Zero30

Launched in 2023, Zero30 is Saint John Energy’s ambitious plan to create a roadmap to net-zero emissions by 2030. This award-winning municipally owned utility is drawing up a roadmap that blends local renewable generation, battery storage, and smart grid innovation to cut greenhouse gas emissions—while keeping rates among the lowest in Atlantic Canada. Engaging with stakeholders and Indigenous partners, Zero30 addresses rising demand, grid modernization, corporate emissions, and customer decarbonization. Results include 440 kt of forecasted GHG reductions and a clear path to clean, reliable and affordable electricity for Saint John. The replicable Zero30 roadmap calls out “Road trip!” to the rest of the country.

Saint John Energy launched Zero30 to respond to the urgent need for climate action, the national mandate at the time for net-zero electricity by 2035, and the City of Saint John’s own net-zero goals under its ActSJ plan. The utility set its sights even higher, aiming to discover how they could reach net-zero emissions by 2030 and help their customers get there too. Key objectives include identifying the optimal clean energy mix, modernizing the local grid, reducing emissions, and maintaining affordability and reliability. Zero30 is part of Saint John Energy’s vision to be a national utility leader in the transition to net zero.

Following a research phase, SJE structured the Zero30 plan into eight core initiatives, covering everything from clean energy planning to corporate emissions, engagement with Indigenous communities and the wider public, as well as data infrastructure.

Implementation milestones include the completion of the GHG inventory and corporate reduction plan and development of residential decarbonization programs. These included e-bike financing, EV charging, and heat pump rentals.

A data warehouse with digital twin capabilities was deployed, grid modernization simulations were undertaken and accompanying pilot programs were conducted. Prior clean energy investments, such as the Burchill Wind Farm and Tesla battery storage, were implemented into forward planning.

Each initiative is tracked with an action plan extending to 2030. Forecasting future energy needs amid rapid electrification and uncertain provincial grid emissions is tricky. To help them see and plan for the future, SJE invested in advanced modelling tools and built a digital twin of its grid. A project as ambitious as this one doesn’t get up to full speed without hitting a few bumps and, indeed initially all the data systems weren’t aligned, but this was resolved.

Ensuring customer affordability while funding renewables is key to a successful energy transition. Through strategic partnerships, cost-sharing and exploring an optimized hybrid energy strategy SJE is helping to ensure that no one gets stuck in gridlock on the road to net-zero.

Engaging diverse stakeholders, including Indigenous communities, required new capacity-building efforts. SJE undertook proactive outreach and focussed on inclusion throughout the procurement processes. Local Indigenous communities participated in events, consultations, and procurement opportunities.

Other consultants included Deloitte, who supported SJE with technical modelling, analysis, and roadmap planning. Sustainability Solutions Group, conducted GHG inventory and emissions reduction planning and Awesense provided the digital twin and grid data platform.

The support of customer platform transition and flexibility services was provided by Kraken Technologies and of course the City of Saint John was there the whole time, providing strategic alignment through ActSJ and net-zero objectives.

The Zero30 final roadmap combines grid digitalization, advanced modelling, customer programs, and renewable integration into one coherent plan—a first among small Canadian utilities. This initiative is forecast to reduce 440 kilotonnes of CO₂e emissions while enabling Saint John to meet up to 1,723 GWh of growing energy demand by 2030. The Zero30 final roadmap, which will be released later this year, will outline scenarios and the actions required to meet both.

Importantly, the roadmap is not a report destined to stay folded up in St. John Energy’s glove compartment. It’s a dynamic model that can account for shifts and changes in the coming years and it will help guide Saint John Energy to its net-zero goals.

With open community engagement, transparent planning, and scalable tools, the Zero30 is designed to inspire—and steer—other utilities on their own net-zero journeys. While the plan supports 440 kt of GHG reductions, maintains low customer rates, and positions Saint John as a national leader in clean, community energy they don’t want to do it alone. The Zero30 roadmap is a document that calls out “Road trip!” to the rest of the country, and who can say no to that?