Energy Savings for Business Program
AB, Canada
Funding for Alberta SMEs to improve efficiency
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|fromMinToMax
- grant_single|projectCostPercent
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|closingDateSeptember 30, 2023
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Utilities
- Manufacturing
- Retail trade
- Accommodation and food services
- Other services (except public administration)
grant_single|grantors
- Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA)
- Government of Alberta
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|closed
grant_single_labels|preview
Get a grant of up to $250,000 when you undertake a project to update your equipment, building or power source by adopting emissions reduction technologies, if your organization is serviced by an Alberta electric utility.
grant_single_labels|projects
Yes, there are projects and activities eligible for this grant.
- Compressed air measures
- Process heating
- Refrigeration
- Food service equipment
- HVAC systems
- Motors and drives
- Water heating
- Combined heat and power (CHP)
- Lighting systems
- Building envelope and windows
- Geothermal
- Agricultural lighting
- Waste energy recovery
- Solar air heating
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$130,000
Calgary
Install energy-efficient HVAC system in community center to improve air quality and reduce costs
$65,000
Medicine Hat
Enhance lighting systems in public library to boost energy efficiency and reduce operating costs
$175,000
Edmonton
Upgrade refrigeration system in food processing plant to reduce energy consumption by 20%
$150,000
Red Deer
Integrate waste energy recovery system in manufacturing facility to boost efficiency and lower emissions
$100,000
Lethbridge
Introduce solar air heating system in agricultural greenhouse to enhance energy efficiency
$200,000
Banff
Implement combined heat and power system in a small hotel to enhance energy efficiency and resilience
grant_single_labels|admissibility
The Energy Savings for Business Program is designed for small and medium-scale enterprises in Alberta to reduce emissions and decrease operating costs. Eligible businesses must be serviced by an Alberta electric utility and meet specific project criteria.
- Businesses and non-profits serviced by an Alberta electric utility
- Individual businesses
- Non-profit organizations
- Co-operatives
- Private schools not eligible for government funding
- The common spaces and equipment in multi-unit residential buildings
- Farms registered as a business
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
The Energy Savings for Business Program is designed to support the more than 160,000 small- and medium-scale enterprises in Alberta. All business and non-profits serviced by an Alberta electric utility are eligible, with certain exceptions.
- Individual businesses
- Non-profit organizations
- Co-operatives
- Private schools not eligible for government funding
- The common spaces and equipment in multi-unit residential buildings
- Farms registered as a business
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
The grant is not available for certain types of companies, including municipally, federally and provincially owned buildings, publicly funded institutions, and Large Emitters as defined under Alberta’s TIER regulation. All businesses and non-profits serviced by an Alberta electric utility are eligible with specific exemptions.
- Residences
- Some new construction projects
- Municipally owned buildings
- Federally owned buildings
- Provincially owned buildings
- Publicly funded institutions
- Large Emitters as defined under Alberta’s TIER regulation
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
Yes, there are eligible expenses for this grant which are specific to the purchase or installation of eligible measures. These include equipment costs, labour, and related services directly required for the project.
- Energy modelling costs
- Engineering costs (structural, electrical, civil, geotechnical)
- Permit costs
- Inspection costs
- Procurement and construction costs
- Equipment purchase costs
- Installation equipment costs (e.g., cables, conduits, racking or anchors)
- Installation labour costs
- Costs of interconnecting with the electrical and/or natural gas distribution system
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
The eligible geographic zone for this grant is Alberta. Projects must take place at facilities located within Alberta to qualify.
- Must be located within Alberta
- Serviced by an Alberta electric utility
grant_single_labels|criteria
The Energy Savings for Business (ESB) program evaluates applications based on a set of eligibility criteria, including the types of participants and facilities, eligible projects, and eligible contractors. Applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis, with project incentives calculated according to specific guidelines.
- Participants and Facilities: Must be located in Alberta and meet specific operational and ownership requirements.
- Projects: Must contain eligible measures installed at an eligible facility.
- Contractors: Must be registered businesses in Alberta with specific qualifications and insurances.
- Eligible Measures: Must be new, commercially available high-efficiency products and onsite energy generation technologies.
- Pre-Approval: Applications must receive a pre-approval notice to reserve project incentive funds.
- Incentive Calculation: Based on predefined incentives for eligible measures with caps on project and parent company incentives.
- Stacking of Incentives: Not allowed with TIER-related programs but permissible with other programs like BERA, provided the intent is declared.
- Change Requests: Must be submitted for major changes or to amend pre-approved applications.
- Project Completion: All installations must be completed and documented within specified deadlines.
