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Energy Funding

Now accepting new applications

As of December 1, 2011, we are accepting new applications for capital projects in the energy sector.

There are no changes to the eligibility criteria or funding limits for these projects. We continue to fund three types of energy capital projects: energy-efficient municipal facilities, energy recovery or district energy, and net zero systems. We are now referencing the new National Energy Code of Canada for Buildings (NECB 2011) standards for new energy-efficient municipal facilities, but there is no change in the level of energy efficiency required to meet the updated criteria.

To best manage the funding available to support the strongest initiatives, we have adopted a new, competitive selection process for capital projects in the energy, transportation, waste and water sectors.

All applicants need to use the updated GMF Application Form to apply for funding.

We strongly encourage applicants to complete an Eligibility Questionnaire to assess their eligibility for funding, along with a new Project Scorecard to assess the potential score of their application.

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Energy-efficient municipal facilities

We fund both retrofits and new construction projects aimed at energy efficiency.

In most cases, only projects involving municipally owned buildings will qualify for funding. It is possible, however, that a non-municipally owned building that meets the eligibility criteria for energy capital projects could be eligible for funding if the primary use of the building is for municipal purposes.

In this case, you would need to demonstrate that:

  • the project is a municipal environmental project. A municipal environmental project is a project that responds to a municipal need and contributes to cleaner air, water, or soil, or reduces GHGs.
  • a partnership between your organization and a municipal government exists and that the municipal government has a genuine interest and active involvement in the project.

While we encourage municipalities to consider LEED® certification as they undertake building projects, this is not required for funding purposes.

Retrofits

Your project must demonstrate the potential to reduce energy consumption by at least 30% compared to current performance. A minimum of 20% of these energy savings must come from energy efficiency measures and the remainder may come from renewable energy production (e.g. production of wind and solar energy).

Example: retrofits of municipal facilities (e.g. outdated HVAC systems, poor insulation) with or without the opportunity to generate renewable energy

New construction

Your project must demonstrate an anticipated reduction in design energy consumption of at least 45% compared to the National Energy Code for Buildings (NECB) 2011. A minimum of 30% of these energy savings must come from energy efficiency measures and the remainder may come from renewable energy production.

Example: a new energy-efficient municipal building with or without on-site renewable energy generation (process loads may be excluded)

Energy recovery or district energy

Your project must demonstrate the potential to capture and use residual energy or create new capacity to transmit and use thermal energy, and reduce energy consumption by at least 20% for one or more existing municipal facilities within one year of implementation compared to baseline data.

Examples:

  • district energy systems
  • digester gas utilization
  • process heat capture

  • landfill gas capture for energy production

Net zero municipal systems

Your project must demonstrate the potential to result in a system that does not generate any GHG emissions during operation (a net zero system).

Examples:

  • solar street, parking or ball field lighting
  • solar waste compactors
  • solar parking meters
  • wind or biogas powered park lighting

Excluded projects

Stand-alone renewable energy production projects are not eligible for funding, unless they are implemented on brownfield sites, with or without remediation, and are approved by the provincial or territorial regulator. If this is the case, your initiative is considered a brownfields capital project.

Questions?

See our FAQs, or contact Paul Gregory, regional advisor, at 613-907-6291.

 
Page Updated: 10/05/2012