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Source verified June 30, 2026
Commercial New Construction Program
Rebates for eligible commercial new builds
Latest source updateLast Update: June 30, 2026Latest change: FortisBC replaced the Small Commercial New Construction Program with a redesigned Commercial New Construction Program, with new eligibility, application steps, and incentive amounts now shown.View change
Latest source update
Last Update: June 30, 2026
Latest change: FortisBC replaced the Small Commercial New Construction Program with a redesigned Commercial New Construction Program, with new eligibility, application steps, and incentive amounts now shown.
Commercial New Construction Program redesigned
FortisBC now shows a redesigned Commercial New Construction Program in place of the former Small Commercial New Construction Program. The new program offers rebates up to $800,000 per project, with capital incentives of $2.50 per sq. ft. for Step Code-targeted buildings and energy model and airtightness rebates of 50 per cent up to $15,000 and 75 per cent up to $5,000, respectively. The scope and process were also updated: the program now covers commercial, MURB, institutional, and light industrial Part 3 projects, and the application flow now includes a kick-off meeting, a participant application form, and an incentive estimate letter. The older Small Commercial program content still notes that it is no longer available and references 2023 preregistration and deadlines, while the contact details now point to new support channels including CNCprogram@fortisbc.com and 1-866-884-8833.
Funding available
$ 800,000
Deadline
December 31, 2023
Location
British Columbia, Canada
Overview
FortisBC’s Small Commercial New Construction Program supports eligible commercial new builds in British Columbia. It offers rebates for BC Energy Step Code performance, energy modelling, and airtightness testing.
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Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Implement environmental initiatives
- Reduce environmental footprint
- Renovate or adapt facilities
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 800,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- British Columbia
Legal structures
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- All groups
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- BC Energy Step Code performance target rebates.
- Energy model rebate.
- Airtightness rebate, including mid-construction and post-construction airtightness testing.
Documents Needed
- The pre-registration email confirmation you received when you pre-registered your project with FortisBC (before December 31, 2023).
- Your completed and signed application.
- A copy of the BC Energy Step Code Part 3 Energy Design Report or Part 9 Energy Compliance Report and EnerGuide® N Report and Label for service organization energy advisors or Energy Model Report.
- As-built drawings of the building.
- Energy model invoice or progress draw, if applicable.
- Air tightness testing results and invoice or progress draw, if applicable.
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Customer: Electricity customer, Gas customer
- Business type: Commercial
Who is not eligible
- Buildings where manufacturing or industrial processes occur.
- Projects that do not meet the stated energy performance requirements.
- Projects where electricity is not supplied by the listed providers and gas is not used as required.
Eligible expenses
- Step code rebates based on the square footage of the completed building.
- The energy model rebate.
- Mid-construction airtightness testing.
- Post-construction airtightness testing.
Eligible geographic areas
- British Columbia
Selection criteria
- Building type and occupancy classification.
- Achievement of the required BC Energy Step Code target or energy savings threshold.
- Use of gas as the primary energy source where required.
- Compliance with Demand Side Management regulation criteria.
How to apply
- Review the Small Commercial New Construction Program participant guide and terms and conditions.
- Work with an energy advisor or energy modeller to develop a model and assist with airtightness testing.
- Once construction has been completed and within six months of building occupancy, email your completed and signed application along with the supporting documents.
- If you have any questions, contact your FortisBC key account manager or email CNCprogram@fortisbc.com.
Processing and Agreement
- For current rebates, visit the Commercial New Construction Performance Program page.
- If you have any questions, contact your FortisBC key account manager.
- Once construction has been completed and within six months of building occupancy, email your completed and signed application along with the supporting documents.
- If you are eligible, FortisBC will mail your rebate in the form of a cheque and please allow up to 90 days to process.
Additional information
- The program is delivered by FortisBC.
- A participant guide and program terms and conditions are available for review.
- For guidance, applicants can contact an energy solutions manager, key account manager, or technical advisor.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Commercial New Construction Program Program
What is the Commercial New Construction Program?
FortisBC’s Small Commercial New Construction Program supports eligible commercial new builds in British Columbia. It offers rebates for BC Energy Step Code performance, energy modelling, and airtightness testing.
How much funding can be received?
Commercial New Construction Program Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses, capped at $800,000 per project.
Who is eligible for the Commercial New Construction Program program?
To be eligible for the Commercial New Construction Program program, you must:
You must have been accepted into the 2023 Small Commercial New Construction Program before December 31, 2023.
You must have preregistered your project on or before December 31, 2023, to be eligible for rebates.
For airtightness rebate-specific eligibility, tests must be performed according to (BCBC Part 10.2.3.5.): ASTM E 779, “Standard test method for determining air leakage rate by Fan Pressurization,” or USACE Version 3, “Air leakage test protocol for building envelopes.”
What expenses are eligible under Commercial New Construction Program?
BC Energy Step Code performance target rebates.
Energy model rebate.
Airtightness rebate, including mid-construction and post-construction airtightness testing.
Who can I contact for more information about the Commercial New Construction Program?
You can contact FortisBC by email at CNCprogram@fortisbc.com or by phone at 1-866-884-8833.
Where is the Commercial New Construction Program available?
The Commercial New Construction Program program is available the province of British Columbia.
Is the Commercial New Construction Program a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Commercial New Construction Program is a Grant and Funding