16 October 2024
On September 26, during its Annual Congress in Quebec City, the Fédération québécoise des municipalités (FQM) officially launched its “Ma Municipalité Verte” initiative, highlighting its newest program, ÉcoÉnergie 360. Developed in partnership with SOFIAC, this program aims to help municipalities reduce their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions while improving the energy performance of their infrastructure. Through an innovative approach, this program offers a sustainable solution without any initial investment or impact on municipal finances.
The ÉcoÉnergie 360 program stands out with a financing model entirely based on energy savings generated by the projects. This mechanism enables municipalities to undertake energy renovation projects without increasing their net long-term debt. In fact, the savings made directly cover the cost of the work, ensuring a transition to more efficient infrastructure without additional financial pressure. Through this solution, municipalities will also benefit from comprehensive support in decarbonizing their facilities.
The ÉcoÉnergie 360 program offers several key advantages for Quebec municipalities.
Comprehensive support throughout the project: decarbonization projects are fully managed by the FQM team, from planning to the implementation of solutions.
External financing: the program has no impact on the municipality’s net long-term debt.
Municipal ownership: the renovated infrastructure remains municipal property from the start of the work.
Access to grants: municipalities can take advantage of all available financial assistance under the initiative to maximize their savings.
Repayment based on energy savings: the savings achieved are used to repay the cost of the work.
Reduction of GHG emissions: a direct impact on the energy transition and reduction of GHG emissions in Quebec.
SOFIAC plays a crucial role in the success of the ÉcoÉnergie 360 program. As an investor and strategic partner, SOFIAC takes on the necessary investment for energy renovation work in close collaboration with the FQM teams. This partnership enables municipalities to benefit from high-level technical and financial expertise to achieve their energy transition and decarbonization goals.
Through this collaboration, the ÉcoÉnergie 360 program becomes a genuine solution for municipalities wishing to actively contribute to Quebec’s energy transition while optimizing the performance of their infrastructure and reducing their carbon footprint.
Pierre Langlois, founder and co-manager of SOFIAC, states: “We are very pleased to offer the SOFIAC model to Quebec municipalities. SOFIAC was designed to remove the financial, technical, and structural barriers that organizations may face when undertaking energy efficiency projects. SOFIAC’s development across Canada, its implementation in Europe, and now its program offered to municipalities through the FQM demonstrate the relevance of our model and our company’s commitment to accelerating the energy transition and large-scale decarbonization.”
Mr. Jacques Demers, President of the FQM, Mayor of Sainte-Catherine-de-Hatley, and Warden of the Memphrémagog RCM, adds: “Thanks to programs like ÉcoÉnergie 360, we are empowering Quebec municipalities to implement concrete measures to address the climate emergency, without compromising their financial situation. We are very proud of the partnership established with SOFIAC to develop this innovative service offering!”
With ÉcoÉnergie 360, Quebec municipalities now have a powerful tool to modernize their infrastructure while respecting environmental imperatives. This innovative program is concrete proof of the FQM and SOFIAC’s commitment to supporting a sustainable and economically viable energy transition for a greener and more prosperous future.
For more information on the ÉcoÉnergie 360 program
https://mamunicipaliteverte.ca/programmes/decarbonation/
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