Category: Press Release

August 5, 2020

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

OSHAWA – Oshawa hydro customers receive a new upgrade to their online customer account portal. On July 29, 2020 Oshawa Power launched their new interface MyOshawaPower. The new portal is intuitive, easy to use and provides customers a host of new data that was not available in the previous portal.

MyOshawaPower, powered by Silverblaze, allows customers to compare their usage against the weather, the previous month, the previous year and their neighbourhood.  Customers have more control over the administration of their accounts with the ability to grant permission to others to access their account and they can set usage threshold and power outage alerts that can be delivered by email, text or phone.

“We are committed to improving our customers’ experience. With the launch of this new tool, we are providing our customers with useful information not previously available.  Through this self service portal, customers can access their account and usage information easily and at their own convenience. Being new to Oshawa Power I am very excited to be a part of this evolution in our customer service capabilities,” states Susanna Beckstead, Vice President, Finance, Corporate and Business Services.

“Upgrading our portal was long overdue. MyOshawaPower advances the services we provide and enhances our future relationships with our customers,” says Ivano Labricciosa, President and CEO, Oshawa Power. “We’re proud that we have the ability to improve services and maintain low rates. Migrating to the new portal helps move our customer service to the next level. Customers don’t want to have to call in every time they have a question, they want to be able to have the answer available and easy to find whenever they need it, and this new portal does that,” continues Labricciosa.

“We are really excited to see OPUC launch their new Customer Service Portal! It has been a pleasure working with their talented team to deliver a great tool for their customer community”, commented the Silverblaze team.

To log in or register for MyOshawaPower you can visit myaccount.opuc.on.ca. The portal is available 24 hours a day.

PDF – Utility launches MyOshawaPower customer information portal

About Oshawa Power:

Oshawa Power and award-winning electrical utility that has more than 130 years’ experience of delivering services and bringing Oshawa forward through innovation and technology. Oshawa Power prides themselves on delivering ratepayers safe, reliable service to over 60,000 customers at the lowest rates in Durham Region.

About Silverblaze:

SilverBlaze is an award-winning software innovation, development, and consulting firm. Founded in 1999, SilverBlaze offers comprehensive software solutions for utilities – the SilverBlaze Customer Portal, and SilverBlaze Smart Forms and Workflows.

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Media Contact

Sheila Risorto

Marketing and Communications

905-439-1930

srisorto@opuc.on.ca

Oshawa Power working with customers as the moratorium ends

The Province of Ontario’s current moratorium on disconnections for non-payment is scheduled to end July, 31, 2020. In light of the government extension ending in July Oshawa Power is being proactive and working with customers to help ease the burden.  Oshawa Power is offering assistance to their customers to help them navigate through this next transition.

If you have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and are having difficulty paying your bill there is help available for you. There are programs designed to help for both short term and long term needs; please visit www.oshawapower.ca/need-help-paying-electricity-bill to see what program best suits your situation. Oshawa Power is working with customers and offering payment extensions to assist customers during this time. You can request a payment extension here and a customer service representative will contact you.

“Disconnecting an account for non-payment is a last resort, it is an option that we would prefer not to use. It is far more productive and less costly to work with our customers to find assistance or arrangements that work for them,” says Ivano Labricciosa, President and CEO, Oshawa Power.

“We are here to assist our customers and we want to remove the unnecessary stress of having to worry about how they are going to pay their bill. I encourage anybody who has fallen behind or struggling to make payments to reach out to our team. We will find a solution. By working together, we can make paying your Hydro bill one less thing to worry about,” continues Labricciosa.

Oshawa Power would like customers who require financial assistance, arrangements or advice on their hydro accounts to contact the Customer Service department through email at contactus@opuc.on.ca or use their online form at www.oshawapower.ca/contact-us. Together with the customer, Oshawa Power will review the account and help develop a workable plan that best meets their situation. Oshawa Power is encouraging customers to contact them to start the dialogue on finding the solution that works.

