Commercial Energy Resources
The Commercial Energy Loan Program financing can often be combined ("stacked") with rebates, grants, tax incentives, technical assistance programs, and other funding opportunities to reduce project costs and improve project feasibility. Applicants are responsible for confirming eligibility, funding availability, deadlines, and stacking rules directly with each program provider before making funding assumptions.
Commercial Energy Loan Program applicants are strongly encouraged to explore available grants, rebates, tax incentives, and technical assistance programs before finalizing their funding request. Receiving external funding may reduce overall project costs and improve project feasibility. Program eligibility, funding availability, deadlines, and stacking rules may change without notice and should always be confirmed directly with the funding provider before project approval.
Program Coaches
Contact the Program Coaches at BetterBuildings@saskatoon.ca or by phone at 306-986-1658. Better Building Program Coaches can assist with:
- Questions related to Commercial Energy Planner Set-up process
- Energy Star Portfolio Manager (ESPM) questions such as:
- Building onboarding
- Data collection and entry
- Questions related to the Commercial Energy Benchmarking map and interpreting the scorecards
- Questions regarding completing the Virtual Decarbonization Plan (VDP) and understanding the results
- Identifying next steps and possible retrofit opportunities
- Applying for the Commercial Energy Loan Program and navigating the application process
- Navigating other related programs, tools, and resources
- Stacking incentive programs
- Applying for HELP and navigating the application process
- General questions about energy and water efficiency retrofits
SaskPower Commercial Energy Optimization Program (CEOP)
Program Type
Utility incentive program and technical support service.
What it is?
The Commercial Energy Optimization Program (CEOP) provides free consulting services, project development support, business case assistance, energy management support, and financial incentives for commercial energy efficiency projects. SaskPower and SaskEnergy partner with CLEAResult to deliver the program.
Best For:
- HVAC upgrades
- Building automation systems
- Controls and VFDs
- Energy management systems
- Lighting upgrades
- Commercial energy efficiency projects
Available Incentives
- Up to 50% of eligible project costs
- Up to $100,000 per project per fuel type
- $0.13/kWh for non-lighting projects
- $0.06/kWh for lighting projects
- $15/GJ for natural gas projects
Additional Benefits
- Free Energy Support Services
- Energy Coach Services
- Business case development
- Incentive identification assistance
Limitations
- Manufacturing and resource extraction facilities may not qualify under some streams.
- Pre-approval may be required.
SaskEnergy Commercial Space and Water Heating Rebate
Program Type
Equipment rebate.
What it is
Supports installation of high-efficiency natural gas heating and domestic hot water equipment in commercial buildings.
Best For
- Boilers
- Furnaces
- Tankless water heaters
- Condensing water heaters
- Rooftop units
- HRVs/ERVs
- Infrared tube heaters
- Variable-speed ECM pumps
Available Incentives
- Furnaces: $325-$650/unit
- Boilers: up to $35,850 per building
- Tankless water heaters: rebates available
- Condensing water heaters: $5/MBH
- Rooftop units: $60/ton
- ECM pumps: equipment-specific rebates
Eligibility
- SaskEnergy commercial customers
- Saskatchewan properties
- Eligible equipment installed by a SaskEnergy Network Member or TSASK-licensed contractor
Clean Technology Investment Tax Credit (ITC)
Program Type
Federal refundable tax credit.
What it is
Provides a refundable tax credit on eligible clean technology equipment investments.
Best For
- Solar PV
- Energy storage
- Heat pumps
- Geothermal systems
- Certain clean-energy technologies
Available Incentive
Up to 30% of eligible capital costs for qualifying projects.
Limitations
- Available only to eligible taxable entities.
- Claimed after investment is completed.
- Labour requirements may apply.
Accelerated Capital Cost Allowance (CCA) Classes 43.1 and 43.2
Program Type
Federal tax incentive.
What it is
Allows accelerated depreciation of eligible clean energy and renewable energy equipment. Often complements the Clean Technology ITC.
