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Efficient Solutions Program — Small Business Component
Optimize energy performance with Hydro-Québec support
Last Update: April 16, 2026
Funding available
$ 500
Timeline
- Open continuously
Location
Quebec, Canada
Overview
The program provides financial support to small businesses in Quebec for energy efficiency and demand response projects in commercial, institutional, and industrial buildings.
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Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase performance through digital transformation
- Reduce environmental footprint
- Renovate or expand facilities
Eligible Funding
- Minimum amount : 500 $
- Up to 90% of project cost
Timeline
- Open continuously
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Quebec
Legal structures
- Non-profit
- Sole proprietorship
- Public or Parapublic institution
- Non-financial cooperative
- Social economy enterprise
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- All groups
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Environment
- Economic, Social and Community Development
- Business Associations
Target groups
- Business owners / entrepreneurs
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- All dimensions
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Installation of energy-efficient equipment or systems in commercial, institutional, or industrial buildings.
- Installation or replacement of energy-efficient equipment or systems on farms.
- Implementation of energy efficiency measures to optimize electricity consumption in eligible buildings.
- Implementation of demand management measures to reduce power demand during peak events.
- Projects involving major renovations, expansion, or construction that incorporate energy efficiency upgrades.
- Implementation of efficient electrification projects that reduce or eliminate the use of fossil fuels by installing high-efficiency equipment powered by electricity.
Documents Needed
- Energy analysis proposal form
- OSE forms and completed project files
- Confirmation of project completion
- Invoices and proof of electricity billing under the required rate
- Conditions and Undertakings document
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Commercial businesses
- Institutional businesses
- Industrial businesses
Who is not eligible
- Public organizations
Eligible expenses
- Purchase costs of new energy-efficient equipment certified or approved by recognized independent bodies or Hydro-Québec.
- Installation costs of new energy-efficient equipment certified or approved by recognized independent bodies or Hydro-Québec.
- Purchase costs of new equipment for demand response measures, certified or approved by recognized independent bodies or Hydro-Québec.
- Installation or programming costs related to energy efficiency or demand response measures implemented in the project.
Eligible geographic areas
- Buildings located in Quebec.
Processing and Agreement
- Hydro-Québec reviews the submitted project for compliance.
- Additional information or documents may be requested.
- Hydro-Québec may visit the site to verify the work.
- The project is approved or the financial support is revised.
- The approved amount is communicated before payment.
Additional information
- The OSE (Outil Solutions efficaces) tool must be used for evaluating the amount of financial support and for submitting projects; different versions are available depending on project start dates.
- All documents submitted to Hydro-Québec, including reports and invoices, must be written in French unless an exception is provided under the Charter of the French Language and its regulations.
- Hydro-Québec may communicate directly with the applicant, partner, or aggregator at any time to verify information provided or to update on the status of the financial support application.
- Hydro-Québec reserves the right to close the applicant’s file if the required invoice is not submitted within 30 days of their request.
- If a project covers both buildings under Rate G and those under other business rates, the incentive calculation will apply rules appropriate to each rate segment.
- For new buildings, an electricity billing history of at least three months is required before financial support is disbursed, and only if the building is permanently billed under Rate G following construction.
- Subsidies are not granted for projects that are mandatory for legal or regulatory compliance.
- Public organizations are not eligible under this Small Business Component and must apply under the "Medium and Large Businesses" component.
- The incentive for partners or aggregators is only paid if the total eligible financial support across all their projects reaches or exceeds $50,000 in the calendar year; otherwise, their projects’ incentives may be transferred to Medium and Large Businesses rules.
- Participants, partners, or aggregators are encouraged to subscribe to Hydro-Québec’s business newsletter to stay informed about program updates and additional offers.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Efficient Solutions Program — Small Business Component Program
Here are answers to the most common questions about the Efficient Solutions Program — Small Business Component. 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.
What is the Efficient Solutions Program — Small Business Component?
The program provides financial support to small businesses in Quebec for energy efficiency and demand response projects in commercial, institutional, and industrial buildings.
How much funding can be received?
Efficient Solutions Program — Small Business Component Funds up to 90% of admissible expenses.
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:
Project must use OSE tool
Project must be completed first
Rate G proof required
What expenses are eligible under Efficient Solutions Program — Small Business Component?
Installation of energy-efficient equipment or systems in commercial, institutional, or industrial buildings.
Installation or replacement of energy-efficient equipment or systems on farms.
Implementation of energy efficiency measures to optimize electricity consumption in eligible buildings.
Implementation of demand management measures to reduce power demand during peak events.
Projects involving major renovations, expansion, or construction that incorporate energy efficiency upgrades.
Implementation of efficient electrification projects that reduce or eliminate the use of fossil fuels by installing high-efficiency equipment powered by electricity.
Who can I contact for more information about the Efficient Solutions Program — Small Business Component?
You can contact Hydro-Québec by email at affaires@hydroquebec.com or by phone at 1-800-463-9900.
Where is the Efficient Solutions Program — Small Business Component available?
The Efficient Solutions Program — Small Business Component program is available the province of Quebec.
Is the Efficient Solutions Program — Small Business Component a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Efficient Solutions Program — Small Business Component is a Grant and Funding