How much funding can be received?

The CleanBC Custom Program, funded by the Province of British Columbia and the Government of Canada, offers energy study funding and capital incentives for electrification measures and fuel switching within BC Hydro's service territory. It provides up to 50% of energy study costs (maximum $20,000) and capital incentives based on lifetime GHG savings, supporting up to $200,000 per customer and up to $250,000 for eligible northern customers. Eligible projects include various heat pump systems, electric boilers, and heat recovery technologies that lead to measurable and verifiable energy impacts.

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There are multiple project or activities eligible for this grant, focusing on energy efficiency and greenhouse gas reduction.

Heat Recovery Chiller
Air-to-Water Heat Pump
Air-to-Water Heat Pump Water Heater
Ground Source Heat Pump
Air-to-Air Rooftop Heat Pump
Water-to-Water Heat Pump
Exhaust Air Heat Recovery Heat Pump
Sewage Heat Recovery Heat Pump
Electric Boiler
Electric Water Heater
High-efficiency (>75%) HRV
Air Source VRF
Water Source VRF

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To be eligible for the CleanBC Custom Program, applicants must meet specific criteria related to their location, project scope, and utility accounts.

You must have a BC Hydro Key Account Manager.
The building(s) must be in the BC Hydro service territory, including New Westminster.
The project must demonstrate at the pre-screening phase the potential to implement measures at a single facility that will lead to at least 1,200 tC02e of lifetime GHG savings.
To qualify as an energy measure, the project must provide a net decrease in GHGs.
The project must result in energy impacts that are measurable and verifiable, and that can be estimated using standard engineering calculations.
The project must involve a technology that is not covered by other utility DSM programs.
The project must involve a technology that provides net electrical load growth.

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Yes, there are eligible types of companies for the CleanBC Custom Program grant. Eligible companies must have a commercial utility account with BC Hydro, and they should be considering projects that lead to measurable greenhouse gas reductions and involve certain types of technology.

Companies with a commercial utility account with BC Hydro
Companies located north of and including the District of 100 Mile House (latitude 51.628°N)
Companies with projects that lead to at least 1,200 tCO2e of lifetime GHG savings
Companies involved in projects not covered by other utility DSM programs
Companies with projects that provide net electrical load growth

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Eligible expenses for the CleanBC Custom Program include costs associated with energy studies and capital measures leading to GHG savings. These costs are outlined as follows:

Energy study funding up to 50% of the cost, to a maximum of $20,000
Custom capital funding incentives based on GHG savings, not exceeding $200,000 per customer or $250,000 for northern customers
Cost associated with equipment installation eligible for incentives
Specific eligible measures like heat pumps, electric boilers, and heat recovery systems

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Eligible geographic zones for this grant include buildings serviced by BC Hydro across their entire service territory, including New Westminster and areas north of and including the District of 100 Mile House.

BC Hydro Service Territory
New Westminster
North of and including the District of 100 Mile House (latitude 51.628°N)

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The CleanBC Custom Program has specific evaluation and selection criteria to qualify for energy study funding and capital incentives. Projects must demonstrate significant greenhouse gas reductions, be located within the BC Hydro service territory, and adhere to certain technology and feasibility requirements as detailed below.

You must have a BC Hydro Key Account Manager.
The building(s) must be in the BC Hydro service territory, including New Westminster.
The project must demonstrate at the pre-screening phase the potential to implement measures at a single facility that will lead to at least 1,200 tCO2e of lifetime GHG savings.
Projects must provide a net decrease in GHGs.
Energy impacts of the project must be measurable and verifiable, and estimated using standard engineering calculations.
The technology involved must not be covered by other utility DSM programs.
The technology must provide net electrical load growth.
Custom Capital Incentives require the completion of an energy study.
Equipment cannot be purchased before finalizing and signing the Capital Incentive Agreement.

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Step 1: Read all materials, including the Participant’s Guide and Frequently Asked Questions, and download the Custom Workbook.
Step 2: Contact your BC Hydro Key Account Manager to discuss your project and complete the ‘Pre-Screen’ tab of the Custom Workbook.
Step 3: BC Hydro will review the Pre-Screen and if the project is considered eligible, a kick-off meeting is held between you, your Key Account Manager, your selected consultant, and BC Hydro’s CEM Engineering team.
Step 4: Upon completion of the energy study, submit all invoices for payment. Invoices should include all items listed on the sample invoice.
Step 5: Submit a completed energy study to your Key Account Manager that is approved by BC Hydro CEM Engineering. This can either be a CleanBC-funded study or a non-funded study.
Step 6: Your Key Account Manager will submit the incentive application.
Step 7: Upon completion of the equipment installation and final payment to the equipment provider, submit all invoices for payment. Invoices should include all items listed on the sample invoice.

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No.

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1-(866)-522-4713

Apply to this program

CleanBC Custom Program: Fuel Switching and Electrification Incentives

The CleanBC Custom Program, funded by the Province of British Columbia and the Government of Canada, offers substantial incentives for businesses to adopt energy-efficient technologies and fuel-switching measures. The program aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote the use of electric-powered systems through energy study funding and capital incentives.

