
Closed
Capital Retrofits
Funding for non-emitting industrial retrofits reducing energy use and emissions
Last Update: April 29, 2026
Funding available
$ 1,000,000
Timeline
- Closing date : March 19, 2026
Location
Alberta, Canada
Overview
Capital Retrofits, under Emissions Reduction Alberta’s SEMI program, supports Alberta industrial and manufacturing facilities to implement non-emitting, energy-efficiency capital retrofit projects that reduce energy use and greenhouse gas emissions by at least 5%, with up to 50% of eligible costs covered and up to $1,000,000 in funding per facility. Eligible activities include upgrades such as HVAC retrofits (including heat pumps), building envelope improvements, compressed air and pumping efficiency, waste heat recovery, process electrification, smart manufacturing and automation, and certain renewable energy integration (e.g., solar PV) subject to specific rules and caps.
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Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase performance through digital transformation
- Optimize production processes
- Reduce environmental footprint
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 1,000,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
Timeline
- Closing date : March 19, 2026
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
- Utilities
- Construction
- Manufacturing
- Transportation and warehousing
- Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services
Location
- Alberta
Legal structures
- For-profit business
- Sole proprietorship
- Non-profit
- Public or Parapublic institution
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
- Canadians
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- All industries
Target groups
- All the groups
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- All dimensions
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Energy-efficiency capital retrofit projects that permanently upgrade existing equipment or systems to reduce facility energy use and greenhouse gas emissions.
- Installation of energy-efficient electrical and mechanical system upgrades (e.g., motors with VFDs, pumping, fans/ventilation, compressed air, refrigeration, HVAC/heat pumps, building envelope improvements).
- Process efficiency and production process electrification projects that reduce energy consumption and emissions.
- Waste heat recovery and reuse projects.
- On-site renewable energy integration projects (e.g., solar PV, geothermal) implemented as part of a retrofit project.
Documents Needed
- Feasibility study supporting the proposed capital retrofit(s)
- At least 12 months of energy consumption data (Excel format) for the applicable system(s)
- Detailed project budget/cost estimate supported by vendor quotes for major cost items
- Retrofit workplan/implementation schedule with key milestones
- Measurement & Verification Reporting (M&VR) document (plan/methods for verifying results)
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Industrial facilities located in Alberta
- Manufacturing facilities located in Alberta
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting operations (including related support activities)
- Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction businesses (including related support activities)
- Utilities, transportation, construction, and eligible waste management/remediation service operations
Who is not eligible
- Businesses whose project consists of a new construction (this type of project is indicated as ineligible).
- Businesses with renovation projects focused on fossil fuel equipment (e.g., replacing a boiler with a more efficient boiler), where the project’s sole aim is to improve the efficiency of equipment powered by fossil fuels.
- Businesses whose main activity falls under the Administrative and Support Services sector (NAICS 56 – administrative and support component), since this subsector is specified as ineligible (note: waste management and remediation remain eligible).
- Businesses in a state of bankruptcy or insolvency (or subject to bankruptcy/receivership proceedings, etc.), as this status is explicitly excluded.
Eligible expenses
- Capital costs to purchase and install retrofit equipment.
- Professional and contracted services directly tied to the retrofit (e.g., engineering, project management, construction, technical/management services, training, logistics, maintenance, contracting).
- Data collection and data management services (including processing and analysis) related to the retrofit.
- Meters and related costs for measurement and verification (purchase, design, installation, configuration).
- Travel costs required for the retrofit work (meals and accommodation) in line with National Joint Council rates.
- Licence fees, data purchases, certification costs, regulatory compliance costs, inspection costs, construction insurance, and permits.
- Environmental assessment costs.
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Costs not directly required to purchase or install the capital retrofit.
- Costs incurred before October 16, 2024 or after March 31, 2027.
- Costs to expand the facility (e.g., new construction, new processes, or capacity increases beyond the allowable threshold).
