As a sustainable company, Alectra is committed to meeting today’s needs and the needs of future generations by empowering our customers, communities, and employees, protecting the environment, and embracing innovation.
Achieving this commitment is guided by AlectraCARES – the umbrella that guides our efforts according to the three pillars of sustainability – People, Planet, Performance.
We have embedded sustainability principles in our core business strategy and operations in order to create enduring value for customers and the communities we serve.
Annual Impact Report 2022
In 2022, Alectra continued on the path to reduce its corporate operations greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions targeting 25% reduction in GHG. To date, Alectra’s corporate operations (LDC) have achieved a 23.1% reduction (Scope 1 and Scope 2) including Alectra’s six facilities within Mississauga, Brampton, Hamilton and St. Catharines and their associated fleets.
Alectra’s targets are reviewed and determined annually on the basis of availability of capital, technology availability, customer affordability, and other factors. As an electrical distribution utility (LDC) regulated by the Ontario Energy Board, Alectra is bound by two key requirements; reliability and affordability are required to connect customers within their service territory as a condition of their operating licence.
Post-pandemic, Alectra faced capital constraints due to increased customer activities (in effect more customers wishing to move to into Alectra’s service territory increasing the energy need). As well, customers are increasingly converting from fossil fuel to electricity and as such, Alectra’s capital has been focused on customer connections and related necessary systems. Over 60% of Alectra’s GHGs emission are a result of fleet. To mitigate this affect, Alectra is converting its smaller gas passenger vehicles to electric passenger vehicles. Large “utility” grade vehicles have longer lead times. In the interim, Alectra has adopted new technology to increase fuel efficiency and reduce GHG emissions for these larger diesel vehicles (HydrGEN).
Alectra has developed targets that are realistic, achievable and timebound (one to three outlook) taking into account our capital availability.
Alectra conducted a materiality assessment to gather feedback from stakeholders to determine what issues are relevant and significant to them.
Every year, Alectra invests over $1 million into the communities we serve. These funds empower not-for-profit organizations and charities that share our vision to build sustainable communities to meet the needs of present and future generations.
In 2022, Alectra focused support towards local food security, access to health care, children and youth welfare and mental health. We supported critical events and programs in Hamilton such as the YWCA’s Walk a Mile in Their Shoes, Outward Bound, and Wesley Ministries. In St. Catharines, we provided support to Niagara Children’s Centre, Niagara Health Foundation and Start Me Up Niagara. Alectra was also named the Official Energy Supplier for the Niagara 2022 Canada Summer Games and installed advanced solar technology and electric vehicle chargers on the roof of the Henley Rowing Centre. In Peel, Alectra committed over $150,000 to Trillium Health Partners’ Institute for Better Health (IBH), a research and innovation engine with the mission of developing a new kind of health care for a healthier community.
Annual Impact Report 2021
In 2021, Alectra continued on the path to reduce their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The corporate operations achieved a 20% reduction. Alectra’s three facilities within Hamilton (John St. and Nebo Rd.) and St. Catharines and their associated fleets achieved a 18% reduction.
Throughout the year, Alectra supported over 30 COVID-safe community programs, such as Hamilton YWCA’s Walk a Mile in Her Shoes and the Second Harvest Food Rescue Program. They also made a Make A Wish donation for a child in Hamilton. In the summer, Alectra sponsored a COVID-19 vaccination clinic on Hamilton’s Barton Street. At the end of the year, Alectra backed the Niagara Health Foundation’s Celebration of Lights donation matching campaign, matching up to $10,000 in donations to purchase urgent care equipment for Niagara Health.
Annual Impact Report 2020
To date, the organization exceeded its initial target by achieving a 23% reduction. Alectra’s three facilities in Hamilton and St. Catharines logged a 18% reduction. Natural gas consumption continued to decline with the replacement of infrared heaters at the service centres and re-optimizing the Building Automation System.
Alectra continued to support the community during the pandemic donating personal protective equipment in the form of N95 particulate respirator masks to Niagara Health in St. Catharines. To further support Niagara Health, Alectra purchased and donated a N95 mask cleaner to allow sanitization and reuse of masks to ensure frontline workers were properly protected. Foodbanks in the communities also received support from corporate donations as well as support form employees.
Annual Impact Report 2019
To date, the organization has achieved a 19% reduction, with Alectra’s two Hamilton locations logging a 5% reduction. Alectra Utilities’ head office located at 55 John Street North underwent a renovation where energy efficiency was top of mind – including installation of LED lighting and HVAC retrofits.
Alectra continued to support community sustainability initiatives funding twelve events and eight programs run by not-for-profits and other community organizations. Alectra also provided a two-year, $50,000 partnership with the YWCA to develop their Ottawa Street building.
Alectra also assisted in improving the environmental footprint of Supercrawl and downtown seasonal public art displays. Funded by the City of Hamilton, Alectra installed three power conduits which allowed organizers to eliminate four diesel generators.
Annual Business Report 2018- 2019
Alectra’s downtown Hamilton facility has taken advantage of HCE’s District Energy System and reduced our natural gas usage by 63 per cent. Electricity savings have also been found as we continue to improve our processes that were developed to meet the ISO 5001 Energy Management System Certification.
2018-2019 Profile
Alectra conducted a materiality assessment to gather feedback from stakeholders to determine what issues are relevant and significant to them. This helped define what sustainability means to us: As a sustainable company, we are committed to empowering our customers, communities, and employees, protect the environment, and embracing innovation to meet today’s needs and the needs of future generations.
AlectraCARES Community Support Program has supported over 24 non-profit organizations in Hamilton to help foster a healthy, diverse, and sustainable community.
We provided Mohawk College with the use of a decommissioned substation for students to learn about transformers, switchgear and substations in a life-like working environment.
Alectra has continued to support businesses and residents in Hamilton by helping customers reduce their energy consumption totaling 34,000,000 kWh, the equivalent of taking 3,786 homes off the grid for a year.
