NPEI Wins EDA Award for Public Relations Excellence

Niagara Peninsula Energy Inc. Wins EDA Award for Utility Box Artwork Program

Top-performing electricity utilities from across Ontario were honoured on Thursday, February 27, at the Electricity Distributors Association (EDA) Awards Gala in Toronto. This annual program acknowledges a diversity of key accomplishments, landmark customer programs, innovations and best practices on the part of the companies that deliver The Power of Local Hydro across Ontario.

Niagara Peninsula Energy Inc. (NPEI) took home top honors in the Public Relations Excellence category, winning the award for their work on the Utility Box Artwork Program. NPEI is the first utility in Ontario to participate in a Utility Box Artwork Program and is an industry leader in reimagining how its customers view its equipment, both literally and figuratively. The program allows the utility to expand and grow local partnerships, while at the same time helping to beautify the communities it serves.

“This is a great way to make the area even more beautiful,” says Sue Forcier, VP of Communications, Marketing and Public Affairs at NPEI. “It also helps to reduce graffiti, and busy images work best to deter vandalism. Niagara Peninsula Energy Inc. is proud to be a local utility responding local innovative ideas from the business community. We are the first utility in Ontario to participate in a creative program like this and we are excited to set a trend that we think is going to be very popular.”

A vinyl wrap is used to cover the boxes, which will weather much better than paint alone and will help to increase the longevity of the artwork. All tags and warning decals on each box will still be clear and visible as a requirement. The utility boxes on Lundy’s Lane were decorated by a local artist who won a contest after submitting her artwork and application to design the boxes.

 “Ontario’s local hydro utilities work hard each day to deliver reliable electricity and expanding and innovative services,” said Ysni Semsedini, President and CEO of Festival Hydro and newly appointed Chair of the EDA. “We’re pleased each year to highlight some of the most noteworthy and inspiring achievements that they are delivering on for the benefit of their customers.”

NPEI plans to continue to wrap more utility boxes as more municipal governments and Business Improvement Areas and businesses, such as the Niagara Parks Commission, show interest and request them.

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Contact:

Sue Forcier
VP of Communications, Marketing and Public Affairs
Niagara Peninsula Energy Inc.
Email: sue.forcier@npei.ca
Cell: 905-651-2930