FortisBC — Custom Performance Program
BC, Canada
The Custom Efficiency Program by FortisBC offers funding to significantly enhance energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in industrial, commercial, and agricultural facilities.
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- grant_single|timelineUnspecified
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Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Utilities
- Manufacturing
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration
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- FortisBC
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grant_card_status|open
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The Custom Efficiency Program aims to improve energy efficiency in commercial, industrial, and agricultural buildings by providing funding for detailed energy studies and implementing energy conservation measures. Eligible projects must demonstrate significant potential for energy savings, such as reducing natural gas usage by a minimum of 1,000 GJ annually or electricity consumption by 50,000 kWh annually. The program offers substantial financial incentives to cover up to 75% of energy study costs and up to $1.5 million for implementing energy-efficient projects.
grant_single_labels|projects
There are several types of projects and activities eligible for funding under this grant.
- Energy studies to identify opportunities for cost-effective energy savings
- Implementing approved energy conservation measures identified in energy studies
- Projects that save a minimum of 1,000 GJ of natural gas annually
- Projects that save 50,000 kWh of electricity annually
- Agricultural lighting projects
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To be eligible for this grant, applicants must be FortisBC customers and meet specific project and consultant requirements.
- You must be a FortisBC natural gas customer under any rate class except Rate 1 and/or a FortisBC electricity customer or municipal electricity customer of Grand Forks, Penticton, Summerland and Nelson Hydro.
- You must be an owner or long-term leaseholder of a new or existing industrial or agricultural building or an existing commercial, institutional or multi-unit residential building or facility.
- You must select a consultant included in FortisBC’s list of approved consultants to perform a detailed energy study.
- For natural gas customers, your project must have the potential to save a minimum of 1,000 GJ of natural gas annually.
- For FortisBC or municipal electricity customers, your project must have the potential to save 50,000 kWh of electricity annually.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
The eligible types of companies for this grant include owners or long-term leaseholders of new or existing industrial, agricultural, commercial, institutional, or multi-unit residential buildings or facilities. These companies must also be FortisBC natural gas customers (excluding Rate 1), or FortisBC electricity customers, or municipal electricity customers of Grand Forks, Penticton, Summerland, and Nelson Hydro.
- Owners or long-term leaseholders of new or existing industrial buildings
- Owners or long-term leaseholders of new or existing agricultural buildings
- Owners or long-term leaseholders of new or existing commercial buildings
- Owners or long-term leaseholders of new or existing institutional buildings
- Owners or long-term leaseholders of new or existing multi-unit residential buildings or facilities
- FortisBC natural gas customers (excluding Rate 1)
- FortisBC electricity customers
- Municipal electricity customers of Grand Forks
- Municipal electricity customers of Penticton
- Municipal electricity customers of Summerland
- Municipal electricity customers of Nelson Hydro
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
Eligible expenses for the Custom Efficiency Program include costs related to energy studies and the incremental costs of implementing energy conservation measures.
- Energy study costs (up to 75% covered)
- Incremental cost of approved energy conservation measures
- Installation and operational costs of the energy conservation measures
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
Eligible geographic zones for this grant include the areas served by FortisBC's natural gas and electricity services as well as specific municipal electricity customers.
- FortisBC natural gas customers under any rate class except Rate 1
- FortisBC electricity customers
- Municipal electricity customers of Grand Forks
- Municipal electricity customers of Penticton
- Municipal electricity customers of Summerland
- Municipal electricity customers of Nelson Hydro
grant_single_labels|criteria
The grant does have evaluation and selection criteria to ensure that projects align with FortisBC’s goals of energy conservation and cost efficiency. These criteria help to assess the potential savings and feasibility of the proposed energy efficiency projects.
- The project must have the potential to save a minimum of 1,000 GJ of natural gas annually if the applicant is a natural gas customer.
- The project must have the potential to save 50,000 kWh of electricity annually if the applicant is a FortisBC or municipal electricity customer.
- The applicant must select a consultant from FortisBC’s list of approved consultants to perform a detailed energy study.
- Applications must be approved by a key account manager or technical advisor before accessing funding.
- The energy conservation measures must be installed and operational within 18 months of implementation incentive funding approval.
- The installed energy conservation measures must operate for at least 36 months after installation.
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- Step 1: Contact your natural gas key account manager or electricity technical advisor to discuss your project and request an application.
- Step 2: Schedule a project kick-off meeting between you, your engineering consultant, and FortisBC.
- Step 3: Receive approval in writing from an authorized FortisBC representative before commissioning or beginning the energy study, or purchasing or installing any of the proposed energy conservation measures.
- Step 4: Ensure approved energy conservation measures are installed and operational within 18 months of implementation incentive funding approval.
- Step 5: Operate the energy conservation measures for at least 36 months after installation.
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Approved energy conservation measures must be installed and operational within 18 months of implementation incentive funding approval, and operated for at least 36 months after installation.
- Contact information for questions: 1-866-884-8833 or [email protected]
- Participants must notify FortisBC if they receive additional funding from other organizations for energy conservation measures.
- Repayment of incentives may be required if additional funding is received from other sources.
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1-866-884-8833
Apply to this program
Custom Efficiency Program
The Custom Efficiency Program by FortisBC offers significant funding to natural gas and electricity customers in British Columbia for energy conservation measures. This initiative is aimed at improving energy efficiency in commercial, industrial, agricultural, and multi-unit residential buildings.
