Community Energy Systems: assess viable neighbourhood energy options
Grants up to CAD 100,000 for Canadian municipalities and their partners to assess low-carbon energy options for a site, choose preferred systems and explore how to own, operate and finance them.
Questa opportunità è attualmente disponibile in inglese.
Prepare an early business case that compares technical options and the organization’s ability to deliver them. It should identify one or more preferred neighbourhood-scale energy options, assess environmental, social and economic effects, estimate costs and income, recommend ownership, operation and financing arrangements, and identify partners and risks. Eligible work includes examining energy sources and local providers, potential customers, sites, legal requirements and delivery capacity.
The grant covers up to 50% of eligible costs, capped at CAD 100,000 for the business case. Up to 80% may be available for municipalities of 10,000 people or fewer and their partners; regional governments or municipal groups whose member municipalities average 10,000 people or fewer; eligible Indigenous communities; or Northern communities. Northern or eligible Indigenous communities applying to GMF for the first time may qualify for up to 100%. The North comprises the three territories and Statistics Canada’s designated northern parts of seven provinces, as defined on the official offer page.
The business case prepares for a feasibility study, which examines selected sites and solutions in detail. You may combine the two stages in one project, with a grant cap of CAD 200,000 for both stages together.
Eligibility
Canadian municipalities and municipal partners can apply: companies, municipal corporations, regional/provincial/territorial organizations delivering municipal services, nonprofits, NGOs and research institutes. An Indigenous community can lead through a Canadian municipal partnership or a shared-service agreement concerning municipal infrastructure, climate change or adaptation.
Options include district energy, such as shared heating serving several buildings, solar energy, ground-source heat pumps, wind turbines and heat recovery. At business-case stage you must account for the following system criteria, which must be satisfied in the later feasibility study: district energy requires at least two buildings; renewable electricity systems should be able to supply multiple systems and buildings. Thermal energy projects, which use heat, must reduce greenhouse-gas emissions associated with fossil-fuel or grid-electricity use by at least 40% against current performance, achieving the target within three years of implementation.
Burning biomass must form part of a broader low-carbon district energy system. In communities connected to a provincial or territorial electricity grid, biomass used for backup heating is eligible only when integrated into a broader low-carbon system incorporating heat recovery and renewable electricity. Biomass combined heat and power—producing both electricity and useful heat from the fuel—is excluded from this offer for those communities. Harvested wood is ineligible, with an exception for forest thinning to reduce wildfire risk. GMF evaluates Northern communities whose electricity system relies on fossil fuels case by case.
Assess greenhouse-gas impacts, the municipality’s economic benefit, and the roles of utilities, authorities and property holders. Consider rights to cross or use land, zoning and access needed for implementation. Include financial analysis of costs, income, return on investment and funding options. This is work to select and assess options; it does not require an already chosen ownership or operating model.
The equity assessment is mandatory. Examine people and groups facing systemic barriers or exclusion: who may benefit most and/or bear burdens directly or indirectly, their positive and negative impacts, measures to address barriers or reduce adverse effects, and relevant local data, reports or maps. This required assessment is separate from the broader preference for projects incorporating inclusive engagement, anti-racism, reconciliation and other social benefits.
How to apply
- Stato
- Aperto continuamente
- Restrizioni del bando
- Year-round subject to available funds; approval may be deferred to the next fiscal year. Business case alone: CAD 100,000 cap. Combined business case and feasibility study: CAD 200,000 for both stages.
Applications are accepted year-round until funds are allocated; approval may be deferred to the next fiscal year beginning 1 April. Discuss the project with GMF at gmfinfo@fcm.ca or 1-877-417-0550, create a Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) portal profile and submit a pre-application. If invited, submit the full application and GMF’s Excel project workbook, the supplied template for your budget, workplan and funding sources, with supporting documents. Only the authorized application contact submits; consultants cannot sign or submit on your behalf. Invitation does not guarantee funding.
Provide municipal support, a team chart and résumés, and letters for confirmed funding. A nonmunicipal lead needs a municipal contact and council partnership resolution with the pre-application, incorporation documents and CEO or CFO support. Municipal corporations document their municipal relationship and mandate. Indigenous applicants provide the partnership resolution or relevant shared-service agreement according to their route. All financing must be confirmed before the first payment, but need not be confirmed before submission. If a consultant has not been selected at pre-application, the guide allows answers based on what you know, identifying details dependent on later support.
Quebec municipalities and municipal corporations must have their pre-application approved by the ministère des Affaires municipales et de l’Habitation (MAMH). Submit through its municipal portal; MAMH checks compliance and forwards compliant applications to GMF.
Costs generally qualify after GMF receives the full application. Up to CAD 5,000 for writing it in the preceding 90 days may qualify. Expenses must be reasonable, essential and invoiced to the applicant. Follow the linked cost table’s expense-statement and external-audit requirements and retain records for seven years after final payment.
Payment documentation includes the completed business case or combined business case and feasibility study, final completion report, updated workbook with expense claim and confirmed funding sources, and a payment request. Progress reports apply for multiple payments or when requested.