Best For
- Solar
- Geothermal
- Renewable energy systems
- Heat recovery equipment
- Energy conservation equipment
Benefit
Improves after-tax economics and project cash flow through accelerated deductions.
FCM Green Municipal Fund - Sustainable Affordable Housing
Program Type
Study grants and technical support.
What it is
FCM’s Green Municipal Fund Sustainable Affordable Housing initiative supports eligible affordable housing providers planning deep energy retrofits or new sustainable affordable housing projects. The program is intended to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, lower operating costs, improve resident comfort, and support long-term affordability. Available supports may include pre-construction study grants, retrofit pathway planning, capital project funding, and no-cost planning resources, depending on the stream and current program availability.
Best For
- Affordable housing providers
- Non-profits
- Housing co-operatives
- Municipal housing providers
Available Funding
- One-time retrofit studies
- Retrofit pathway studies
- Regional Energy Coach support
- Funding strategy support
Regional Energy Coaches
Regional Energy Coaches provide free, one-on-one support to affordable housing providers, including municipalities, non-profit organizations, and housing co-operatives. Coaches can help participants identify and prioritize retrofit opportunities, understand technical requirements, develop project plans, review funding strategies, and navigate grant, loan, and incentive applications. For CELP participants, this support may help strengthen technical documentation such as energy audits, feasibility studies, business cases, project proposals, measurement and verification planning, and funding applications.
Additional Benefits
- Retrofit planning
- Funding strategy development
- Energy education resources
- Capacity building support
Climate Ready Infrastructure Service (CRIS)
Program Type
Free technical advisory service.
What it is
Provides expert technical assistance and options reports for climate resilience and low-carbon infrastructure planning.
Best For
- Flood resilience
- Green infrastructure
- Stormwater management
- Building resilience planning
- Infrastructure planning
- Affordable housing projects
Available Support
- Climate hazard assessments
- Energy audits
- Infrastructure options analysis
- Technical options reports
- Project planning support
Cost
Free. This is not a grant but a technical support service.
Eco-West Municipal Electric Vehicle Initiative (MEVi)
Program Type
EV charging infrastructure grant.
Best For
- Level 2 chargers
- DC Fast Chargers
- Workplaces
- Public charging
- Fleet charging
- Multi-unit residential buildings
- Municipalities and non-profits
Available Incentives
- Up to 50% of eligible costs
- Up to 75% for some Indigenous applicants
- Level 2 chargers: up to $5,000/connector
- DC Fast Chargers: up to $75,000/unit depending on size
City of Saskatoon Storm Water Management Credit Program
Program Type
Utility charge reduction.
Best For
- Green roofs
- Rain gardens
- Bioretention systems
- Permeable pavement
- Cisterns
- Detention ponds
- Infiltration galleries
- Stormwater quality improvements
Available Incentives
- Water quality credits: up to 20%
- Peak flow credits: up to 30%
- Onsite retention credits: up to 50%
- Maximum total credit: 50% of storm water charges
Saskatchewan Lean Improvements in Manufacturing (SLIM)
Program Type
Provincial cost-share grant.
What it is:
A provincial cost-share grant for agri-food and manufacturing facilities that supports productivity and efficiency improvements, technology adoption, and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions.
Best For
- Agri-processing facilities
- Manufacturing productivity improvements
- Energy efficiency projects
- Emissions reduction projects
- Feasibility studies
Available Funding
- Up to $750,000 depending on stream
- Cost-sharing rates up to 50%-60% depending on project type
Limitations:
- Only for agri-processing businesses
- Requires pre-approval before starting
NRCan Retrofit Hub
Program Type
Funding discovery and resource portal.
What it is
A centralized source of retrofit funding opportunities, financing options, rebates, incentives, standards, tools, and retrofit support resources for commercial, institutional, and multi-unit residential buildings.
Best For
- Identifying additional grants and rebates
- Funding scans
- Deep retrofit planning
- Institutional and commercial projects