How the NDES Works
District energy systems centralize the production of thermal energy to provide heating and/or cooling to a network of interconnected buildings. By centralizing thermal energy, buildings need less equipment and building owners have lower operations and maintenance costs.
NDES and the Neighbourhood Climate Action Plan
Decarbonizing the NDES energy supply will decarbonize all the existing buildings serviced by the system and all future ones that connect. The original NDES concept envisioned a switch to 60% low carbon energy supply. UBC’s Neighbourhood Climate Action Plan takes this concept further and maps out a plan to bring the NDES to 100% low carbon operations.
About Corix Utilities
The NDES is owned and operated by Corix and regulated by the BC Utilities Commission (BCUC), similar to how BC Hydro provides electricity to municipalities across the province. UBC partnered with Corix to develop the NDES, which has been providing heat and domestic hot water to new homes built in Wesbrook Place since 2015.
Notice from Corix
On December 31, 2024, Corix filed a rate application with the BCUC requesting approval of increased rates for the NDES over the next three years (2025, 2026, 2027) with increases effective January 1 of each year. The BCUC has provided interim approval of Corix’s 2025 rate increase and initiated the regulatory proceeding. To learn more about the rate application and how the community can get involved, see this Frequently Asked Questions document prepared by Corix.
Public Consultation
When the project was first introduced in 2013, two rounds of public consultation were held to provide the community with an opportunity to learn more and to provide feedback. Select the drop down below to learn about each phase of consultation.