Advancing our 8-point strategy

1

Achieve net-zero operations by 2030

We’re committed to achieving net-zero operations by 2030 and becoming the first municipally-owned utility in Canada to reach this critical milestone. From electrifying our fleet to breaking ground on our first low-carbon substation, we made steady progress in 2024.

  • Broke ground on the Piperville Municipal Transformer Station, our first low-carbon substation being developed with sustainable design and construction techniques.
  • Procured additional hybrid and electric vehicles (EVs) for our corporate fleet, bringing total fleet electrification to 15 per cent, and installed 15 EV chargers at our work centers.
  • Prepared comprehensive carbon reduction studies for our main facilities, providing insights into how we can further reduce our Scope 1 emissions.
  • Paid $87.5 million for goods and services from suppliers within a 100 km radius of the National Capital Region.
  • Diverted 90 per cent of non-hazardous waste from landfill.

2

Become the partner of first choice for signature green energy and carbon reduction projects in our community

Wherever there’s an opportunity in our community to transform how we use energy, Hydro Ottawa Group wants to be there to help bring the possibilities to life. In 2024, we moved the needle on numerous local projects featuring cutting-edge sustainability solutions.

  • Completed the first phase of EV charging infrastructure installation for the City of Ottawa’s Zero-Emission Bus project and initiated environmental assessment and public consultation for the new substation that will provide dedicated capacity for the municipal electric bus fleet.
  • Advanced the planning and design for the energy efficient central utility plant for The Ottawa Hospital’s new Civic campus and a wastewater heat recovery pilot project for a major residential development in downtown Ottawa.
  • Helped key partners like the Ottawa International Airport Authority, Ottawa Community Housing and school boards in Renfrew County to reduce their energy consumption and carbon emissions, through collaboration on net-zero and green energy opportunities.

3

Accelerate digital transformation to enable sustainable business practices

We’re always looking for ways to enhance customer value and become more efficient by harnessing digital solutions. Last year we expanded our digital toolkit to improve outage communications, strengthened our cybersecurity and control systems, and piloted innovative energy solutions.

  • Upgraded our Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system for monitoring and controlling the grid, which will serve as the foundation for all of our future grid modernization activity.
  • Strengthened cybersecurity protections for critical information and operational technology systems.
  • Introduced two-way outage communications, enabling customers to report outages and register for outage alerts via text message.
  • Enrolled the first segment of customer participants in a pilot project to optimize EV charging through AI in partnership with BluWave-ai, a local clean tech innovator.

4

Leverage and promote distributed energy resources

From rooftop solar panels to battery storage, distributed energy resources (DERs) are driving the energy transition, and delivering benefits for customers and the grid at large. In 2024 we continued to support customer adoption of DERs and enable electricity conservation projects in our community.

  • Launched the Ottawa Retrofit Accelerator program, aimed at helping building owners reduce their emissions and lower energy costs through deep energy retrofits.
  • Rolled-out a new electricity conservation program with incentives for businesses to install rooftop solar.
  • Co-founded the Total Grid Orchestration Alliance, a new industry collaboration forum focused on grid modernization and energy transition opportunities.
  • Supported a 70 per cent year-over-year increase in the number of residential customers generating their own electricity using rooftop solar panels.
  • Maintained our status as the leading enabler of EV charging infrastructure in the National Capital Region through the installation of more than 440 charging stations across our community.1

These EV chargers were either installed by our energy services affiliate, Envari, or received funding through Hydro Ottawa Limited’s delivery of Natural Resources Canada’s Zero-Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program funds.

5

Continue to grow and diversify our revenue sources

2024 marked a year of strong financial performance results, with core business lines achieving favorable topline metrics across the board. These financial achievements were a result of strategic investments, financial restructuring, and capitalizing on growth opportunities.

  • Achieved consolidated revenue of $389 million.
  • Generated $42.1 million in net income.
  • Completed restructuring of the corporation, resulting in improved credit ratings and increased financial capacity.
  • Received an initial award notification for a long-term contract for Renewable Energy Certificates from a highly competitive procurement in the U.S.

6

Grow our social license to operate

As a committed community partner, Hydro Ottawa Group embraces the responsibility to maintain credibility with our customers and stakeholders. Over the past year, we sought to build greater trust through a range of community engagement and support initiatives.

  • Raised $151,000 for The Royal Ottawa Prompt Care Clinic and $142,000 for the United Way through our annual employee charitable fundraising activities.
  • Contributed $76,000 through our Community Investment Program to local organizations supporting vulnerable groups and seeking to build stronger and healthier communities.
  • Dispersed $272,000 through the Low-Income Energy Assistance program to support customers in need.
  • Engaged and educated customers through numerous channels and platforms on preparing for the energy transition; a centrepiece of the campaign was an interactive eco home display at the Ottawa Airport, showcasing sustainable technologies for reducing emissions and conserving energy.
  • Served as a founding partner in CommuniFi, a pilot project offering free community Wi-Fi for Ottawa Community Housing tenants.
  • Maintained leadership in gender diversity at the board level, with women comprising 50 per cent of our Board Directors in 2024.

7

Ensure organizational capacity, culture and
leadership to deliver in a post-pandemic environment

In order to deliver the highest quality services to our customers and remain a top employer, we strive to foster a safe, healthy work environment and a skilled, diverse workforce. In 2024, we maintained safety as our top priority and continued to invest in our people.

  • Provided an average of 26 hours of safe work practices training for all employees and 77 hours for trades employees.
  • Retained best-in-class certifications for our Occupational Health, Safety, and Environment Management System to international standards.
  • Launched a dedicated campaign focused on safety excellence and awareness for employees.
  • Continued to renew our workforce through apprentice and journeyperson hiring, and talent management programs.
  • Supported the consolidation of bargaining units within our renewable generation business and ratified a new collective agreement.

8

Continue to provide best-in-class customer service

Putting the customer at the centre of everything we do is the essence of our business strategy. In line with this posture, we took steps in 2024 to enhance customer choice and convenience and make critical investments in grid reliability.

  • Maintained best-in-class reliability performance and achieved our best-ever outage frequency results.
  • Invested $89.1 million to keep our distribution system safe and reliable.
  • Connected over 6,000 new customers to the grid.
  • Achieved 92 per cent customer satisfaction rating.
  • Redesigned our online customer portal, offering new features to improve the user experience.