Our Performance

Providing energy savings and environmental benefits

In 2006 alone, our DSM programs saved about 77.5 million cubic metres of natural gas, enough to supply more than 25,000 homes with natural gas for a year. Over the past decade, our DSM programs have delivered about 2.9 billion cubic metres of natural gas savings (the equivalent of enough gas to supply 955,000 homes for one year) and net energy savings to our customers of about $1.2 billion. In addition, we have avoided CO₂ emissions of about 5.5 million tonnes.

Serving small commercial customers

Building on this success, we are continually searching for ways to enhance the reach and effectiveness of our DSM programs. In 2006, we offered a broader suite of energy efficiency measures to the highly diverse small commercial sector. The small commercial customer has been classified as a commercial establishment that uses less than 75,000m³ of natural gas. This includes customers ranging from “mom-and-pop” grocery stores to small low-rise apartment buildings. Businesses belonging to this sector tend to be independently owned and have less than 50 employees. Enbridge Gas Distribution is leveraging channel partners to help reach this market and deliver these programs.

Contributing to policy on DSM

As a recognized DSM leader in the natural gas industry, Enbridge Gas Distribution is frequently invited to provide advice on DSM initiatives. In 2006, we participated in an Ontario Energy Board Natural Gas DSM Generic Issues Proceeding, the results of which proved to be very favourable. Through this proceeding, Enbridge Gas Distribution was able to help establish a new framework for natural gas DSM in Ontario. Going forward in 2007, we will be entering an exciting phase for DSM at Enbridge. We will be delivering our DSM program under a new incentive framework that provides shareholders with a share of the benefits from every cubic metre of gas saved. Also for the first time, Enbridge will be operating its DSM programs under the stability of a multi-year plan. This will allow the company to build, expand and maximize the DSM programs it is currently offering. The results will have positive impacts, not only for our customers participating in the DSM programs, but also for broader conservation efforts in the province of Ontario.