CleanBC and BC Hydro Industrial Electrification program
Funding to help transition to electricity
The CleanBC and BC Hydro Industrial Electrification (IE) program creates a new, streamlined funding process to support industrial operations with large electrification projects to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Industrial Electrification funding is available to large industrial operations considering a transmission electrification project that meets the program requirements.
This new program makes it easier to apply for funding from the CleanBC Industry Fund (CIF) and our Low Carbon Electrification (LCE) Large Custom program, all in one application. It can help expedite funding approval and accelerate your electrification projects.
The offer
If your project is eligible, the Industrial Electrification program can provide:
- Capital funding for large industrial low-carbon electrification projects.
- Up to 75% of eligible project costs.
- Funding for BC Hydro Transmission Connection Studies (Interconnection Studies) associated with eligible Capital Projects.
- Up to 75% of eligible interconnection study costs.
The program will run on a continuous intake from April 2, 2024 to December 31, 2024.
To support your electrification project, you can apply for up to 75% of eligible capital project costs. If your project is receiving additional funding sources, you must fund at least 25% of your project’s budgeted eligible expenses.
Final funding amounts will be determined following evaluation by CleanBC and BC Hydro.
A consistent funding equation based on annual emission reductions will be used to calculate the maximum CleanBC funding amount.
Maximum project funding amounts from BC Hydro will be determined by the demonstrated financial need for funding and the levelized incentive $/tCO2e for the project.
| CleanBC | BC Hydro |
|---|---|
Contributes a maximum of $25M per project and up to 50% of eligible project costs. Reporting Operations may not exceed $25M in total Industrial Electrification funding. |
Contributes funding on a case-by-case basis.
|
| Total funding: Up to 75% of eligible project costs. | |
| Funding levels will be determined on a project-by-project basis. | |
Before proposed projects can connect to the grid, businesses must complete interconnection studies to evaluate the cost, feasibility, and impact of new load on our system.
The Industrial Electrification program provides funding for eligible transmission connection studies. BC Hydro administers eligible interconnection study funding on behalf of CleanBC.
- The CleanBC Industry Fund will contribute up to 75% of eligible study costs, up to $250,000.
- Reporting Operations may submit multiple applications, however total interconnection study funding will not exceed $250,000 per Reporting Operation.
- Cost increases for any reason including re-studies or scope changes aren’t eligible.
| CleanBC |
|---|
Contributes up to 75% of the study cost, to a maximum of $250,000. May not exceed a total of $250,000 per Reporting Operation. |
| Total funding: Up to 75% of eligible project costs. |
| Funding levels will be determined on a project-by-project basis. |
Eligibility
Your industrial operation may be eligible for Industrial Electrification funding if it meets the following requirements*:
- Is a "Reporting Operation" under the Greenhouse Gas Industrial Reporting and Control Act (GGIRCA), generally emitting over 10,000 tCO2e/year.
- Is an existing BC Hydro customer, or will become one upon completion of the capital project.
Find out more about the specific eligibility requirements below.
Review the Program Guide [PDF, 514 KB] for complete program information and requirements.
Your project may be eligible for capital funding if it meets the following requirements*:
- Must require a new connection or incremental energy consumption increase on the BC Hydro integrated grid, resulting in the need for a BC Hydro System Impact Study. This study must be underway prior to applying for capital funding and must have been started prior to April 2, 2024. Major distribution connection projects that have completed a conceptual review and have also initiated a detailed design may be exempt from a System Impact Study if all other eligibility requirements have been met. This will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
- The project must be sufficiently advanced in scope, budget and timeline estimates such that a funding agreement can be signed within 60 days of application.
- Reduces greenhouse gas emissions through low-carbon electrification of existing fossil-fueled equipment.
- Uses commercially available technologies proven at a commercial scale.
- Project has not started or is not scheduled to start before notification of successful funding.
- Project must not have reached a final investment decision or have already received funding approvals from CleanBC and BC Hydro.
- Project does not solely increase production capacity or is not a greenfield development.
- Project must be fully operational by March 31, 2029, unless otherwise approved.
Review the Program Guide for complete program information and requirements.
Your interconnection study may be eligible for IE funding if it meets the following requirements*:
- The prospective interconnection study is required for a Capital Project that meets capital funding eligibility requirements noted above.
- The interconnection study is a BC Hydro System Impact Study (Step 1 or Step 2) or Facilities Study for a transmission connection. Conceptual reviews and detailed designs for distribution connections, Interconnection Feasibility Studies and other Feasibility Studies are not eligible.
- The interconnection study must not already be underway.
- Final investment decision for the capital project has not been made.
Review the Program Guide for complete program information and requirements.
If your project isn’t eligible for funding through the Industrial Electrification program, it may still be eligible under other CleanBC Industry Fund funding streams, or through our Low Carbon Electrification (LCE) Large Custom program.
Application process
If you choose to apply for funding, you'll follow the application process outlined below:
Capital projects
- Inquire: Contact your BC Hydro Key Account Manager (KAM) or the CleanBC Industry Fund Program Advisor to find out more about the application process and eligibility requirements.
- Complete the eligibility form: Use our pre-screening eligibility form to check if your project is eligible.
- Pre-proposal meeting: If your project appears to be eligible, we’ll schedule a pre-proposal meeting with you to review your project.
- Submit an application: If your project is deemed eligible, we’ll invite you to submit an online application form to apply for both CIF and BC Hydro LCE funding.
- Project evaluation: Your project will be evaluated for funding. We’ll notify you on the outcome.
Interconnection studies
- Submit a Transmission Voltage Customer Interconnection Data form: Upon receiving your form, we’ll prepare a cost estimate for the study and send it to you along with instructions for your next step.
- Complete the eligibility form: Next, you’ll complete the pre-screening eligibility form to confirm eligibility.
- Submit an application: You’ll review the cost estimate and fill out your application online with details of the funding request.
- Sign the study agreement: We’ll send you an interconnection study agreement, along with the funding contribution amounts, to be signed and returned.
- Pay your portion: If approved, you’ll pay for your designated portion of the estimated cost to BC Hydro at the project outset.
- Study proceeds: BC Hydro proceeds with the study.
