Royal Agricultural Winter Fair to be totally green

Renewable Energy Certificates enable The Royal to use 100% green power by offsetting electricity with low-impact hydroelectric generation in Ontario, reducing carbon footprint and supporting sustainability across agriculture and conference venues at Exhibition Place.

For the first time in the 87-year history of The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, the entire electricity consumption of the Fair will be greened with renewable power.

Direct Energy Business will be greening the electricity usage of The Royal by purchasing Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs), aligning with Ontario's Green Energy Act goals for cleaner power.

The timing of this important new green initiative is ideal as The Royal is honoured to welcome Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall to officially open the 2009 Royal.

"Prince Charles has been a champion of the environment for many years. It gives us great pleasure that Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, will be opening our first 100% green powered Fair," said RAWF representative CEO Bill Duron.

Direct Energy Business secured Renewable Energy Credits from low-impact hydroelectric generation facilities based in Ontario, while the ecoENERGY program for wind farms expands clean generation options, to offset the electricity usage over the 10-day event.

"The agriculture industry is a very environmentally aware market. The Royal is setting an example for the industry that everyone needs to consider the environmental impact and carbon footprint of their operation as Canada moves toward a greener power standard for all sectors," noted Tom Marshall, Direct Energy Business Development Manager. "It is encouraging that more and more organizations within the agricultural industry and across Canada are looking for ways to be more environmentally conscious."

In addition to The Royal, which takes place at Exhibition Place, Direct Energy Business recently helped the Allstream Centre at Exhibition Place become Canada's greenest conference centre, similar to a Toronto office building retrofit that pioneered renewable energy for cooling, by providing 100% green power for the next two years.

Related News

• Electricity Forum News

• Renewable Energy News