In its Plan for a Green Economy, Quebec has set itself the objective of reducing the emissions of its building stock by 60% by 2030. This is an ambitious objective given the dilapidated energy systems in the regions. government buildings.
This target is achievable since the potential for reducing greenhouse gases (GHGs) in buildings is considerable. However, to improve the performance of energy systems and simultaneously reduce GHG emissions, Québec will have to resolve to impose new measures in its public contracts, in order to achieve its environmental objectives.
Rather than calls for tenders for which the main award criterion is the lowest cost, the Government of Quebec would benefit from generalizing to all public infrastructure contracts calls for solutions and performance contracts based on results.
This approach requires the private partner to commit to measurable results such as project costs, energy savings, reduction of the energy bill, reduction of GHG emissions, etc.
It would accelerate the energy transition in government buildings and have a favorable impact on public finances and Quebec’s environmental record.
This results-based approach is at the heart of several achievements in Quebec. For example, the Olympic Park has chosen to implement a project at its stadium that has enabled it to reduce its environmental footprint, considerably reduce its operating costs and renew several obsolete equipment. Ultimately, based on the 2012 reference year, this approach made it possible to reduce its energy bill by 38% and reduce its GHG emissions by 82%, i.e. the equivalent of removing 1,800 cars from the circulation. Similar results at the Center hospitalier de l’Université Laval (CHUL), which was able to reduce its energy bill by $ 2 million per year thanks to a project based on guaranteed results. Other projects have also been successfully completed with this type of contract in Canada and the United States.
PHOTO PATRICE LAROCHE, THE SUN
The Center hospitalier de l’Université Laval (CHUL) has been able to reduce its energy bill by $ 2 million per year, writes the author.
Convergent objectives
For 30 years, I have seen that the best projects are achieved when all the interests of the parties involved converge towards the same objectives. This promotes innovation in solutions and sustainable results. This is not the case with the structure of public contracts usually employed. In my opinion, it favors costs that are too high for the quality and durability of the works, because professionals and contractors are generally paid as a percentage of the value of the work. But if public contract managers prescribed performance targets, the entire industry would be on line and engaged to review its practices.
The environmental crisis demands that we review our behavior and the way we develop our society. It is essential that the Quebec government review the process for awarding its contracts to put the energy transition at the heart of its contractual objectives and achieve its GHG reduction objectives.
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