📋 Tender Overview
The City of Toronto will install two power drop kiosks at film industry hotspots Ashbridges BayWoodbine Beach and Sir Casimir Gzowski Park. Power drops are fixed electrical stations that allow film productions to plug in to grid electrical power.To launch the pilot project City officials were on hand at Ashbridges Bay parking lot at 1561 Lake Shore Blvd. E. to demonstrate how the power drop will help film productions reduce their reliance on diesel generators at these sites which will help eliminate the carbon emissions they produce and improve air quality. The power drop in Sir Casimir Gzowski Park will be completed soon.These filming locations have sufficient existing electrical service to supply the needs of the power drops eliminating the need for the diesel generators customarily used by productions creating a potential reduction of 400 tons of greenhouse gas GHG emissions per year or the equivalent annual energy use of 45 homes. This total is film-usage only based on past usage patterns pointing to even greater GHG emissions reductions as local events food trucks and other users could also take advantage of the kiosks.Delivered as part of the Citys TransformTO Net Zero Climate Action Strategy to reduce carbon emissions in Toronto to net zero by 2040 this project was made possible through the work of multiple City divisions and agencies. Using extensive location permitting data top locations used by film productions were identified some of which are parks. The City also partnered with Toronto Hydro to assess which locations had sufficient available grid-power and which would be most viable financially and logistically. In partnership with the Toronto Atmospheric Fund GHG emissions reduction calculations were provided to quantify the projects impact.During a recent City film industry business development mission to Los Angeles feedback from production clients including studios and streamers reinforced the importance placed on the availability of environmentally-friendly production infrastructure. These power drops will be a key feature in anchoring Toronto as a green film-friendly location and play an active role in attracting more productions to the city.After a record-breaking year in 2021 in which production volume grew to 2.5 billion Torontos screen production industry continues to experience rapid growth and momentum in 2022. The city has seen multiple new production facilities open and studio space is expected to grow by 68 per cent between 2021 and 2025 creating thousands of new jobs for Torontonians.Torontos accelerated TransformTO Net Zero Climate Action Strategy which was adopted by City Council in December 2021 set Toronto on a path to reduce community-wide emissions to net zero by 2040. Torontos net zero target is one of the most ambitious in North America. The power drops are an example of the Citys commitment to demonstrate leadership in reducing greenhouse gas emissions from all sectors of the economy.
