Irving Oil to power its Saint John Energy-supplied properties with wind energy
Saint John (NB) – Irving Oil is proud to partner with Saint John Energy to power our Saint John Energy-supplied properties with wind energy by 2023 – an exciting step in our company’s continued commitment to developing sustainable solutions now and in the future.
With this investment, Irving Oil will be the largest purchaser of Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) provided by Saint John Energy through the Burchill Wind Project, which is currently under construction at the Spruce Lake Industrial Park on the city’s west side and is scheduled to be operational by the end of 2022.
In using these RECs, Irving Oil will be among the first in Saint John to fully decarbonize electricity from Saint John Energy’s grid – transitioning more than 30 properties in the city to be powered by wind energy. This does not include the Saint John refinery, which does not acquire power from Saint John Energy.
“We are proud to work with a hometown partner like Saint John Energy to power our Saint John operations with 100% locally produced green energy,” said Ian Whitcomb, President of Irving Oil. “We understand the importance of clean, sustainable power and are pleased to be able to harness green energy for our operations in the city.”
From our home office in uptown Saint John to our Irving Blending & Packaging facility and East Saint John Terminal on Courtenay Bay, these properties and more will run on wind power. This initiative is aligned with our company’s recently announced sustainability goals targeting 30% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and in support of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
The 42-megawatt wind farm is owned by Natural Forces – a private, independent power producer that delivers renewable energy projects in partnership with local communities across Canada. Saint John Energy has a power purchase agreement with Natural Forces for the energy output of the wind farm, made up of 10 wind turbines.
“We’re delighted to be able to harness the Burchill wind farm to support Irving Oil and others in Saint John transition toward net zero. Helping the community transition confidently to a clean energy future helps not only Saint John but the province as a whole,” said Ryan Mitchell, President and CEO of Saint John Energy. “There is a tremendous demand for Renewable Energy Certificates, and we’re excited to be able to offer this option to those in our community who are looking for the assurance that they are powered by 100 per cent renewable electricity.”
Because electricity is generated from many different sources ranging from nuclear to natural gas to renewables – all of which are combined onto the provincial grid – purchasing RECs is one of the only methods to ensure electricity comes from a renewable energy source.
“To invest in this clean source of energy developed in Saint John to power all of our Saint John Energy-supplied sites is something we are very proud of,” said Irving Oil Executive Vice President and Chief Brand Officer Sarah Irving. “Its impact on reducing our environmental footprint supports our commitment to a more sustainable energy future and the important steps we are taking every day to be a part of the solution.”
Learn more about how Irving Oil is working to develop a more sustainable energy future in our 2021 Sustainability Report.
About Irving Oil:
Irving Oil is a family-owned and privately held international energy company. For nearly 100 years, our commitment to doing good business has been grounded in our commitment to people – to our employees, customers, communities and partners. Founded in 1924, our mission is focused on our continued evolution to meet the changing needs of our customers. Specializing in the refining and marketing of finished energy products, we operate Canada’s largest refinery in Saint John, New Brunswick, and Ireland’s only refinery located in the village of Whitegate. We proudly serve customers with more than 1,000 fuelling locations and a network of distribution terminals spanning Eastern Canada, New England and in Ireland, operating under the Top brand. We are on a continuous journey of sustainable development, working to reduce our environmental footprint while continuing to provide safe and reliable energy to our customers. Named one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers for six consecutive years, we are proud of our team and our longstanding commitment to our customers and our communities. Learn more at irvingoil.com.
About Saint John Energy:
Saint John Energy is a progressive energy company providing trusted energy solutions to more than 36,000 residential and business customers in Saint John, New Brunswick. Locally owned and operated since 1922, it is one of the highest-rated electrical utilities in Canada for reliability and customer satisfaction and holds the coveted Sustainable Electricity Company designation. Its commitment to innovation has earned it national and international acclaim, including an Award of Excellence from the International Smart Grid Action Network for innovation and a Clean50 Award for outstanding commitment to sustainability. For more information, visit sjenergy.com.
Media Contacts:
Katherine d’Entremont
Irving Oil
[email protected]
506.654.7162
Jessica DeLong
Saint John Energy
[email protected]
506.647.0365