- Costs that have already received incentives, subsidies, grants, or other funding from any Canadian government source (federal, provincial, territorial, or municipal).
- Operating and maintenance costs (including upkeep), as well as overhead/administrative costs not directly related to the retrofit.
Eligible geographic areas
- Alberta, Canada
Selection criteria
- Abatement cost (ERA funding requested per tCO₂e of lifetime GHG reductions) — projects with lower abatement costs score higher.
- Parent company funding cap — maximum $1 million per parent company; applications exceeding the cap may not be evaluated and may be placed on the waitlist.
- Diversity of technologies supported — technologies that have received less funding to date are prioritized.
- Application quality — assessed based on the quality of the supporting documentation submitted.
- Fairness assessment for Indigenous and not-for-profit applicants — Indigenous and not-for-profit applications are scored separately from for-profit applications.
How to apply
Step 1: Register on the SEMI portal and complete the Facility Readiness Assessment (FRA).- Create an account and register/login via the SEMI online portal (https://portal.semiprogram.ca/).- Complete the FRA and sign the FRA Participant Terms and Conditions before submitting a Capital Retrofits application.Step 2: Prepare your Capital Retrofits application package and supporting documentation.- Prepare a feasibility study describing the existing system, the proposed retrofit(s), and the estimated energy savings and GHG emissions reductions.- Compile at least 12 months of energy consumption data for the applicable system(s) in Excel format.- Develop a detailed project budget/cost estimate supported by vendor quotes for major cost items.- Prepare a retrofit workplan/implementation schedule with key milestones.- Prepare a Measurement & Verification approach (plan for how energy savings and GHG reductions will be estimated and verified after completion).- Prepare a description of other project benefits (as applicable), such as reduced maintenance, improved productivity, reduced waste, and job creation.- Complete the participant-executed Capital Retrofits Terms and Conditions document as required for the application.Step 3: Submit your application through the SEMI Portal within the applicable intake window.- Complete and submit the Capital Retrofits application in the SEMI Portal (https://portal.semiprogram.ca/), with all required supporting documents.- If applying during the fixed intake period, ensure the signed pre-application is received between January 7 and March 2, 2026, and submit by March 2, 2026 at 4 p.m. MST.- Revise and resubmit any missing critical information or clarifications by March 2, 2026 (if requested) to remain eligible.Step 4: Receive submission confirmation and respond to any review requests.- Watch for the acknowledgement email confirming your application was submitted and is under review.- Provide any additional information requested by ERA’s Service Provider during review, noting you remain responsible for having a comprehensive application by the deadline.Step 5: Wait for evaluation and the funding decision (fixed intake period only).- For applications submitted during the January 7 to March 2, 2026 fixed intake period, expect applications to be reviewed, scored, and ranked during March 3 to March 31, 2026.- Receive the funding decision communication targeted by March 31, 2026.- If not selected for funding, your project may be placed on a waitlist.Step 6: Execute the agreement after approval.- After receiving a pre-approval/approval notification, enter into the Capital Retrofits Agreement (Terms and Conditions executed by ERA).- Retain the executed Terms and Conditions provided with the approval notification (where applicable).Step 7: Implement the approved retrofit project and manage changes.- Select a SEMI-approved contractor (contractors must register on the portal to become approved).- Implement and install the Capital Retrofit using good engineering practices and in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.- Complete the project so it is in-service by March 31, 2027.- Notify ERA immediately of any changes to the project scope, timeline, budget, or factors leading to underperformance (changes are subject to ERA approval).Step 8: Complete measurement and verification, site access, and data submission.- Submit the Measurement & Verification Reporting (M&VR) document identifying the verification procedures and methods.- Allow ERA (and its contractors/service providers/agents) site access as required to confirm installation and verify energy and GHG savings.- Submit the required M&VR data and information via the SEMI Portal for review.Step 9: Submit invoices and request the incentive payment through the SEMI Portal.- Submit invoices for eligible expenditures via the SEMI Portal for review and approval.- Submit your Capital Retrofit incentive invoice via the SEMI Portal to receive the incentive payment.- Provide banking details (including a void cheque) when requested so payment can be processed.Step 10: Maintain and report post-project data through the required period.- Log, maintain, and submit project-related data in accordance with the M&VR document until March 31, 2031.- Notify ERA of any factors leading to underperformance immediately after the retrofit is in-service and continue to do so until March 31, 2031.
