The Provincial Commercial New Construction Program provides funding for the design and construction of new high-performance buildings that use high-efficiency electricity in place of fossil fuels, in order to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Funding Categories

Energy Study Incentive up to $15,000

• • Paid upon approval of the energy study and review of applicable invoices.

Capital Incentives up to $500,000

• • Capital incentives are based on the amount of lifetime CO₂e reduced and are relative to the baseline building code of the project:
    • Incentives range from $30/t CO₂e to $120/t CO₂e
  • All eligible Northern customers* will receive an additional $10/t C02e incentive on all eligible measures installed. The total maximum incentive including the top-up offer is $625,000 per project.
    • * Eligible buildings must have a commercial utility account with BC Hydro and be located north of and including the District of 100 Mile House (latitude 51.628°N).
  • 100% of the capital incentive amount will be paid upon the Customer’s signed and returned Capital Incentive agreement subject to receiving sufficient proof in the form of either a Progress Draw, Paid Invoice, or fully executed Purchase Order(s) or Proof of Purchase of the approved building system(s) in an amount equal to or greater than 100% of the Incentive amount.
  • 100% Electrification BONUS up to $50,000: Projects further electrified from the baseline and built to 100% electric space, ventilation and domestic hot water heating (with no gas boiler as a backup) are eligible to receive a 10% bonus of the Capital Incentive.

Eligibility Requirements

1. You must have a Key Account Manager
2. The building(s) must be in BC Hydro service territory, including New Westminster
3. The project must:
   • Result in at least 400 t CO₂e in lifetime GHG savings
   • Involve a technology that provides net electrical load growth
   • Be new construction or major building renovation¹
   • Be at the end of the concept design stage

¹Major building renovations are defined as one of the following, all of which require a building permit and certified building plans by a licensed professional:

• Change of use and reconstruction of an existing building space or space within; or
• Change Construction work of a nature requiring the building or space within to be out of service for at least 30 consecutive days; or
• Renovations that are worth at least 50% of the existing building’s value and impact the building envelope.

Deadlines

• You have 9 months from the date of the signed Energy Study Agreement to complete the energy study.
• You have 36 months from the date of the signed Capital Incentive Agreement to implement the project.