Paul Holt
P.Eng., CEng MIET, CEM
Corix | Vice President Engineering & Operations
Speaker
Track C: Decarbonization and Electrification
Session C2: Successfully Scaling-Up Decarbonization
September 18, 2025 | 9:30 am - 10:00 am
Achieving 85% CO2 Reduction for Simon Fraser University
In 2012 Corix started the construction of the Burnaby Mountain District Energy Utility for the supply of district energy to the ‘UniverCity’ residential community on Burnaby Mountain, Burnaby BC. Initially using temporary energy plants.
In 2018 working with the residential community and Simon Fraser University (SFU), Corix then developed a low carbon energy solution for both customers groups. Over the next two years Corix connected both SFU and UniverCity to a newly constructed 13.5MW biomass plant.
Since going live 2020 CO2 emissions achieved the designed 80% CO2 reduction. Over the last few years plants optimizations and increased operating efficiency have now reduced annual CO2 emissions to >85% consistently.
Speaker Bio
Paul is the VP Engineering & Operations at Corix, a district energy utility.
Paul is currently working on the design and construction of a Sewer Heat Recovery plant for the City of Richmond. Paul sits on the Oakridge Energy Operations Oversight Committee. Oakridge Energy is home to a Geoexchange, heat recovery chiller, electric & NG boilers and an 8,000 tons cooling plant.
Paul recently brought into service the Port of Bellingham heating and cooling district energy system and before that Paul oversaw the transition of Simon Fraser University Burnaby Campus to low carbon via the construction of a 13.5MW Biomass facility and hot water distribution system. The new facility/system came online in October 2020 and has since reduced CO2e emissions by over 85% annually.
Paul is a Professional Engineer (BC), a Chartered Engineer (UK) and a member of the board of directors for the International District Energy Association.