The current rate of 12.8¢/kWh, 24 hours/day has been set until October 31, 2020. Beginning November 1, 2020 customers will have the choice between the current Time-of-Use plan and the regulated tiered pricing plan. More details will come about those options as the date draws nearer.

Still have questions? Visit our frequently asked questions regarding COVID-19.

Oshawa, ON – Recently Oshawa Power, Hydro One Telecom and Cisco Systems collaborated to help the Back Door Mission, located on Bagot Street, Oshawa, with acquiring wireless internet service to support the recently launched the Mission United Project.

Mission United is a multi-agency project created in partnership with CMHA, Durham Mental Health Services, Lakeridge Health, the Region of Durham, and others working in the Back Door Mission space to support increased operations during the COVID-19 Pandemic, including the ability to set up video conferencing with health and social work practitioners from the mission location. These added services will assist the City’s most vulnerable population get the support they need safely.

Oshawa Power has a robust fibre network in the downtown core of Oshawa. In discussions with the Mission’s Board President Derek Giberson, who explained the Mission’s needs, the team started to brainstorm some ideas of how to get internet service to the Mission.  Oshawa Power built a wireless building bridge to connect the Back Door Mission building to internet services from Oshawa Power’s location across the street. In partnership with Hydro One Telecom, who also donated their time and services to this initiative and in conjunction with Cisco Systems’ donation of equipment, the Back Door Mission received wireless internet service on May 6, 2020.

Quote:

“We are so proud of our team for creating this unique solution and for working with Hydro One Telecom and Cisco Systems to get internet service to a facility that needs it so desperately during this pandemic. The services provided by the Back Door Mission are so essential to our community and I’m glad we were able to enable them to continue their great work,” says Ivano Labricciosa, President and CEO, Oshawa Power.

About Oshawa Power:

Oshawa Power is a regulated utility that supplies safe, reliable, and efficient electricity distribution to over 60,000 customers in the city of Oshawa. Oshawa Power is part of the Oshawa Power and Utilities Corporation family of companies that also provides telecommunications, renewable energy solutions and energy generation projects.

About The Back Door Mission:

The Back Door Mission works to relieve the burdens of poverty and social dislocation within the economically deprived and street population of Oshawa. We provide clothing, lunch, groceries, on-site counseling, medical, and harm reduction support.

About Hydro One Telecom:

Hydro One Telecom delivers high-capacity telecommunications solutions to enterprises, wholesalers and public sector agencies via an expansive fibre-optic network across Ontario and extending into the United States. Hydro One Telecom provides high-speed data networking services for Network-to-Network, Cloud-to-Cloud, Network-to-Cloud and Data Centre-to-Data Centre business requirements and is a wholly owned subsidiary of 2486267 Ontario Inc., which is wholly owned by Hydro One Limited.

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Media Contact:

Sheila Risorto

Marketing and Communications Analyst

Oshawa Power

905-439-1930

srisorto@opuc.on.ca

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 27, 2020

OSHAWA POWER LAUNCHES NEW STRATEGIC ENERGY BRAND

OSHAWA, Ontario – Oshawa Power and Utilities Corporation (OPUC) is proud to announce the evolution of its non-regulated energy division. As of April 27th, 2020 Oshawa PUC Energy Services (OPUCES) will go by the streamlined name EnerFORGE, EnerFORGE’s mission is strong and clear — to help customers forge a sustainable energy future. The brand infers bold new directions that may not be aligned with the energy status quo, but always lead to improved outcomes for clients. Visually, the logo includes cues that embrace the company’s history as an Oshawa utility affiliate and also reference the team’s acumen in a spectrum of energy technologies. Overall, the look-and-feel will propel the group beyond pre-conceived notions of what OPUCES could do.

In terms of its mandate, EnerFORGE will build on the strong foundational base of 21 projects across nearly 90 sites in the GTHA that were built under the OPUCES brand. This will be done through custom design, build, own, operate and/or finance solutions for low carbon energy initiatives across Canada.

When asked about the re-brand, OPUC’s President and CEO, Ivano Labricciosa noted that “The evolved strategic direction of this division plays an instrumental role in strengthening our market position while also building steady returns for our shareholder”. He also noted that “the old brand left customers confused about our offering and our geographic reach, meaning that our capabilities had outgrown our namesake”.

