Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada
www.aandc-aadnc.gc.ca
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ecoENERGY for Aboriginal and Northern Communities Program
- Project Categories and Range of Funding
- Applicant Eligibility
- Application Process
- Application Deadline
We are no longer accepting energy project funding applications at this time. Updated information regarding the application deadline for fiscal year 2012-2013 will be posted on this website as it becomes available. Thank you for your interest in our program.
The ecoENERGY for Aboriginal and Northern Communities Program is focused exclusively on providing Aboriginal and northern communities with funding support for clean energy projects. The program is part of a broader strategy to tackle climate change by taking action to reduce greenhouse gases and air pollution.
The overall objective of the ecoENERGY for Aboriginal and Northern Communities Program is to reduce or eliminate greenhouse gas (GHG) intensive (e.g., fossil fuels like diesel) generation of electricity and heat in Aboriginal and northern communities by supporting the development and implementation of cleaner energy sources (e.g., hydro or wind).
The Program also aims to increase understanding of climate change issues and the relationship to energy use, and will work to engage in partnership other federal departments/agencies and provincial/territorial energy utilities on this issue. The ecoENERGY for Aboriginal and Northern Communities Program will work with all Aboriginal and northern communities, including the approximately 175 remote communities that rely on diesel power generation, to improve energy efficiency and adopt alternative energy sources to reduce dependence on diesel fuel.
Project Categories and Range of Funding
The Program provides funding assistance to eligible Aboriginal and northern communities through all stages of project development that use proven technologies, including project identification and inception, feasibility and planning studies, financial and project management, equity partnerships, power purchase agreements and project completion.
The Program supports two streams of projects:
Stream A - Renewable Energy Projects
Renewable Energy Projects must implement renewable energy technologies for local energy generation and/or energy efficiency technologies for energy savings. Funding is available for pre-feasibility and feasibility studies of renewable energy projects that will result in 4,000 tonnes or greater of green house gas reductions over their lifecycle (normally considered to be 20 years).
Some examples of projects that may be suitable for funding under the Renewable Energy Projects stream include: the design and installation of a heat recovery system on a diesel generating plant; technical feasibility studies for a micro-hydro project; and, negotiation of partnership agreement(s) or business planning for a new wind energy farm.
Funding Available : up to $250,000 is available, depending on the size of the project and the stage of its development.Stream B - Energy Projects Integrated with Community Buildings
This stream of funding will provide funds for projects where an energy efficiency/renewable energy component is added to a new or existing (through a retrofit) community building in a community, such as community and/or health centers, schools, water treatment plants, band offices, arenas, or other community facilities such as these which are used by the community.
Funding Available : up to $100,000 is available, depending on the size of the project and the stage of its development.
Special Area Focus
Clean energy sustainability for off-grid diesel generator dependent communities has been identified as a key area of concern. Feasible clean energy projects in off-grid communities will be supported through contributions to these communities. Many of these communities will likely remain remote and on diesel for the foreseeable future, however investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency projects will make them more sustainable.
As this is the renewal of the ecoENERGY for Aboriginal and Northern Communities Program, projects that have previously received funds from the program between 2007-2011 will be included in the total maximum funding allowed for the 2011-2016 program.
Applicant Eligibility
Funds may be provided to any of the following organizations:
- Aboriginal and northern Communities;
- Band Councils;
- Tribal Councils;
- National Aboriginal organizations and other Aboriginal organizations, including professional organizations;
- Aboriginal community groups (volunteer groups, community associations and institutions); and
- Territorial governments and northern organizations.
Application Process
STEP 1- Application
- Please contact us to obtain a copy of the Proposal and Budget Template.
- Please review the Information for Applicants and the Project Development Considerations pages in order to ensure that your project meets all of the required criteria and the necessary documents are included in your submission.
- Complete all sections of the templates.
- Submit an electronic version of your templates by e-mail to ecoenergie-ecoenergy@aandc-aadnc.gc.ca
STEP 2 - Application Review
- Ensure that your application is complete and meets all the program criteria.
STEP 3 - Assessment
- Proposals will be assessed on their compliance with the program objectives and priorities, and the results/ impacts they are expected to achieve.
STEP 4 - Notification
- Once all departmental approvals have been secured, both successful and unsuccessful applicants will be informed of the final funding decision.
- If your project is approved, the Program will contact you to negotiate a Contribution Agreement with the Government of Canada which outlines the terms and conditions of funding.
Application Deadline
We are no longer accepting energy project funding applications at this time. Updated information regarding the application deadline for fiscal year 2012-2013 will be posted on this website as it becomes available. Projects are approved on a case-by-case basis based on the quality of the proposal.
For more information about the ecoENERGY for Aboriginal and Northern Communities Program, please contact us.