Processing and Agreement
- ERA’s service provider reviews complete applications submitted during the intake window and scores/ranks them using ERA’s evaluation criteria.
- During the fixed intake period, applications are not assessed on a first-come, first-served basis; incomplete files must be revised by the deadline to remain eligible for evaluation.
- Funding is allocated to the highest-ranked applications until the available budget is fully committed; eligible but unfunded projects may be placed on a waitlist and contacted if funds become available.
- Applicants are notified of the funding decision (target: by March 31, 2026 for fixed intake submissions), and approved projects receive an ERA-executed Capital Retrofits Terms & Conditions agreement.
- After installation and verification of results (per the Measurement & Verification requirements) and after invoices are reviewed/approved, the incentive payment is issued by electronic funds transfer.
Additional information
- Capital Retrofits has a new fixed intake model effective January 7, 2026 (replacing first-come, first-served for new/unsigned applications).
- For the fixed intake round, complete pre-applications must be received by March 2, 2026 at 4 p.m. MST, with funding decisions targeted by March 31, 2026.
- Projects may begin implementation before a funding decision, but this is at the applicant’s own risk since funding is not reserved until ERA executes the Terms and Conditions.
- Incentive payments are issued after the retrofit is completed and verified, and participants must maintain and submit project data until March 31, 2031.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Capital Retrofits Program
What is the Capital Retrofits?
Capital Retrofits, under Emissions Reduction Alberta’s SEMI program, supports Alberta industrial and manufacturing facilities to implement non-emitting, energy-efficiency capital retrofit projects that reduce energy use and greenhouse gas emissions by at least 5%, with up to 50% of eligible costs covered and up to $1,000,000 in funding per facility. Eligible activities include upgrades such as HVAC retrofits (including heat pumps), building envelope improvements, compressed air and pumping efficiency, waste heat recovery, process electrification, smart manufacturing and automation, and certain renewable energy integration (e.g., solar PV) subject to specific rules and caps.
How much funding can be received?
Capital Retrofits Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses, capped at $1,000,000 per project.
Who is eligible for the Capital Retrofits program?
To be eligible for the Capital Retrofits program, you must:
Operate a business (e.g., corporation, non-profit, co-op, sole proprietor, partnership, government/public entity, or Indigenous-owned) owning or leasing an eligible Alberta facility.
Facility must have completed a SEMI Facility Readiness Assessment (FRA).
Applicant must not be insolvent (per the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act).
What expenses are eligible under Capital Retrofits?
Energy-efficiency capital retrofit projects that permanently upgrade existing equipment or systems to reduce facility energy use and greenhouse gas emissions.
Installation of energy-efficient electrical and mechanical system upgrades (e.g., motors with VFDs, pumping, fans/ventilation, compressed air, refrigeration, HVAC/heat pumps, building envelope improvements).
Process efficiency and production process electrification projects that reduce energy consumption and emissions.
Waste heat recovery and reuse projects.
On-site renewable energy integration projects (e.g., solar PV, geothermal) implemented as part of a retrofit project.
Who can I contact for more information about the Capital Retrofits?
You can contact Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA) by email at semi@eralberta.ca or by phone at 1-844-407-0025.
Where is the Capital Retrofits available?
The Capital Retrofits program is available the province of Alberta.
Is the Capital Retrofits a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Capital Retrofits is a Grant and Funding