supporting green energy and carbon reduction projects within the community. At OCH, we are dedicated to creating sustainable, affordable housing options for residents. Our combined efforts underscore our shared commitment to building stronger and greener communities”

• Stéphane Giguère, CEO of Ottawa Community Housing

Media contacts

Josée Larocque
Director, Communications and Public Affairs
Hydro Ottawa
Tel: 613-738-5499 ext. 2345
[email protected]

Chantal Genova
Manager, Corporate Communications
Ottawa Community Housing
343-997-5700
[email protected]

About Hydro Ottawa Holding Inc.

Hydro Ottawa Holding Inc. (Hydro Ottawa) is a private company 100 per cent owned by the City of Ottawa and whose core businesses are electricity distribution, renewable energy generation, energy solutions, telecommunications and utility services. As a leading partner in a smart energy future, Hydro Ottawa is committed to sustainability and reducing its impact on the environment in all aspects of its operations. It owns and operates four primary subsidiary companies: Hydro Ottawa Limited – a local distribution company that delivers electricity to more than 364,000 customers in the City of Ottawa and the Village of Casselman; Portage Power – the largest Ontario-based municipally-owned producer of green power with 131 megawatts of installed green generation capacity (enough to power 110,000 homes); Envari – an energy solutions company offering products and services that help reduce energy consumption and costs for municipalities, industrial and commercial clients, and various local distribution companies; and Hiboo Networks – a high-speed fiber optic network solutions and internet service company providing customers in the Ottawa-Gatineau region with secure and scalable connectivity to enable a strong digital future.

About Ottawa Community Housing:

Ottawa Community Housing offers approximately 15,000 homes to about 33,000 tenants, including seniors, families, individuals, and people with disabilities. These homes are located in various communities throughout the City of Ottawa and house a diverse population with different languages, cultures, and ethnicities. OCH is Ottawa’s primary community housing provider, managing two-thirds of the city’s housing portfolio and ranking as the second largest in Ontario. It operates at an arms-length of the City of Ottawa. In 2024, OCH earned recognition for the seventh consecutive year as one of the National Capital Region’s Top Employers.

OTTAWA – Today, Hydro Ottawa Holding Inc. presented its 2023 Annual Report, highlighting successes in enabling sustainable energy solutions for customers, preparing for and responding to extreme weather events, and maintaining a safe and reliable supply of electricity.

Board Chair, Bernie Ashe, and President and Chief Executive Officer, Bryce Conrad, presented the company’s 2023 results during the Annual General Meeting today before Ottawa City Council. They also provided an update on the company’s portfolio of locally-based clean energy project partnerships, ongoing efforts to boost grid resilience in the face of increasingly frequent severe weather events, and plans for investing in distribution system infrastructure over the coming years to support the city’s growth and increased electrification of the economy.

Hydro Ottawa’s core mandate remains unchanged: to provide a safe, reliable supply of electricity to approximately 364,000 residential and commercial customers that rely upon the company every day; and to ensure a more sustainable energy future for its community.

Quick Facts

• Hydro Ottawa’s 2023 consolidated net income was $24.1 million.

• In accordance with the City Council-approved dividend policy, Hydro Ottawa’s dividend payment to the City will be $20 million this year, which will be used by the City to fund municipal programs and services. 

• Despite the impacts of extreme weather events, Hydro Ottawa’s maintained high levels of service reliability and achieved its second best-ever outage frequency result. On average, Hydro Ottawa customers had power 99.92 per cent of the time.

• As part of its focus on improving emergency preparedness and response, Hydro Ottawa introduced outage alert notifications to customers via text message and email, along with a new online outage map with enhanced functionality.

• Hydro Ottawa announced a partnership with The Ottawa Hospital to design and develop an energy-efficient central utility plant for its new Civic Campus. The plant will sustainably power the state-of-the-art facility and help minimize its carbon footprint.

• Portage Power, the company’s renewable energy subsidiary, was awarded a 20-year contract for Renewable Energy Certificates from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, through the State’s Renewable Energy Standard program.

• Envari, the company’s energy and utility services business, continued to advance its signature carbon-reduction partnerships: supporting OC Transpo with transitioning to a zero-emission bus fleet and assisting the Ottawa International Airport Authority in reducing its energy consumption and environmental footprint.

• To help enable a smart and connected National Capital Region, Hydro Ottawa publicly launched its new telecommunications affiliate, Hiboo Networks, which will provide fiber optic network solutions to businesses and institutions in Ottawa and Gatineau.

• Hydro Ottawa achieved a 91 per cent overall customer satisfaction score and maintained the highest e-billing participation rate among Ontario distribution utilities (65 per cent).

• The journey towards becoming the first municipally-owned utility in Canada to achieve net-zero operations continued with the procurement of additional electric vehicles (EVs) for field crews, the installation of EV chargers at work centres, and the launch of environmental assessment and public consultation processes for the Piperville Municipal Transformer Station, which is being developed using low-carbon design and construction techniques.

• During an 84-day labour strike, Hydro Ottawa successfully executed its contingency plans for maintaining service to customers and mobilizing additional resources to assist with outage restoration.

• Hydro Ottawa’s employee-driven charitable campaign raised more than $142,000 for United Way Eastern Ontario and $53,000 for the Royal Ottawa Prompt Care Clinic. In addition, sponsorships and donations totalling $102,000 were contributed through the Community Investment Program to local organizations supporting vulnerable groups and seeking to build stronger and healthier communities.

Quotes

“In 2023, Hydro Ottawa once again demonstrated that we will deliver on our mission to provide safe, reliable electricity, no matter what challenges come our way. In the face of extreme weather events, significant economic pressures and a labour strike, the company pushed forward and never wavered in its commitment to being there for the residents and businesses who depend on us. I’m proud of how the team has emerged stronger, with our attention firmly fixed on the exciting opportunities ahead for adopting more sustainable ways of using energy.”

-Bernie Ashe, Chair, Board of Directors

“More and more, overcoming adversity and adapting to change are key watchwords for Hydro Ottawa. Not only did we navigate a landscape of continuous challenges in 2023, we did so while pursuing new opportunities aimed at accelerating the transition to a more sustainable future. Building on the lessons and accomplishments of the past year, we’re more focused than ever on being a trusted partner and solutions provider for our customers and community.”

-Bryce Conrad, President and Chief Executive Officer

Media contact:

Susan Fekete
Manager, Media and Public Affairs
Hydro Ottawa Holding Inc.
[email protected]