First Nations Community Building Retrofit Program
Increased incentives! Now receive up to $330,000 in funding to implement energy-efficiency projects in your community.
The Save on Energy First Nations Community Building Retrofit Program (FNCBRP) provides funding and technical support to on-reserve First Nation communities to undertake energy-efficiency projects. These projects are intended to help communities improve the energy efficiency of their band-owned commercial and institutional facilities, manage their electricity use more effectively, and save on energy costs.
What does the program offer?
The FNCBRP offers, at no cost to eligible participating communities:
- Up to $330,000 in funding for the installation of energy-efficiency upgrades in on-reserve band-owned and operated commercial and institutional facilities.
- On-site energy assessments and an audit report identifying energy-efficiency projects in up to 15 facilities chosen by the participant.
- A community benchmark report to compare the energy use of these facilities with other similar facilities with the goal of prioritizing them for further assessment.
- Project support from Save on Energy’s program delivery partner with identifying, engaging and coordinating installation contractors.
This program is delivered through either a direct install or a community install approach to best suit community needs and preferences. More details on each approach is provided below.
- Save on Energy’s program delivery partner will handle the entire installation process on your community’s behalf. This includes everything from searching for a qualified contractor to obtaining quotes and scheduling installations, and even project management and cleanup.
- Includes the direct installation of a variety of energy-efficiency measures to upgrade indoor and outdoor lighting, smart thermostats, window air conditioning, and improved vending machine controls.
- All on-reserve band-owned commercial and industrial facilities are eligible under this approach.
- Participating communities oversee the entire project and installation process with support from Save on Energy’s program delivery partner.
- Up to $10,000 of the $330,000 in funding is available to conduct a feasibility study for the installation of more complex retrofit projects in eligible facilities – including but not limited to – variable frequency drives for pumps, fans in wastewater treatment plants, retrofits to ice rink refrigeration systems.
- Eligible facilities in this approach – including but not limited to – water and wastewater treatment plants, arenas and street lighting.
Eligibility
- All on-reserve First Nations communities in Ontario connected to the provincial electricity grid are eligible to participate.
- Commercial and institutional facilities must be located on band-owned land and operated for the use and benefit of the community.
- An executed Band Council Resolution is required.
The full list of eligibility criteria can be found in the program requirements.
Benefits of participating
Apply today
Save on Energy is here to help you at any point along the way. To sign up, find out if your community is eligible, or to learn more about the program, contact us:
Key documents
FNCBR stories
Learn more about IESO funding programs supporting broad, equitable participation of Indigenous communities in Ontario’s energy sector.