Scott Barker, VP of Business Development and functional leader for the EnerFORGE division was asked about the timing for this launch. “The team considered delaying the announcement to be sensitive to the challenges everyone is facing during these unprecedented times. As the COVID-19 situation evolved, we’ve witnessed strongly emerging themes of collaboration and innovation, which perfectly align with our new brand. We’ve also seen upticks in our business, as clients require more out of our essential services than ever before. Given this, we’ve decided to launch and modestly celebrate this exciting step with a locally-produced COVID-19 relief package donation to frontline workers at Lakeridge Health Oshawa.”

To achieve its socially-distanced digital launch, EnerFORGE will be posting new content to LinkedIn each day next week and looks forward to celebrating in person with stakeholders someday soon.

About EnerFORGE

EnerFORGE is a leading enabler of critical energy and communications infrastructure. Our mission is to help customers forge their sustainable energy future through flexible, affordable, and innovative approaches. Our available services span the design, build, finance, own, operate and maintain spectrum. EnerFORGE is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Oshawa Power and Utilities Corporation.

About Oshawa Power and Utilities Corporation

Oshawa Power and Utilities Corporation (OPUC) is a diversified holding company owned by the municipal corporation of the City of Oshawa. With a 130+ year history in Oshawa, OPUC has four divisions, all of which own and operate critical and converging energy and communications infrastructure.

CONTACTS

Janet Taylor
Manager – Sustainability and Business Advocacy, Oshawa Power
100 Simcoe St. S., Oshawa, ON L1H 7M7
(905) 244-6364
JTaylor@opuc.on.ca

Sheila Risorto
Marketing and Communications, Oshawa Power
100 Simcoe St. S., Oshawa, ON L1H 7M7
(905) 439-1930
srisorto@opuc.on.ca

Supporting Customers

OSHAWA, ON – As the COVID-19 pandemic continues we all are adjusting to the new norm. The virus has affected every person and business in some way. At a time when we are learning to cope we are also, coming together as a community.

With more and more people, working from home and students conducting home study, Oshawa Power recognizes it is more important than ever to keep the lights on. With many households and businesses experiencing income reductions steps have been put in place to assist account holders.

  • The Province of Ontario has adjusted the Time of Use Rates to the lowest rate available, 10.1¢/kWh 24 hours a day until May 7, 2020.
  • Oshawa Power is not disconnecting any residential or small commercial customers for non-payment until further notice.
  • Policies have been adjusted to allow for payment flexibility and payment extensions where needed.
  • A new payment arrangement form was added to the website, allowing customers to request an extension or advise when they can make a payment, from the comfort and safety of their homes. This form can be found at: https://www.oshawapower.ca/extension-request/

“Supporting our customers, both residential and commercial, is of paramount importance during the pandemic. We will do whatever we can to help our customers achieve successful outcomes, which in turns supports our Oshawa economy. Oshawa needs their local businesses in operation when this is all over”. says Ivano Labricciosa, President and CEO, Oshawa Power.

Your Safety is Their Priority

Oshawa Power continues to operate at full capacity, ensuring the reliability and continuity of Oshawa’s electricity supply. The electrical industry is one that already has extensive safety procedures in place and Oshawa Power is recognized as a top safety performer. Oshawa Power has adjusted normal practices to protect our workers and the community from COVID-19. Some of the measures put in place include:

  • Physical Barriers – Social distancing (moving workstations, holding virtual meetings)
  • Personal Protective Equipment – providing sanitizing wipes, gloves, and hand sanitizer to employees
  • Proper Procedures – Extra cleaning and sanitizing; limiting outside guests coming into our building; self screening stations; and asking the public not to approach our field crews or trucks

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, Oshawa Power has had no reported cases of COVID-19 in the workplace. They will continue to remain vigilant and keep barriers in place that keep staff and the public safe. Public safety and employee safety are always their top priority.

Connected to the Community

Oshawa Power employees are committed to looking after the Oshawa community amidst the current circumstances.

