Clean Energy Funding

The federal government has launched a new $97 million ecoENERGY Innovation program designed to support the development and deployment of new clean energy technologies. Natural Resources Minister Joe Oliver announced the initiative this week, noting that support for clean energy technology was an effective way to both reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to create high-quality jobs.

The new initiative (ecoEII) will support technology research, development and demonstration projects in five areas: Energy Efficiency, Clean Electricity and Renewable energy, Bioenergy, Electrification of Transportation, and Unconventional Oil and Gas. Support will be provided through two streams, one for R&D projects and a separate fund for demonstration projects. Funding for pre-commercialization demonstration projects will focus on the integration of renewable energy into the electricity grid and the built environment.

Invitations for ‘Expressions of Interest’ were issued calling for outlines of proposed projects, preliminary cost estimates and anticipated timelines. Applicants accepted for further consideration will be invited to prepare full proposals detailing work plans, milestones, collaborators and areas of risks.

Eligible proponents for demonstration project funding include Canadian companies, electricity and gas utilities, industry and research associations, academic institutions, provincial, territorial and municipal government agencies, and aboriginal groups. Further information on demonstration project funding and the initiative is available at ecoenergyinnovation.nrcan.gc.ca.