Efficiency Nova Scotia — Custom Energy Retrofits

Q: How much funding can be received?

Efficiency Nova Scotia — Custom Energy Retrofits Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses, capped at $750000 per project.

Q: What is the deadline to apply?

The deadline to apply is not specified.

Q: Is the Efficiency Nova Scotia — Custom Energy Retrofits a grant, loan, or tax credit?

Efficiency Nova Scotia — Custom Energy Retrofits is a Grant and Funding

Q: Who are the financial supporters of the Efficiency Nova Scotia — Custom Energy Retrofits?

Efficiency Nova Scotia — Custom Energy Retrofits is funded by Efficiency Nova Scotia

Q: Who is eligible for the Efficiency Nova Scotia — Custom Energy Retrofits program?

To be eligible for the Efficiency Nova Scotia — Custom Energy Retrofits program, you must: • Must be a non-residential customer or farm operation • Facility must be institutional, non-profit, commercial (including multi-unit residential), or industrial • Facility must be served directly or indirectly by Nova Scotia Power Inc.

Q: Who can I contact for more information about the Efficiency Nova Scotia — Custom Energy Retrofits?

You can contact Efficiency Nova Scotia.

Q: Where is the Efficiency Nova Scotia — Custom Energy Retrofits available?

The Efficiency Nova Scotia — Custom Energy Retrofits program is available the province of NS.

Last Update: July 22, 2025

NS, Canada

Supports energy efficiency upgrades for non-residential facilities in Nova Scotia

At a glance

Eligible Funding

Max. $750,000
Up to 50% of project cost

Timeline

Unspecified

Financing Type

Grant and Funding

Expert Advice

Eligible Industries

All industries

Funds Providers

Unspecified

Program status

Open

Overview

The Efficiency Nova Scotia Custom Energy Retrofits program offers up to $750,000 per project to support non-residential and farm operations in conducting energy efficiency studies and implementing technical upgrades in their facilities. Eligible activities include feasibility and scoping studies, as well as customized retrofits targeting electrical energy savings and demand reduction through measures such as HVAC, refrigeration, and renewables.

Financing terms and conditions

Rebate covers 50% of scoping study costs, up to a maximum of $1,000.
Feasibility study incentives available up to $15,000, covering up to 100% of the study cost upon pre-approval.
Implementation incentives are calculated as $0.15 per kWh saved or $250 per kW of peak demand reduced, capped at 50% of project incremental costs, with a maximum of $750,000 per project.
Study incentives are deducted from the final implementation incentive amount.

Activities funded

Implementation of customized energy-saving upgrades in non-residential, institutional, non-profit, commercial, or industrial facilities.
Integration of building system improvements such as HVAC, refrigeration, compressed air, motors, motor controls, or renewable energy technologies to reduce energy consumption.
Projects focused on achieving measurable reductions in electrical energy use or utility peak demand.
Retrofit projects that provide significant annual electricity savings through tailored technical modifications.
Group projects across multiple smaller facilities (e.g., schools) to achieve combined energy efficiency results.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 80,000

Upgrade equipment to launch biodegradable packaging factory pilot

$ 65,000

Modernize artisan cheese production with energy-efficient cold storage

$ 85,000

Launch website and new local food delivery software platform

$ 90,000

Implement solar energy system at cooperative agricultural greenhouse

$ 48,000

Expand job training program for youth in commercial bakery

$ 57,000

Pilot community composting for local restaurants and schools

Eligibility

The applicant must be a non-residential customer or a farm operation that has not yet started project implementation.
The facility must be institutional, non-profit, commercial (including multi-unit residential), or industrial, and be served directly or indirectly by Nova Scotia Power Inc.
The facility must typically consume at least 350,000 kWh annually (exceptions may apply at ENS’s discretion, especially for on-site generation or renewables projects).
The project must aim to save electrical energy or reduce utility peak demand, with a minimum of 15,000 kWh of annual electrical energy savings.
Eligible projects must have a simple payback period between 1 and 15 years prior to ENS incentives.

Who is eligible?

Institutional organizations
Non-profit organizations
Commercial businesses (including multi-unit residential facilities)
Industrial facilities
Farm operations

Who is not eligible

Residential customers (individuals and homeowners not operating a business or farm)
Organizations not served directly or indirectly by Nova Scotia Power Inc.

Eligible expenses

Engineering costs (consultant or in-house staff) related to approved studies or projects
Equipment purchase and delivery costs for approved measures
Installation and commissioning labour directly tied to eligible retrofits

Eligible geographic areas

Facilities served directly or indirectly by Nova Scotia Power Inc., located in Nova Scotia.

Selection criteria

Verification that measurement and reporting requirements are fully met prior to payment.
Assessment that all program documentation is complete and accurate.
Review of measured and verified savings, with incentives prorated if savings are less than 85% of expected amounts.

How to apply

Step 1: Feasibility Study Preparation
- Decide whether to request funding for the feasibility study or use an existing study.
- If seeking funding, partner with a consultant to complete the ‘Custom Retrofit Project Application – For Projects Seeking a Feasibility Study Incentive’ and submit it to Efficiency Nova Scotia for approval.
- If not seeking funding or using an existing study, fill out the ‘Custom Retrofit Project Application – For Projects Not Seeking a Feasibility Study Incentive’ with supporting documentation and submit to Efficiency Nova Scotia for approval.
Step 2: Complete Feasibility Study
- Once application is approved, conduct the feasibility study and complete it within six months if seeking the study incentive.
- Submit the completed feasibility study and consultant invoice to Efficiency Nova Scotia for review and approval.
Step 3: Approval and Incentive Issuance for Study
- Efficiency Nova Scotia reviews the submitted study.
- If approved, receive the feasibility study incentive: 50% if the project does not move forward, 100% if proceeding to the next phase with a signed Custom Project Agreement (CPA).
Step 4: Project Implementation Agreement
- Efficiency Nova Scotia prepares a Custom Project Agreement (CPA) using information from the study.
- Review, sign, and return the CPA to the Project Engineer within 30 days.
Step 5: Implement the Project
- Carry out the project as per the CPA.
- Inform the Project Engineer in case of any delays beyond the agreed project completion date.
Step 6: Measurement & Verification
- Complete measurement and verification (M&V) as specified in the CPA.
- Submit the M&V report to the Project Engineer for review.
- Be prepared for a site visit by Efficiency Nova Scotia if required.
Step 7: Receive Incentive Payment
- Upon acceptance of the M&V report and verified savings, Efficiency Nova Scotia issues the implementation incentive.
Step 8: Post-Completion Evaluation
- Participate in potential additional reviews by Efficiency Nova Scotia’s third-party evaluator, which may include technical reviews, surveys, or site visits.

Additional information

Sales tax is not considered an eligible cost for reimbursement.
Incentive payments are dependent on measurement and verification (M&V) of energy savings.
If verified savings are under 85% of what was estimated, the final incentive may be prorated.
Processing of documentation and payment may take up to two months depending on resource availability.

Apply to this program

Frequently Asked Questions about the Efficiency Nova Scotia — Custom Energy Retrofits Program

Here are answers to the most common questions about the Efficiency Nova Scotia — Custom Energy Retrofits. This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.