Manitoba Race to Reduce

Manitoba office buildings reduce energy use by 9% over a four-year period

Manitoba’s energy efficiency leaders came together virtually to celebrate the achievements of property management companies, landlords, and tenants in reducing energy consumption through their participation in Manitoba Race to Reduce. The awards ceremony was held on April 29, 2021 and marked the conclusion of the four-year challenge.

Launched in 2017, Manitoba Race to Reduce is a friendly challenge aimed at reducing energy use in commercial buildings through collaboration between landlords and tenants. Sponsored by Efficiency Manitoba, buildings hosted energy efficiency tenant engagement events, conducted retrofit projects, and optimized lighting and HVAC schedules to improve energy efficiency.

Thirty-one office buildings in Winnipeg and Brandon participated with a combined 7.5 million square feet of commercial office space:

Together, participants saved over 16 million equivalent kilowatt-hours, representing an energy use reduction of 9.1%. Fifteen buildings exceeded the Race’s overall objective of a 10% energy use reduction.

Eight awards were presented to buildings achieving the greatest energy savings through their participation in Manitoba Race to Reduce. The winners are as follows:

• Sustained Excellence: 447 Portage Ave (IG Wealth Management)
  This award is presented to the building that demonstrated the largest consistent reduction in energy use year-over-year since the beginning of the Race. 

• Most Improved Energy Use: 447 Portage Ave (IG Wealth Management) 
  This award is presented to the building that reduced the largest proportion of its energy compared to its 2016 consumption. 447 Portage Ave reduced its energy consumption by 33% since 2016. 

• Largest Natural Gas Reduction: 447 Portage Ave (IG Wealth Management) 
  This award is presented to the building that saved the largest amount of natural gas during the fourth year of the Race. 447 Portage Ave reduced its natural gas consumption by over 215,000 cubic metres. 

• Largest Electricity Reduction: 360 Main St (Artis REIT) 
  This award is presented to the building that saved the largest amount of electricity during the fourth year of the Race. 360 Main St reduced its electricity consumption by 3.2 million kilowatt-hours. 

• Most Improved Energy Use Intensity: 195 Fort St (Cushman & Wakefield Stevenson)
  This award is presented to the building that reduced its energy use intensity (energy use per square foot of occupied space) the most compared to its 2016 consumption. 195 Fort St reduced its energy consumption by 21% since 2016.  

• Most Improved Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction: 125 Garry St (Colliers International) 
  This award is presented to the building that reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by the largest portion during the fourth year of the Race. 125 Garry St reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by 33%. 

• Manitoba Race to Reduce Energy Efficiency Champion Award: Richard Bracken (IG Wealth Management)
  Richard Bracken is celebrated by his colleagues at IG Wealth Management as a champion for energy efficiency. He planned Manitoba Race to Reduce engagement events and supported his building operator with green building enhancements. 

• Most Improved Energy Use Intensity by Property Management Company (Cushman & Wakefield Stevenson) 
  This award is presented to the property management company that reduced their energy use intensity the most for their portfolio of buildings in the Race. Cushman & Wakefield Stevenson reduced their average energy use intensity in their three participating Race buildings by 16%. 

“While the Race may be over, energy efficiency is a lifelong endeavour,” said Colleen Kuruluk (CEO, Efficiency Manitoba) to participants. “We look forward to working with you to continue to find ways to promote energy efficiency in your buildings, especially as folks return to their offices over the next several months.

“Share the good news, spread the word, and keep taking action to save energy, money, and the environment.”