Comprehensive Guide to FortisBC's Custom Efficiency Program
FortisBC presents a unique opportunity for businesses and organizations to enhance their energy efficiency through the Custom Efficiency Program. This program is meticulously designed to help natural gas and electricity customers in British Columbia implement effective energy conservation measures (ECMs) to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and cut down energy costs significantly. Let us delve deeper into the specifics of this program, its eligibility criteria, funding mechanisms, application procedures, and the immense benefits it offers to participants.
Program Overview
FortisBC's Custom Efficiency Program stands as a beacon for energy efficiency, aimed at transforming B.C.'s energy future. The program primarily targets owners or long-term leaseholders of new or existing industrial or agricultural buildings, existing commercial, institutional, or multi-unit residential buildings, and facilities. By facilitating the adoption of custom energy-saving solutions, this program contributes to significant environmental and economic benefits.
Eligibility Criteria
For an applicant to be deemed eligible for the program, they must meet several specific requirements:
- Must be a FortisBC natural gas customer under any rate class except Rate 1, or a FortisBC electricity customer, or a municipal electricity customer in Grand Forks, Penticton, Summerland, or Nelson Hydro.
- Should be an owner or long-term leaseholder of a relevant building or facility.
- Must engage a consultant from FortisBC’s list of approved consultants to perform a detailed energy study.
- For natural gas customers, the project should demonstrate a potential annual savings of at least 1,000 GJ of natural gas.
- For electricity customers, the project should demonstrate a potential annual savings of at least 50,000 kWh of electricity. Note that indoor lighting projects aside from agricultural lighting are not eligible for this program.
Types of Funding Available
FortisBC offers several funding options to support energy conservation measures tailored to specific buildings or facilities. Here’s a breakdown of each funding type:
Energy Study Funding
One of the initial steps in the Custom Efficiency Program is conducting a detailed energy study to identify opportunities for cost-effective energy savings. FortisBC can cover up to 75% of the cost of this energy study. It is crucial that the consultant performing the study is on FortisBC’s list of approved consultants. The maximum energy study incentive is $37,500 for commercial building or agricultural lighting project participants.
Implementation Incentives
After identifying energy conservation measures through the energy study, participants can access implementation incentives to offset the incremental costs. Incremental costs are defined as the cost difference between the energy-efficient project and a less energy-efficient alternative.
The incentives are the lesser of:
- $6 per GJ over the measure life of a natural gas efficiency project.
- $0.03 per kWh over the measure life of an electric efficiency project (for FortisBC or municipal electricity customers).
- 75% of the invoiced project costs.
- A maximum of $500,000 for commercial building or agricultural lighting projects, or up to $1.5 million for industrial facilities.
Terms and conditions apply to ensure the fair distribution and effective utilization of the incentives.
Implementation Bonus
For participants who successfully implement one or more approved energy conservation measures, FortisBC offers an implementation bonus. This bonus is up to 25% of the approved energy study cost. The maximum bonus incentive for commercial building or agricultural lighting project participants is $12,500.
Application Process
The application process for the Custom Efficiency Program involves several crucial steps:
- Initial Contact: Reach out to your natural gas key account manager or electricity technical advisor to discuss your project and request an application form.
- Project Kick-off Meeting: FortisBC will schedule a meeting involving you, your engineering consultant, and FortisBC representatives to kick off the project officially.
- Approval: Ensure you receive written approval from an authorized FortisBC representative before commissioning the energy study or purchasing/installing any of the proposed energy conservation measures.
Program Deadlines and Commitments
The Custom Efficiency Program mandates specific deadlines and commitments to ensure timely completion and operation of the energy conservation measures:
- All approved energy conservation measures must be installed and operational within 18 months of receiving implementation incentive funding approval.
- You must operate the energy conservation measures for at least 36 months post-installation to ensure sustained energy savings and program effectiveness.
Contact and Support
FortisBC is committed to providing extensive support throughout your participation in the Custom Efficiency Program. If you have any questions or need further assistance, you can contact your natural gas key account manager or electricity technical advisor. Alternatively, you can call 1-866-884-8833 or email customprogram@fortisbc.com.
Benefits of Participating
Participating in the Custom Efficiency Program comes with a multitude of benefits for eligible customers:
- Cost Savings: By implementing energy-efficient measures, you can significantly reduce your utility bills.
- Environmental Impact: The program helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to a healthier environment.
- Enhanced Performance: Energy-efficient buildings often have improved indoor air quality, increased comfort, and better system reliability.
- Financial Incentives: Substantial incentives and bonuses make it financially viable to invest in energy conservation measures.
- Consultative Support: Access to approved consultants ensures expert advice and effective implementation of energy-saving strategies.
Conclusion
FortisBC's Custom Efficiency Program is a comprehensive initiative designed to help natural gas and electricity customers achieve significant energy savings. By providing extensive funding options, expert support, and clear guidelines, FortisBC empowers businesses to adopt sustainable practices, reduce energy costs, and contribute to a greener future. If you own or manage a relevant building or facility in British Columbia, this program offers a unique opportunity to enhance your energy efficiency and make a positive environmental impact.
