Natural Resources Canada (NRC)’s Canadian Industry Program for Energy Conservation (CIPEC) is a federal funding program designed to help manufacturers improve their energy efficiency. The initiative awards Canadian small business grants to support projects that develop and implement industrial energy conservation practices and processes.
CIPEC provides industrial manufacturers with up to 50% coverage of eligible project costs to a maximum $40,000 in small business grants. The program divided into two unique funding streams, which include (1) Energy Management and (2) ISO 50001 Implementation Pilot projects.
If you’ve read the program’s overview and still have questions regarding eligibility factors, use this article to help determine whether your business qualifies for CIPEC funding.
Canadian Industry Program for Energy Conservation (CIPEC)
The NRC-Canadian Industry Program for Energy Conservation (CIPEC) helps manufacturers carry-out ISO 50001 implementation and energy management projects. The program is designed to help industrial energy users lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, while reducing the business’ energy consumption.
Eligible applicants may receive up to 50% coverage of eligible project costs to a maximum $40,000 in Canadian manufacturing grants.
The program is divided into two funding streams, which include:
- CIPEC Energy Management Projects: Access funding to reduce the cost of conducting projects that improve energy performance and cost-savings.
- CIPEC ISO 50001 Implementation Pilot Projects: Access funding to create practices/processes that lead to continuous energy improvement and include a verifiable ISO 50001 certification.
Who Is Eligible to Receive CIPEC Energy Conservation Grants?
To apply to the Canadian Industry Program for Energy Conservation, manufacturers must be registered as a CIPEC Leader. Eligible businesses must be occupying an industrial facility that uses excessive amounts of energy and produces high volumes of harmful GHGs . It is free to become a CIPEC Leader, however businesses must complete the registration process before they can start working on a CIPEC funded project.
What Types of Projects Are Eligible for CIPEC Small Business Grants?
The Canadian Industry Program for Energy Conservation provides funding to support two types of projects, including:
Energy Management Projects
To receive CIPEC funding through the Energy Management stream, projects must:
- Focus on the development and dissemination of energy efficiency tools and information;
- Include the development, organization and delivery of energy management training;
- Involve assessments, evaluations and benchmarking research studies;
- Include the development of technical guides and reports, implementation instructions and best practices studies;
- Demonstrate potential for learning and/or replication;
- Have results that can be disseminated to promote energy management best practices; and/or
- Have potential to recommend technical projects and practices that represent energy savings.
ISO 50001 Implementation Pilot Projects
To receive CIPEC funding through the ISO 50001 Implementation Pilot stream, projects must:
- Include the implementation of CAN/CSA-ISO 50001;
- Establish systematic processes to achieve continual improvement of energy performance;
- Receive support and commitment from the company’s senior management team; and
- Include the participation of employee and/or consultant with energy management standards (ISO, ANSI or others) experience.
What Project Costs Qualify to Receive Energy Conservation Grants?
The Canadian Industry Program for Energy Conservation will provide small business grants to support the following project costs:
- Conception of an energy baseline;
- Energy use assessments;
- Energy performance monitoring and reporting activities;
- Workforce training expenses; and
- Employee salaries for individuals working directly with the implementation of the ISO 50001 standards and/or energy management projects.
Ineligible Expenses
CIPEC does not provide Canadian government funding to offset expenses, such as:
- Purchasing equipment; and
- Infrastructure expansions and/or upgrades.
How to Apply for CIPEC Energy Conservation Funding
To get started, eligible applicants must submit a detailed project proposal that describes how the business plans to achieve its energy efficiency improvement plans. If the project provides a good fit for the program, Natural Resources Canada will contact successful applicants to sign a Contribution Agreement. Program participants will be reimbursement once the project concludes and final reports have been accepted by NRC.
To determine whether your business qualifies for CIPEC energy conservation funding, please contact Mentor Works.
Additional Canadian Industry Program for Energy Conservation Resources
- Program Overview: Learn more about the purpose of CIPEC funding, including who the program supports, the types of activities eligible for Canadian government grants, and when to apply.