More on District Energy

Len Sommestad, President, Swedish District Heating Association and former Minister of the Environment for Sweden, was a key note speaker at the recent Canadian District Energy Association conference.  She described district energy as an “environmental movement” in Sweden.

Thirty years ago, Sweden set out to be energy self-sufficient.  Today, over 50% of their homes are served by district energy systems that deliver inexpensive, highly efficient heat from a variety of sources including heat sources that are normally wasted in Canada. 

Originally, their energy came primarily from fossil fuels - oil, gas and coal.  However, with a goal to become fossil fuel free, they have over the years been successful in switching to mostly alternative and renewable sources of energy to heat their homes.

Guelph has used the Swedish experience to set the targets in our community energy plan.  It took 30 years for Sweden to get where it is today.  In 25 years, we plan to be at least where Sweden is today.  Our goals are ambitious but obviously achievable as it has been done before.  All components of our community energy plan are alive and working well in some community around the world.