For Immediate Release
PUC Services to help Sault Area Hospital save $3 million through innovative energy storage
technology
Sault Ste. Marie (March 18, 2021) – PUC Services Inc. is proud to announce a new innovative program
that will help the Sault Area Hospital (SAH) save an estimated 3 million dollars on its energy
bill, over the next ten years.
PUC has created the Customer Energy Management (CEMa) Program, to help its larger electrical
customers reduce their electricity bill. The program will provide SAH with improved power
reliability and quality while reducing energy bills through the use of a battery energy storage
system. This will allow SAH to store electricity during off peak hours and use it during peak rate
times, which are the busiest part of the day for the hospital.
“This program will provide substantial savings to SAH, allowing the hospital to redirect those
funds to important and essential health care services and equipment for our region,” said Robert
Brewer, President and CEO of PUC Services Inc. “The PUC’s vision is to improve communities through
curiosity and innovation and we strongly believe this program does exactly that.”
“Since joining the Industrial Conservation Initiative in 2017, the ICI has enabled us to recognize
trends in demand and energy consumption better and identify opportunities for energy efficiency
given our 24/7 operations. The CEMa Program is an innovative solution to energy storage, without an
impact on patient care delivery,” said Wendy Hansson, President and CEO of Sault Area Hospital. “As
well, this program adds another level of electrical redundancy to the hospital by providing an
uninterruptible power source to the entire building in the event of a power outage. We wish to
thank PUC for their leadership and partnership on this initiative and the positive benefits that
will support health care delivery in our community.”
PUC has partnered with Demand Power Group Inc. to deliver the CEMa solutions. The Toronto- based
energy company is known of helping commercial and industrial clients lower their energy
bills.
Demand Power Group Inc. CEO, Raj Chudgar said: “As a leading provider of intelligent power
solutions and behind-the-meter tactics, we are pleased to be supporting PUC Services Inc. We look
forward to providing Sault Area Hospital (SAH) with substantial energy savings so they can fund
what’s truly important – providing the essential care their patients deserve.”
“This initiative is a testament to the PUC’s value as a community partner and the benefits of a
municipally owned utility,” said Christian Provenzano, Mayor of Sault Ste. Marie.
“We can continue to drive innovation and deliver projects that create value in and for our
community. While we don’t set electricity prices, we can develop and implement projects that reduce
energy usage and save money.”
Construction is expected to start within the next month and the plan is to be operational by the
end of July.
Media contact:
Jairus Patterson Communications Coordinator PUC Services Inc.
P: 705-759-6581
C: 705-254-8979
E: jairus.patterson@ssmpuc.com
