From 2008 to 2009, Summerhill Impact partnered with eight local electricity distribution companies to deliver the Ontario Power Authority’s Power Savings Blitz program. The program was delivered to eligible small business customers in the service territories of Cambridge and North Dumfries Hydro, Festival Hydro, Guelph Hydro, Hydro One, Kitchener-Wilmot Hydro, Veridian Connections, Waterloo North Hydro and Whitby Hydro.

During the 2008-2009 program delivery period:

• Over 1,750 small businesses received an energy audit of their facilities
• 1,570 energy saving retrofits were completed  
• Achieved a total annual reduction of more than 5,590 MWh

Participating Businesses were offered a free energy audit that identified energy efficient upgrade opportunities. Businesses that agree to proceed with the upgrades each received up to $1,000 worth of energy efficient improvements, free of charge.

The Government Funder, the Ontario Power Authority, was able to successfully reach a typically hard-to-reach sector. The OPA’s decision to offer such a significant financial incentive was one of the key reasons for program uptake.

Our Industry Partners, Sonepar Canada and Osso Electric, provided the lighting expertise and electrical contractors required for the implementation of Power Savings Blitz. Their contribution to the energy conservation results we obtained was invaluable.