The city’s utility received some national attention recently for a clean energy initiative.

Saint John Energy received a 2026 Clean50 Top Project Award at a ceremony in Toronto last week.

Zero30 is the utility’s roadmap to show what it would take to reach net-zero emissions by 2030 while maintaining affordable and reliable electricity for customers.

“Zero30 represents a new standard for how smaller Canadian utilities can approach decarbonization,” said Michelle Siscoe, Saint John Energy’s program director of strategic growth. “The recognition from Clean50 validates our innovative approach.”

In a press release, Clean50 praised the initiative “that blends local renewable generation, battery storage, and smart grid innovation to cut greenhouse gas emissions.”

“Engaging with stakeholders and Indigenous partners, Zero30 addresses rising demand, grid modernization, corporate emissions and customer decarbonization.”

Zero30 builds on Saint John Energy’s clean energy initiatives, including utility-scale energy storage, the Burchill Wind Project and the Menahgesk Kisuh Energy Hub. It was launched in 2023 and leverages lessons from around the world to find a path to carbon neutrality in Saint John Energy’s operations and help its customers achieve it as well.

This is the second time Saint John Energy has been recognized by Clean 50. In 2021, utility president Ryan Mitchell, then a vice-president, was named one of Canada’s Clean50 leaders.