Member Spotlight: Coast to Coast Engineering Inc.

In the next installment of our Member Spotlight series, meet Ishpreet Minhas, Founder, Owner, and Senior Electrical Engineer of Coast to Coast (C2C) Engineering Inc. Coast to Coast is a boutique group of electrical engineers & designers with experience in all aspects of electrical consulting in the building construction industry.

Tell us about your company and your role within it.

I am the founder, owner, and senior electrical engineer of Coast to Coast (C2C) Engineering Inc., established in 2020. C2C is growing and currently has offices in Nova Scotia and British Columbia, and specializes in designing electrical systems for commercial, industrial, and institutional construction. My role as engineering lead is to oversee daily operations and business development and support our wide range of projects ranging from small buildings to large fully-electric complexes. Our team is highly diverse with several sub-disciplines and over 30 years of combined consulting experience.

Why did you become a B2E member?

C2C became a member at the suggestion of a close colleague and friend from BCIT, to engage, contribute, and learn from the diverse cohort of members about green energy and transitioning Canada to net zero. The B2E coalition is a network of incredibly knowledgeable peers to lean on and to learn from, especially in the transition towards carbon neutral and net zero building design. C2C became a member in 2023, and we have learned so much from the community. It felt like the right time to connect with this type of network because we are seeing a growing trend in electrification across British Columbia and Canada.

Becoming a member of B2E has expanded my connections and personal network. It has also allowed our company to learn from others while sharing our own knowledge and experiences. Electrical engineering plays a big role in electrification and we are seeing growing demand for our services.

What impact has the B2E community had on you/your organization?

It has been an informative journey for me, and gaining a better understanding of the latest industry trends has helped me navigate day-to-day challenges that are often experienced by the electrical industry. As an engineering consultant, it is not uncommon to find our heads down with various detailed projects, so we don’t always know what is happening locally or throughout the province. As a B2E member, we are learning nearly weekly from the listserv, regular webinars, and all-member calls what’s happening with fellow members, which has helped inform decisions and has ultimately allowed us to more confidently communicate with clients about industry best practices, available support programs, and how to connect with other industry professionals. It’s amazing.

Tell us about an exciting building electrification project that you’re working on.

We are starting construction on a senior’s housing retrofit project in Princeton, together with BC Housing. With approximately 20 residential units, we’re undertaking a major overhaul in lighting, service upgrades, and the installation of heat pumps to provide both heating and cooling. We began designing the retrofit about 1 year ago, and are excited to see performance details soon including emissions reductions and cost savings. We will be pleased to share the data when it becomes available with the B2E network.

What do you see as a key driver in advancing electrification in your industry?

Collectively, we also need to support one another to make the case that electrification and meeting our net zero targets do not have to be costly. Producing more studies, sharing knowledge, and showcasing initiatives like B2E will help bring that message to the public and drive this work forward. There are rebates and savings in improving energy efficiency. Clients of ours are often very concerned about the capital cost of electrification, but once they understand the savings they will see in the long run, the upgrades become a lot more accessible and manageable for them. Together, we can help more clients understand these opportunities.

Do you have any advice for others (individuals or organizations) who want to follow your path?

My advice for others is to get involved and share your passion. Be willing to share and collaborate, ask, and learn from a wide network of knowledgeable professionals. I got into this work because I am passionate about electrical engineering, and I think a similar passion is shared among fellow B2E members. We are often challenged by timelines – it can take years to retrofit a large building – but lately the pace is speeding up and those who are driven and willing to continue learning will be able to keep up and overcome the challenges.

To connect with Ishpreet on LinkedIn, click here.  For more information on Coast to Coast Engineering Inc. see their Instagram and website.