ALGONQUIN COLLEGE
Algonquin College Pembroke Campus Earns ENERGY STAR® Certification - First College in Canada to Receive Recognition

Algonquin College's Pembroke Campus has earned ENERGY STAR® certification from Natural Resources Canada, becoming the first college in Canada to receive this respected designation for superior energy performance.

Graham Timperon, Building Performance Analyst (left), Brendan Murray, Manager, Facilities and Operations, Pembroke Campus and Mohamed Zeid, Senior Project Manager (right), part of the team behind the certification, show off the plaque from Natural Resources Canada that will be displayed in Pembroke.

The certification recognizes buildings that meet strict energy efficiency standards and perform in the top 25 percent of similar facilities nationwide. This milestone underscores the Pembroke Campus's commitment to sustainability, operational efficiency, and environmental leadership.

"I am pleased to congratulate Algonquin College's Pembroke Campus for successfully earning ENERGY STAR certification and becoming the first college in Canada to achieve this distinction," said the Honourable Tim Hodgson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources. "This reflects strong leadership in energy efficiency and demonstrates how post-secondary institutions can reduce emissions, lower operating costs, and create more sustainable learning environments."

The recognition reflects Algonquin College's broader commitment to sustainability through its Sustainable Algonquin initiative, guided by a social, economic, and environmental framework. The Pembroke Campus, originally constructed in 2012 and designed to LEED® Silver standards, incorporates energy-efficient systems, sustainable materials, and high-performance building design.

"Achieving ENERGY STAR certification reflects a focused and sustained effort to optimize building performance," said Ryan Southwood, Executive Director, Facilities Management at Algonquin College. "Through targeted investments, detailed analysis, and ongoing system improvements, our teams have enhanced energy efficiency while creating a more comfortable and sustainable environment for our learners and employees."

To achieve ENERGY STAR certification, the College undertook a comprehensive approach to energy management. Key improvements included a full LED lighting retrofit, reducing electricity use and maintenance requirements, followed by an Existing Building Commissioning (EBCx) initiative.

"Earning this certification is a point of pride for our entire campus community," said Angela Rintoul, Dean of the Pembroke Campus. "It reflects the collective efforts of our teams to create a campus that not only supports learning but also demonstrates leadership in environmental responsibility for our region and beyond."

 "Algonquin College's achievement sets a strong example for post-secondary institutions across the country, highlighting how campuses can contribute meaningfully to Canada's climate and energy objectives", said Sophie Tee, Director of the Buildings Division, Office of Energy Efficiency at Natural Resources Canada. "We look forward to our continued collaboration in advancing energy-efficient solutions nationwide."