  • Supporting the City of Oshawa’s project to increase security in the downtown via telecom solutions
  • Supporting Lakeridge Health in efforts to set up a mobile testing site
  • Providing telecom solution support to the Back Door Mission
  • Participating in the City’s Telephone Townhall for local small businesses
  • Being a member of the Mayor’s Economic Recovery Task Force for the City of Oshawa
  • Supporting All or Nothing Brewery in their efforts to convert production to hand sanitizer for the frontline workers.
  • Member of the Downtown Oshawa BIA – Business Improvement Association
  • Member of the Oshawa Chamber of Commerce

Using their supply chain process Oshawa Power provided N95 masks and PPE for community partners such as:

  • Carea Health Centre
  • Community Living Oshawa Clarington
  • Lakeridge Health Oshawa
  • Carriage House Retirement Residence
  • Hillsdale Estates Long Term Care Residence
  • Hillsdale Terrace Long Term Care Residence
  • Extendicare Long Term Care Residence
  • Chartwell Wynfield Long Term Care Residence
  • Revera Thorntonview Long Term Care Residence
  • Cornerstone
  • First Light Foundation of Hope
  • Denise House
  • YWCA Durham
  • Back Door Mission

Advocating for Customers

In the industry, Oshawa Power has been actively involved in influencing policies to bring as much relief to our customers as possible. Oshawa Power is currently advocating for the extension of the COVID-19 Rate Relief Program beyond May 7, 2020 through involvement with industry organizations such as:  the Electricity Distributors Association, Ontario Energy Board information sessions and workshops and committee participation with the Independent Electricity System Operator.

As we navigate through these uncertain times, Oshawa Power will be there to keep the power flowing. As the Oshawa community comes together to support each other, be assured that Oshawa Power will be there to support Oshawa residents, businesses, frontline workers, and their employees to get through this pandemic.

Janet Taylor loading donation boxes in car

Oshawa Power pitches in and donates 1,000 N95 face masks to local health care frontline workers…

Oshawa, ON – Oshawa Power has donated N95 respirator masks to Lakeridge Health Oshawa and CAREA to assist in PPE shortage caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Recognizing the PPE shortages faced by the local health care community, to the point of desperation, we realized we had to help in any way we could. This donation will help our frontline workers carry on operations giving them a little comfort, knowing they are protected. We will continue to support our community in any way that we can,” said Ivano Labricciosa, President and CEO, Oshawa Power.

Oshawa Power continues to operate at full capacity to ensure reliability and continuity of Oshawa’s electricity supply. With more and more people working from home, and students conducting home study Oshawa Power recognizes it is more important than ever to keep the lights on.

To learn more about Oshawa Power and the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, please visit opuc.on.ca.

About Oshawa Power

Oshawa Power is a regulated electricity utility serving over 60,000 customers in Oshawa for over 130 years. Oshawa Power is part of the Oshawa Power and Utilities Corporation family of companies.

Oshawa Power

Electricity Utility

OP EnergyServices

January 23, 2020

Oshawa Power and Utilities Corporation Energy Services (O.P.U.C.E.S.) and the City of Oshawa announced today that Delpark Homes Centre will be the future site of a combined heat and power plant.

As part of the Council-approved initiative, a 600 kW combined heat and power system will be installed at Delpark Homes Centre. Anticipated to be operational by end of 2020, the system will be owned, operated and maintained by O.P.U.C.E.S.

The combined heat and power plant will be fueled by natural gas and will generate electricity and useful heat simultaneously. The new system will help the City realize energy efficiencies, save heating and cooling costs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It will also help the recreation facility generate its own back up heat and electricity during a power outage.

This project is aligned with Oshawa’s ongoing energy efficiency initiatives, outlined in the City’s Corporate Facilities Energy Management Plan.

The system will reduce Delpark Home Centre’s draw on the grid by approximately 3,700 MWh each year. Over the lifetime of the project, it will take the equivalent of approximately 4,000 Canadian homes off-grid.