Exploring the CleanBC Custom Program: Detailed Breakdown and Instructions

The CleanBC Custom Program, administered by BC Hydro, is a comprehensive initiative designed to promote energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in commercial buildings across British Columbia. This program is an integral part of the broader CleanBC initiative, which aims to achieve the province’s climate objectives by encouraging the adoption of cleaner energy practices and technologies.

Program Overview

The goal of the CleanBC Custom Program is to provide financial support for both the initial energy studies and the actual implementation of energy-saving projects. The program focuses on fuel-switching measures and other electrification efforts, with a particular emphasis on technologies that are not already covered by other utility Demand-Side Management (DSM) programs.

Available Incentives

Businesses participating in the CleanBC Custom Program can benefit from two primary types of incentives:

Energy Study Funding: The program offers to cover up to 50% of the cost of an energy study, with a maximum contribution of $20,000. This financial assistance is crucial in assessing the feasibility and potential benefits of proposed energy-saving measures.
Custom Capital Funding Incentives: For the implementation of energy-saving projects, the program provides funding based on the lifetime GHG savings achieved. The standard rate is $40 per tonne of CO2e saved, with a higher rate of $60 per tonne for heat pump rooftop units. An additional top-up incentive of $10 per tonne of CO2e is available for eligible buildings in northern regions, potentially bringing the total funding to $250,000 per project.

Eligibility Requirements

To participate in the CleanBC Custom Program, commercial buildings must meet the following criteria:

BC Hydro Service Territory: The building must be located within BC Hydro’s service area, including New Westminster.
Key Account Manager: The applicant must have a BC Hydro Key Account Manager to guide them through the application and implementation processes.
GHG Savings Potential: The project must demonstrate the potential to achieve at least 1,200 tonnes of CO2e in lifetime GHG savings. This is assessed during the pre-screening phase of the application process.

Additionally, to qualify as an energy measure under the program, the project must result in a net decrease in GHG emissions, with measurable and verifiable energy impacts. The technologies used must not be covered by other utility DSM programs and should contribute to net electrical load growth.

Eligible Technologies

The CleanBC Custom Program supports a variety of energy-efficient technologies, including but not limited to:

Heat Recovery Chillers
Air-to-Water Heat Pumps
Air-to-Water Heat Pump Water Heaters
Ground Source Heat Pumps
Air-to-Air Rooftop Heat Pumps
Water-to-Water Heat Pumps
Exhaust Air Heat Recovery Heat Pumps
Sewage Heat Recovery Heat Pumps
Electric Boilers (only if heat pump options are not feasible)
Electric Water Heaters (only if heat pump options are not feasible)
High-efficiency Heat Recovery Ventilators (HRVs)
Air Source Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) systems
Water Source VRF systems

Note that certain technologies, like heat recovery chillers and stand-alone high-efficiency HRVs, may need prior consultation with FortisBC to determine eligibility under their natural gas DSM programs.

Application Process

Energy Study Funding

To apply for energy study funding, follow these steps:

Download the necessary materials, including the Participant’s Guide and Custom Workbook.
Contact your BC Hydro Key Account Manager to discuss your project and complete the ‘Pre-Screen’ tab of the Custom Workbook.
BC Hydro will review the Pre-Screen, and if the project is considered eligible, a kick-off meeting will be scheduled with the applicant, the Key Account Manager, the selected consultant, and the BC Hydro CEM Engineering team.
Upon completion of the energy study, submit all invoices for payment. Ensure the invoices include all required items as specified in the sample invoice.

Custom Capital Funding Incentives

To apply for capital funding incentives, follow these steps:

Submit a completed energy study to your Key Account Manager that is approved by BC Hydro CEM Engineering. This study can be either CleanBC-funded or non-funded.
Your Key Account Manager will submit the incentive application on your behalf.
After completing the equipment installation and making the final payment to the equipment provider, submit all invoices for payment, ensuring they include all required items as specified in the sample invoice.

Deadlines

Participants must adhere to the following deadlines:

Energy Study Completion: You have six months from the date of the signed Energy Study Agreement to complete the energy study.
Project Implementation: You have 18 months from the date of the signed Capital Incentive Agreement to implement the project.

Additional Support

For custom projects expected to achieve less than 1,200 tonnes of CO2e in lifetime GHG savings, consider exploring the CleanBC Custom-Lite Program. BC Hydro also offers an incentive search tool for other energy efficiency upgrade incentives. To clarify any building science or energy efficiency terminology, consult the program's glossary.

If you need further information or assistance, contact your BC Hydro Key Account Manager. If you don’t have one, reach out to BC Hydro’s Business Help Desk at incentives@bchydro.com or by phone at (604)-522-4713 in the Lower Mainland or 1-(866)-522-4713 elsewhere in B.C.

CleanBC — Custom Program

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