- Evaluation: Includes virtual or on-site visits to ensure measures were installed and are operational, with post-project documentation required.
grant_single_labels|register
- Step 1: Register
- Familiarize yourself with all program information and resources.
- Register to create an account within the program portal.
- Provide basic information (name, address, contact details, etc.).
- Consent to Licensing, Privacy Policy, and CASL.
- Receive email confirmation of successful registration.
- Step 2: Submit Application
- Initiate a new project and fill in the required project information in the portal.
- Assign an Eligible Contractor if desired.
- Provide types and quantities of all Eligible Measures.
- Upload required documentation (e.g., specification sheets, quotes, warranty confirmation).
- Submit the application for pre-approval.
- Receive an automated notification indicating successful submission.
- Undergo technical review; make changes if requested by the reviewer.
- Receive notification of review outcome and Participant Acceptance for approved projects.
- Step 3: Project Installation
- After receiving the Pre-approval Application Notice, begin purchasing and installing Eligible Measures.
- Step 4: Post-Project Application
- Complete and submit Project Completion Documentation and the Post-Project Application in the portal.
- Assign an Eligible Contractor to support detailed submission if desired.
- Provide invoices, proof of payment, and any other required documentation.
- Review and submit the Post-Project Application for review.
- Respond to any requests for clarification or additional information from the reviewer.
- Participate in a virtual or in-person site visit if selected for verification.
- Receive Payment Recommendation notification for approved submissions.
- Step 5: Receive Project Incentive
- Follow instructions in the portal to provide banking information.
- Receive incentive payment through Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT) or by cheque.
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
The Energy Savings for Business Program is highly demanded, and all current funding is allotted, with new applications being added to a wait list; the program aims to help Alberta businesses reduce emissions and decrease operating costs, offering a range of eligible high-efficiency products and energy generation technologies. Participants must meet specific eligibility criteria, the deadline for project completion is September 30, 2023, and applicants can call the dedicated contact center for support.
- All current funding has been awarded; new applications will be added to a wait list.
- The program offers incentives up to $250,000 per project and $1 million per parent company.
- Range of eligible products includes compressed air measures, process heating, refrigeration, HVAC, motors, water heating, combined heat and power, and more.
- Projects on the wait list are not guaranteed funding.
- Deadline for project completion is September 30, 2023.
- Participants can request extensions through a Change Request to ERA.
- Dedicated contact center available for support via multiple contact methods.
- Program resources include guides, checklists, and instructional videos.
- Eligible participants include individual businesses, non-profits, co-operatives, and specific other entities within Alberta.
- Participants may stack incentives with other programs, such as the BERA program in Edmonton.
grant_single_labels|contact
support@esbprogram.ca
844-407-0025
Apply to this program
Energy Savings for Business Program Overview
The Energy Savings for Business (ESB) program in Alberta aims to empower local businesses to reduce energy consumption, lower operating costs, and minimize greenhouse gas emissions through financial incentives for implementing energy-efficient technologies. Although the current funding is exhausted, businesses can still join the waitlist for future funding opportunities.
Detailed Explanation of the Energy Savings for Business Program
The Energy Savings for Business (ESB) program is an initiative designed to support Alberta-based small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in their efforts to reduce energy consumption, lower operational costs, and enhance their competitive edge. With a strong focus on sustainability and economic recovery, this program offers financial incentives to enable businesses to adopt cost-effective energy efficiency measures. Here, we will delve into the details of this program, its benefits, eligibility criteria, and how businesses can participate.
Program Objectives and Benefits
The primary objectives of the ESB program are to facilitate a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, encourage the adoption of energy-efficient technologies, and support the economic recovery of Alberta businesses. By doing so, the program aims to create skilled jobs, improve business operations, and promote a more competitive business environment.
The key benefits of the ESB program include:
- Financial Incentives: Businesses can receive up to $250,000 per project and up to $1 million per parent company. These incentives can significantly offset the costs associated with implementing energy-saving technologies.
- Cost Savings: By adopting energy-efficient measures, businesses can reduce their energy consumption, resulting in lower utility bills and operational costs.
- Environmental Impact: Reducing energy consumption helps decrease greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly business practice.
- Competitive Edge: Improved energy efficiency can lead to enhanced business operations and productivity, giving businesses a competitive advantage in their respective markets.
- Job Creation: The program supports the creation of skilled jobs in the energy efficiency sector, contributing to local economic growth.
