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Efficient Solutions Program — Small Business Component

Funding for energy-efficient business equipment and systems

Offered by
Hydro-Québec
Official source: hydroquebec.com

Source change captured

Funding available
$ 500 - $ 5,000,000
Up to 90% of project cost
Deadline
Open continuously
Location
Quebec, Canada
Who can apply
Québec-based companies subject to Rate G or Flex Rate G that operate one or more commercial, institutional or industrial buildings
See full eligibility

Overview

The Efficient Solutions Program — Small Business Component helps Québec-based companies subject to Rate G or Flex Rate G cover up to 90% of eligible costs for projects that improve the energy performance of commercial, institutional, or industrial buildings. Support applies to predefined OSE measures such as heat pumps, thermal envelope upgrades, and lighting controls.

At a glance

Funding available

Maximum funding
$5,000,000
Minimum funding
$500
Maximum share of project costs
90%
Financing goals
  • Implement environmental initiatives
  • Obtain certifications or accreditations
  • Reduce environmental footprint
  • Improve business energy efficiency
  • Renovate or expand facilities
  • Renovate or adapt facilities

Eligible candidates

Location
  • Quebec
Eligible Industries
All industries
Annual revenue
All revenue ranges
Organisation size
All organization sizes
Audience
All groups
Legal structures
Non-profit, Sole proprietorship, Public or Parapublic institution, Non-financial cooperative, Social economy enterprise, For-profit business

Start applying for this program

Take a practical assessment to gain a clear understanding of how well this program aligns with your specific needs and long-term goals.

Availability timeline

2026
Periods: 1

Latest changes

OSE application instructions updated

The OSE guide no longer includes the section explaining how to submit a request in OSE.

See more

The document titled Demande d’appui financier avec l’outil de calcul OSE no longer includes the section “Comment soumettre une demande dans OSE.” This reduces the application-process guidance visible on the OSE guide page, while the rest of the noted edits are typographic.

Official source: hydroquebec.com
September 16, 2026

Eligibility

Who is eligible?

  • Québec-based companies subject to Rate G or Flex Rate G that operate one or more commercial, institutional or industrial buildings
  • A partner mandated by a customer to submit a project on the customer’s behalf
  • An aggregator that submits projects on behalf of its customers

Who is not eligible

  • Aggregators are not eligible for the Energy Analysis component.

Eligible expenses

  • Purchase costs of new equipment, excluding financing costs
  • Installation and commissioning costs for new equipment
  • For demand response automation measures, design, programming and commissioning costs for demand response sequences
  • For demand response automation measures, costs to replace or update controllers, firmware, software and graphical interfaces required to program demand response strategies
  • For demand response automation measures, performance monitoring and warranty costs for up to 12 months after commissioning, as well as user training costs

Ineligible Costs and Activities

  • Measures that have already been the subject of a project submitted to Hydro‑Québec within the five years following the previous project’s end date
  • Projects involving electricity generation, except eligible photovoltaic panels
  • Heat pumps submitted under the ÉcoPerformance – Volet Biénergie commercial et institutionnel program of the Ministère de l’Environnement, de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques, de la Faune et des Parcs
  • Projects required solely to comply with Québec or Canada laws, regulations or standards
  • Projects that have a negative impact on health, safety or the environment, or that contravene a law or regulation

Eligible geographic areas

  • Québec

Activities funded

  • Modernization, expansion, major renovation, equipment addition or construction projects
  • Implementation of energy efficiency measures predefined in the OSE tool
  • Implementation of demand response measures predefined in the OSE tool
  • Purchase and installation of energy-efficient equipment and systems for eligible buildings

How to apply

  • Read the eligibility requirements, Participant’s Guide and Conditions and Undertaking before starting the project.
  • Download the OSE tool version that matches the project start date.
  • Use the OSE tool to select eligible predefined measures and calculate the financial support.
  • Complete the project and install the equipment or system.
  • Submit the completed OSE files and required supporting documents to Hydro‑Québec after the work is finished.

Documents Needed

  • Completed OSE files, including the Confirmation of the completed project
  • Copies of all purchase, installation or programming invoices or receipts for each implemented measure
  • Notice of participation – Aggregator, if applicable
  • An electricity bill for the period preceding project submission, if the applicant is a customer of a municipal or cooperative system and the project concerns an existing building

Processing and Agreement

  • Hydro‑Québec acknowledges receipt of the project and assesses its compliance.
  • Hydro‑Québec may request additional information or other supporting documents.
  • After giving the notice described in the Conditions and Undertaking, Hydro‑Québec may visit the project site to verify that the work and installed equipment comply with program requirements.
  • Hydro‑Québec approves the completed project or revises the financial support if the work does not comply, then informs the participant or aggregator of the amount to be paid.
  • To receive payment, the participant or aggregator must send an original invoice from its accounting system within 30 days after the invoicing request; Hydro‑Québec then issues payment about 45 days after receiving the compliant invoice.

Additional information

  • A single application can cover multiple buildings.
  • A request may include one building subject to Rate G and another subject to a different business rate, and the OSE tool will base the calculation on these criteria.
  • The project start date is the earlier of the first contract signed with a contractor or the first equipment purchase shown on a purchase order or invoice.
  • Unless an exception applies under the Charter of the French language, documents submitted to Hydro‑Québec, including reports and invoices, must be in French.

Contacts

bureau.eeaffaires@hydroquebec.com
1 800 363-7443

Official sources

hydroquebec.com

Official page

Efficient Solutions Program

Program guide

Energy‑efficient equipment for businesses Financial support to implement energy‑efficient measuresFrequently asked questionsTransitional Rules - Small Businesses Component
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Frequently Asked Questions about the Efficient Solutions Program — Small Business Component Program

What is the Efficient Solutions Program — Small Business Component?

The Efficient Solutions Program — Small Business Component helps Québec-based companies subject to Rate G or Flex Rate G cover up to 90% of eligible costs for projects that improve the energy performance of commercial, institutional, or industrial buildings. Support applies to predefined OSE measures such as heat pumps, thermal envelope upgrades, and lighting controls.

How much funding can be received?

Efficient Solutions Program — Small Business Component Funds up to 90% of admissible expenses, capped at $5,000,000 per project.

What is the deadline to apply?

The program is accepting continuous intake

Who is eligible for the Efficient Solutions Program — Small Business Component program?

To be eligible for the Efficient Solutions Program — Small Business Component program, you must: The applicant must be a Québec-based company subject to Rate G or Flex Rate G. The project must concern one or more commercial, institutional or industrial buildings supplied by the Hydro‑Québec grid or an eligible off-grid, municipal or cooperative system. The project must involve predefined OSE measures, and the requested financial support calculated with OSE must be at least $500.

What expenses are eligible under Efficient Solutions Program — Small Business Component?

Purchase costs of new equipment, excluding financing costs Installation and commissioning costs for new equipment For demand response automation measures, design, programming and commissioning costs for demand response sequences For demand response automation measures, costs to replace or update controllers, firmware, software and graphical interfaces required to program demand response strategies For demand response automation measures, performance monitoring and warranty costs for up to 12 months after commissioning, as well as user training costs

Who can I contact for more information about the Efficient Solutions Program — Small Business Component?

You can contact Hydro-Québec by email at bureau.eeaffaires@hydroquebec.com or by phone at 1 800 363-7443.

Where is the Efficient Solutions Program — Small Business Component available?

The Efficient Solutions Program — Small Business Component program is available the province of Quebec.