Open
Source verified October 4, 2026
Commercial Energy Loan Program
Financing for commercial building energy upgrades
Latest source updateLast Update: October 12, 2026Latest change: The Commercial Energy Loan Program fact sheet now lists backup power and battery storage as eligible resiliency items, and it no longer lists emergency lighting, signage, and communication systems.View change
Latest source update
Last Update: October 12, 2026
Latest change: The Commercial Energy Loan Program fact sheet now lists backup power and battery storage as eligible resiliency items, and it no longer lists emergency lighting, signage, and communication systems.
Commercial Energy Loan Program retrofit list updated
The Commercial Energy Loan Program Fact Sheet updated the eligible retrofit examples under resiliency. Backup power and battery storage are now listed, while emergency lighting, signage, and communication systems are no longer shown. The rest of the fact sheet content visible in the diff is unchanged.
Funding available
$ 10,000 - $ 1,500,000
Deadline
Unspecified
Opened October 4, 2026
Location
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
Who can apply
Owners of existing commercial, institutional, and multi-unit residential buildings.
See full eligibility
Overview
The Commercial Energy Loan Program offers low-interest financing for existing Saskatoon commercial, non-profit, multi-unit residential, and affordable housing properties to improve energy, water, and climate performance. Projects may include HVAC upgrades, insulation, solar PV, water-efficient fixtures, and EV charging stations.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Implement environmental initiatives
- Reduce environmental footprint
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 1,500,000 $
- Minimum amount : 10,000 $
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Saskatoon
- Saskatchewan
Legal structures
- For-profit business
- Non-profit
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- All groups
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
Availability timeline
2026
Periods: 2
Activities funded
- Energy efficiency upgrades, including HVAC upgrades and controls, building envelope improvements, high-efficiency lighting and controls, motors, pumps, variable speed drives, hot water systems, automated building controls, and energy recovery systems.
- Water efficiency improvements, including low-flow fixtures, efficient irrigation systems, once-through cooling systems, and automated controls.
- Renewable energy improvements, including solar PV and solar thermal.
- Climate resiliency measures, including wind hardening and resistance measures, cooling measures, flood mitigation, stormwater management and bioretention, and back up power and battery storage.
- Other eligible items, including incidental work required to complete an eligible upgrade and electric vehicle charging stations.
Documents Needed
- ASHRAE Level II energy audit or equivalent, with an Energy Assessment Attestation for virtual audits where applicable.
- Business Case Form.
- Contractor quote and technical specifications.
- Property Information Disclosure through the City of Saskatoon’s ePermitting system.
- Mortgage Lender Approval Form and/or Condominium Board Approval Form, Certificate of Insurance, and Affordable Housing Income Verification Form where applicable.
Official resources
Program guide
Application form
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Owners of existing commercial, institutional, and multi-unit residential buildings.
- Non-profit organizations.
- Affordable housing providers.
- Condominiums with approval from their condo board or association.
Who is not eligible
- New construction projects.
Eligible expenses
- Costs of labour and parts for approved eligible projects.
- Costs directly incidental to approved eligible projects, including permit fees and fees paid to qualified energy professionals, subject to City approval.
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Administrative costs.
Eligible geographic areas
- Saskatoon city limits
Selection criteria
- Priority will be given to small- to medium-sized buildings of about 3,000 m2, as well as non-profit organizations and affordable housing providers.
How to apply
- Apply through MyProperty and confirm eligibility.
- Participate in the City’s Commercial Energy Planner, complete the required audit or feasibility study and business case, collect quotes and technical specifications, open required permits, and submit a funding request.
Processing and Agreement
- The City reviews each application, funding request, and completion package to determine whether the applicant, property, project, costs, and documentation meet CEL Program requirements.
- Initial application approval only allows the applicant to proceed to the project development stage; work cannot begin until the Program Deferral Agreement is fully signed and the City confirms that the participant may proceed.
- After approval, participants have 12 months to complete the approved project, unless the City approves an extension.
- After project completion, participants must submit the required completion documentation through MyProperty and complete final payment requirements.
- Participants must complete annual reporting and energy disclosure for the previous year for up to five years through the City’s Commercial Energy Planner.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Commercial Energy Loan Program Program
What is the Commercial Energy Loan Program?
The Commercial Energy Loan Program offers low-interest financing for existing Saskatoon commercial, non-profit, multi-unit residential, and affordable housing properties to improve energy, water, and climate performance. Projects may include HVAC upgrades, insulation, solar PV, water-efficient fixtures, and EV charging stations.
How much funding can be received?
Commercial Energy Loan Program Funds up to $1,500,000 of admissible expenses.
Who is eligible for the Commercial Energy Loan Program program?
To be eligible for the Commercial Energy Loan Program program, you must:
The applicant must be the legal property owner or an authorized representative.
The property must be an existing building within Saskatoon city limits.
The property owner must participate in the City’s Commercial Energy Planner.
What expenses are eligible under Commercial Energy Loan Program?
Energy efficiency upgrades, including HVAC upgrades and controls, building envelope improvements, high-efficiency lighting and controls, motors, pumps, variable speed drives, hot water systems, automated building controls, and energy recovery systems.
Water efficiency improvements, including low-flow fixtures, efficient irrigation systems, once-through cooling systems, and automated controls.
Renewable energy improvements, including solar PV and solar thermal.
Climate resiliency measures, including wind hardening and resistance measures, cooling measures, flood mitigation, stormwater management and bioretention, and back up power and battery storage.
Other eligible items, including incidental work required to complete an eligible upgrade and electric vehicle charging stations.
Who can I contact for more information about the Commercial Energy Loan Program?
You can contact City of Saskatoon by email at BetterBuildings@saskatoon.ca or by phone at 306-986-1658.
Where is the Commercial Energy Loan Program available?
The Commercial Energy Loan Program program is available the province of Saskatchewan.
Is the Commercial Energy Loan Program a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Commercial Energy Loan Program is a Loans and Capital investments