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Remote First Nations Energy-Efficiency Program
Last Update: March 16, 2026
Ontario, Canada
Funds remote First Nations energy-efficiency upgrades for homes and businesses
Grant and Funding
Overview
The IESO’s Save on Energy Remote First Nations Energy-Efficiency Program (RFNEEP) provides funding support (maximum amount not specified) to eligible remote First Nations communities in Ontario to implement energy-efficiency projects that reduce energy costs and improve comfort in homes and businesses. Eligible activities include a free energy audit and, for qualified participants, no-cost measures such as ENERGY STAR® LED bulbs, smart power bars, water-saving measures, appliance replacements, insulation and draft-proofing upgrades, and commercial lighting and thermostat upgrades.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increasing community impact
- Reduce the ecological footprint
- Renovate your business/factory
Eligible Funding
- No Condition
Timeline
- Open continuously
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Utilities
- Construction
Location
- Ontario
Legal structures
- Public or Parapublic institution
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
- Rural or Northern Residents
Activities funded
- Conduct energy audits for homes and businesses to assess energy use.
- Implement energy-efficiency upgrades in homes.
- Replace or upgrade household appliances to more energy-efficient models.
- Complete insulation and draft-proofing improvements in homes.
- Install energy-efficiency upgrades in businesses (e.g., lighting retrofits and controls, thermostats).
Eligibility
- The applicant must be a business located in an eligible remote First Nations community in Ontario.
- The business must be in one of the following communities: Bearskin Lake, Deer Lake, Kasabonika Lake, Keewaywin, Kingfisher Lake, Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug, Muskrat Dam, North Caribou Lake, North Spirit Lake, Pikangikum, Poplar Hill, Sachigo Lake, Sandy Lake, Wapekeka, or Wawakapewin First Nation.
- The project must be an energy-efficiency initiative identified through a free energy audit (e.g., commercial LED lighting retrofits, lighting control sensors, smart thermostats).
- The business must meet the program’s eligibility requirements as reviewed during the sign-up process with the program delivery partner.
Who is eligible?
- Businesses located in eligible remote First Nations communities in Ontario
Eligible expenses
- Energy audit for homes and businesses.
- ENERGY STAR® certified LED bulbs, smart power bars, outdoor timers, and water-saving measures (low-flow showerheads, faucet aerators, hot water tank wrap, pipe insulation).
- Replacement of appliances (refrigerators, chest freezers, window air conditioners, dehumidifiers).
- Insulation and draft-proofing upgrades (attic insulation, caulking around windows, weather stripping for doors and attic hatches).
- Smart thermostats or programmable wall-mounted thermostats for baseboard heaters.
- High-efficiency bathroom automatic exhaust fan and duct.
- Commercial LED lighting retrofits, lighting control sensors, and smart thermostats.
Eligible geographic areas
- Ontario — the following remote First Nations communities: Bearskin Lake First Nation; Deer Lake First Nation; Kasabonika Lake First Nation; Keewaywin First Nation; Kingfisher Lake First Nation; Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug; Muskrat Dam First Nation; North Caribou Lake First Nation; North Spirit Lake First Nation; Pikangikum First Nation; Poplar Hill First Nation; Sachigo Lake First Nation; Sandy Lake First Nation; Wapekeka First Nation; Wawakapewin First Nation.
How to apply
2
Sign up for the program
- Sign up as an eligible household or business once the community confirms participation
3
Review requirements and agreement
- Review program eligibility requirements with the RFNEEP delivery partner representative
- Review the application process and participant agreement
Additional information
- The program is delivered by the IESO under the Save on Energy initiative.
- The program starts with a free energy audit for participating homes and businesses.
- With transmission connections planned for these communities, the program highlights energy efficiency as a timely opportunity to reduce energy costs and improve comfort.
- The IESO Indigenous Relations team is available to support communities throughout the process.
Contacts
SaveOnEnergy@ieso.ca