O.P.U.C.E.S. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Oshawa Power and Utilities Corporation. O.P.U.C.E.S. partners with proven solution providers to deliver tailored energy solutions and meet the needs of each individual customer, including low carbon distributed generation technologies such as CHP, wind, solar, and biogas. For more information, visit www.oshawapower.ca.

Quotes:

“Oshawa P.U.C. Energy Services is proud to be investing in our community. Our goal is to create tangible savings for our municipal shareholder and improved amenities for our customers within Canada’s evolving energy landscape,” said Ivano Labricciosa, President and CEO of Oshawa P.U.C. Energy Services.

“By investing in a combined heat and power plant that will help provide backup electricity at Delpark Homes Centre that is both clean, cost-effective and good for the environment, O.P.U.C.E.S. is helping strengthen our community resilience,” said Mayor Dan Carter. “This is another innovative approach from the City’s energy partner aimed at reducing demand on our electricity system that will result in bottom line savings for many years to come.”

“A combined heat and power plant at Delpark Homes Centre is one more example of how we are working proactively with O.P.U.C.E.S. to achieve the City of Oshawa’s goals of conserving energy, reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, and managing the demand for energy at our facilities,” said Councillor Bradley Marks, Chair of the Corporate Services Committee.

“With the help of O.P.U.C.E.S. and the launch of a new combined heat and power plant in Oshawa, the City continues to make strides that demonstrate our commitment to the environment and energy conservation,” said Councillor Jane Hurst, Vice-Chair of the Corporate Services Committee.                                                 

Delpark Group Photo

Members of Council and Oshawa P.U.C. Energy Services join together to announce Delpark Homes Centre as the future site of a combined heat and power plant.

Labricciosa Chapman Handshake

Photo courtesy of Global News

Watch Global News by Brittany Rosen report here

 

 

OSHAWA-Support for the local community is part of Oshawa Power’s core values and commitment to the way they do business. Oshawa Power dedicates time and resources to help the community where they need it most.

Oshawa Power believes investing time in their community, will also help strengthen it; evident by the many charitable initiatives they embrace through out the year. Oshawa Power employees volunteer their time fundraising and sitting on a variety of boards, community agencies and neighbourhood groups.

“Oshawa Power is dedicated to this community. We do not simply write cheques. Employees and managers alike roll up their sleeves and become involved because we care about the community where we live and work,” says President and CEO Ivano Labricciosa.

Recently Oshawa Power challenged their customers to participate in a charitable opportunity with them. The ask was for customers to help Oshawa Power in their support for three local charities:

Durham Outlook for the Needy – a volunteer run organization consisting of a soup kitchen (St. Vincent’s Kitchen) and food bank.

Simcoe Hall Settlement House – started in 1935 dedicated to helping improve the lives of less advantaged children, families and vulnerable adults.

YWCA Durham – for over 70 years the YWCA has provided emergency shelter, longer-term housing, counselling, and resources for women and children experiencing domestic violence.

Oshawa Power had an amazing response from their customers and would like to thank everyone who took the time to participate and helped them help the Oshawa community.

Durham Outlook Donation Durham Outlook Donation 2 SHSH Donation SHSH Donation 2 YWCA Donation YWCA Donation 2

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 12, 2019

PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP TO YIELD SIGNIFICANT GHG REDUCTIONS FROM ORGANIC WASTE DIVERSION IN GTA EAST

TORONTO, Ontario – Senior officials are gathering to celebrate a newly inked strategic partnership that will make significant Greenhouse Gas (GHG) reductions a reality at the Toronto Zoo. ZooShare, a renewable energy cooperative with over 600 members and Oshawa PUC Energy Services (OPUCES), a municipally-owned sustainable energy corporation have joined forces to complete the final milestone of the Toronto Zoo Biogas Project. This unique collaboration also includes the federal government’s Low Carbon Economy Fund, which will contribute $2.7 million over this phase and a planned expansion of the facility.

