Electric Boiler & Power Plant Addition

Project Summary

Western University is installing two new electric boilers in its Power Plant to generate steam, reducing the university's carbon emissions and replacing an old natural gas boiler. This $18 million project, supported by $4.75 million in federal funding, is a key step toward Western's net-zero goals and will produce approximately 40% of the campus's steam requirements. The addition is estimated to reduce campus emissions by 20-30%.

Steam generated by the plant serves nearly 100 buildings on campus and University Hospital, making Western a significant part of the City of London's energy infrastructure. 

To create space for the new units, an addition will extend from the exiting building towards the Faculty of Information and Media Studies / Nursing Building to the east.

Focus on sustainability and growth

• Decarbonization: The primary goal is to reduce carbon emissions, as the steam system accounts for a significant portion of the university's overall emissions.
• Steam Generation: The electric boilers will produce high-pressure steam for the district heating and cooling system, which heats and cools buildings across campus and provides steam to University Hospital.
• Resilience: The new boilers will also increase system redundancy, ensuring a reliable supply of heat and hot water even during unexpected repairs.