Eligible Technologies and Measures
The ESB program supports a wide range of high-efficiency products and onsite energy generation technologies. These measures are designed to be cost-effective and provide substantial energy savings. Eligible technologies include:
- Compressed air measures
- Process heating
- Refrigeration
- Food service equipment
- HVAC systems
- Motors and drives
- Water heating
- Combined heat and power (CHP)
- Lighting systems
- Building envelope and windows
- Geothermal systems
- Agricultural lighting
- Waste energy recovery
- Solar air heating
An updated and detailed list of eligible measures and incentives is available on the program's website, ensuring businesses have access to the most current information.
Eligibility Criteria
The ESB program is designed to support more than 160,000 small and medium-sized enterprises within Alberta. To be eligible for the program, businesses must meet specific criteria, including:
- Being an individual business, non-profit organization, cooperative, or private school not eligible for government funding.
- Being serviced by an Alberta electric utility and located within Alberta.
- Not being a residence, new construction project, municipally, federally, or provincially owned building, publicly funded institution, or Large Emitter as defined under Alberta’s TIER regulation.
Farms registered as businesses and common spaces and equipment in multi-unit residential buildings are also eligible for the program. It's important to note that even if some of a TIER-regulated company's facilities don't fall under the regulations, such as their head office, they may still be eligible for incentives.
Application Process
The application process for the ESB program is designed to be streamlined and efficient, ensuring businesses can quickly access the available incentives. The steps involved in the application process include:
- Registration: Businesses need to register and log in to the Energy Savings for Business program portal.
- Submit an Application: Complete the necessary application forms, including project details and required documentation. Each project must meet specific timeline requirements and follow the criteria outlined in the Participant Terms and Conditions.
- Pre-Approval: Once the application is submitted, it will be reviewed for eligibility. If approved, the business will receive a pre-approval notice. Due to high demand, all current funding has been awarded, and new applications are being added to a wait list.
- Project Implementation: After receiving pre-approval, businesses can proceed with their projects, ensuring they meet the specified completion deadlines.
- Post-Project Documentation: Upon project completion, businesses must submit the necessary post-project documentation to verify the implementation of the energy-saving measures.
- Incentive Payment: Once the post-project documentation is reviewed and approved, the financial incentives will be disbursed to the business.
For projects currently in progress, the completion deadline has been extended until September 30, 2023. Any new applications will receive a default completion deadline of six months. Larger and more complex projects may request an extension, which will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Pre-approved projects can also request short extensions if more time is needed to complete the project.
Businesses requiring an extension must submit a Change Request to the ERA for approval. Approved deadline extensions will be documented on the application approval form. Detailed information on the application process, checklists, program guidebook, and instructions can be found on the ESB program's website.
Program Support and Resources
The ESB program offers various resources and support to assist businesses throughout the application process. These include:
- Resources Page: A comprehensive resources page featuring videos, checklists, and critical program information.
- Dedicated Contact Centre: A team of experts is available Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. to answer any questions about the program and the application process. Businesses can reach out via email, toll-free numbers, or local phone numbers provided on the program's website.
The program's website also provides essential documents such as the Participant Terms and Conditions, Contractor Code of Conduct, Eligible Measures List, and detailed application process and checklists for different types of technologies. These resources ensure businesses have all the necessary information and support to successfully participate in the ESB program.
Future Opportunities and Program Updates
With current funding fully allocated, businesses are encouraged to join the waitlist for future funding opportunities. The ESB program is dedicated to continuous improvement and expansion, providing updates and additional financial incentives through various initiatives.
One such initiative is the Comprehensive Energy Savings (CES) stream, which offers additional financial incentives for participants bundling efficiency measures and adopting new technology types. This pilot program aims to achieve deeper emissions reductions and energy savings.
Another opportunity is the Emerging Technologies Pilot Program, which provides a pathway for Alberta businesses to propose effective, commercially viable technologies with a high return on investment that are not currently supported through the ESB program. These initiatives ensure that the ESB program remains dynamic and responsive to the evolving needs of Alberta businesses.
Conclusion
The Energy Savings for Business program is a vital initiative for Alberta-based SMEs looking to reduce their energy consumption, lower operational costs, and enhance their competitive edge. By providing substantial financial incentives and support, the program empowers businesses to adopt energy-efficient technologies, contribute to environmental sustainability, and support local economic growth.
While current funding is exhausted, businesses can still join the waitlist for future funding opportunities and stay informed about program updates and new initiatives. By leveraging the resources and support offered by the ESB program, Alberta businesses can successfully implement energy-saving measures and achieve their sustainability goals.
For more information, businesses can visit the ESB program's website, contact the dedicated support centre, or download essential program documents and resources to guide them through the application process.