The contributions of ZooShare, OPUCES, the Toronto Zoo and the federal government will yield GHG reductions of about 20,000 tonnes of CO2e/ year and offset the equivalent of 1/3 of the Zoo’s electricity demand. “This first-of-its-kind project is symbolic of Canada’s newly emerging green economy, where structurally different organizations interplay in unique ways to generate sustainable bottom lines for all involved” says Ivano Labricciosa, President and CEO at OPUCES. “Our team is proud to bring our expertise in low carbon, distributed energy forward to enable this remarkable initiative”.

This project also shows what is possible when waste is reframed as a valuable resource containing energy and nutrients that can be used to grow more food and continue the cycle. It is a prime example of the circular economy in action. “ZooShare is extremely pleased to have OPUCES as a partner,” says Daniel Bida, Executive Director of ZooShare. “This investment will enable the project to reach commercial operations next year and OPUCES’ expertise will enable it to outperform expectations in the years to come.”

“The Toronto Zoo is committed to energy efficient operations, environmental sustainability, and renewable energy initiatives. From our perspective, the biogas facility is a fine example of community partnerships in action to develop renewable energy,” says Dolf DeJong, Chief Executive Officer, Toronto Zoo. “We are excited that ZooShare has secured a strong project and operational partner in Oshawa PUC Energy Services, effectively making the ZooShare vision a reality.”

OPUCES_Zooshare_Toronto Zoo_Press Release 

OPUCES Zooshare Media Advisory and Backgrounder

OPUCES_Zooshare_Toronto Zoo_Media Event Agenda

About ZooShare

ZooShare Biogas Co-operative Inc. is a non-profit renewable energy co-operative with 692 members across Ontario. Its mandate is to partner to develop an innovative zoo-based biogas plant that transforms zoo manure and local food waste into renewable power for the Ontario grid, and a nutrient-rich agricultural fertilizer.

About Oshawa PUC Energy Services

Oshawa PUC Energy Services Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Oshawa Power and Utilities Corporation. OPUCES partners with proven solution providers to deliver tailored energy solutions and meet the needs of each individual customer, including low carbon distributed generation technologies such as CHP, wind, solar, and biogas. Oshawa PUC Energy Services’ portfolio is expected to have more than 30 projects in operation across the GTHA by the end of 2020.

About the Toronto Zoo

The Toronto Zoo is Canada’s premier zoo and a national leader in saving wildlife to ensure the rich diversity of nature for future generations. More than a tourist attraction, the Toronto Zoo boasts a number of leading programs for helping wildlife and their natural habitats – from species reintroduction to reproductive research. A world-class educational centre for people of all ages, the Toronto Zoo is open every day except December 25 and attracts approximately 1.3 million visitors each year. Toronto Zoo is accredited by CAZA (Canada’s Accredited Zoos and Aquariums) and AZA (Association of Zoos and Aquariums). Look for these logos whenever you visit a Canadian zoo as your assurance that you are supporting a facility dedicated to providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for you, and a better future for all living things. For more information, visit caza.ca and aza.org.

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Contacts

Daniel Bida
Executive Director
240-401 Richmond St. W., Toronto, ON, M5V 2A8
647-704-6078
daniel@zooshare.ca

Janet Taylor
Manager, Sustainability and Business Advocacy
100 Simcoe St. S., Oshawa, ON L1H 7M7
905-723-4626 ext 5249
JTaylor@opuc.on.ca

Katie Gray
Strategic Communications Manager
361A Old Finch Avenue, Scarborough, ON M1B 5K7
416-392-5941
kgray@torontozoo.ca

There is an aggressive fraudulent company impersonating Oshawa Power calling our customers and demanding  payment in cash and requesting people to meet them in obscure areas.

Customers are also receiving emails with our name, phone # and a link to pay – this is not us.

They have duplicated our IVR phone message and their call display displays Oshawa Power.

Oshawa Power will not ever ask you to meet them at a variety store or anything of the like and we do NOT have self service kiosks to make payments. Oshawa Power also does not have a toll free number.

Their contact phone number is 1-800-799-0318. Today they have requested our customers to meet them at 282 Marland AVE and the Midtown Mall to make payment.

Do not engage with these people and call Durham Regional Police at 905-579-1520.