Canada: Ontario greenhouse growers welcome CHP program

Jan VanderHout, a greenhouse vegetable producer and Chair of The Ontario Greenhouse Alliance (TOGA), a $1.4 billion annual economic engine in rural Ontario, welcomed the provincial government's announcement of a new combined heat and power (CHP) program targeting greenhouse operations, agrifood and district energy. The commitment was made in the Ministry of Energy’s Long Term Energy Plan released on Monday, December 2nd.

The TOGA Chair said, “This announcement is a positive step forward for
Ontario's economy and environment by contributing to the recovery of carbon
dioxide and heat, both co-products from the generation of electricity from
natural gas, and directing them into beneficial uses in greenhouse operations.”
“Greenhouses recover the carbon dioxide released when natural gas is burned
and provide it to the plants in order to promote their growth.” As a result,
VanderHout explained, “Greenhouse CHP is among the most efficient and
cleanest applications of natural gas combustion in the world.”

VanderHout said TOGA looks forward to working with the government on CHP
and a number of other energy and conservation initiatives that will contribute to
a healthier economy and environment and continue Ontario’s leadership in
greenhouse agriculture.