Provincial program
Save on Energy: Retrofit Program
IESO (Independent Electricity System Operator), Ontario · Save on Energy
What it pays
Up to 50% of eligible project costs; Custom stream pays $1,800/kW or $0.20/kWh, whichever is higher; Prescriptive industrial EMIS pays $50,000 (facilities up to 400,000 GJ/yr) or $250,000 (above 400,000 GJ/yr); double incentive rates available in electricity-constrained regions (still capped at 50%)
Deadline: none stated on the source page
Incentives for electricity-saving upgrades at industrial and commercial facilities (HVAC/chillers, lighting and controls, variable-speed drives, manufacturing equipment and solar PV) via prescriptive (set) and custom (measured-savings) streams. The prescriptive stream also funds installation of an industrial Energy Management Information System (EMIS), i.e. the metering and monitoring layer itself.
Who qualifies
Owners or lessees of commercial, industrial, institutional, multi-residential and agricultural facilities in Ontario (tenants need owner authorization).
The provider confirms eligibility.
Program status
Re-verified open 2026-08-25, with no pause, waitlist or deadline. The June 30, 2026 program update is now IN EFFECT (Solar DER small-to-medium cut from $860/kW to $770/kW, LED grow lights -10%, horticultural/network lighting controls -15%, new prescriptive Clean Water Pump measure at $15/HP). Rates are updated in spring and fall. Confirm current rates before applying. The industrial EMIS incentive is funded by NRCan through GIFMP; note the $250,000 tier needs more than 400,000 GJ/yr, so most mid-size factories qualify at the $50,000 tier. Regional adders (double the standard $0.20/kWh and $1,800/kW rates, still capped at 50% of eligible costs) apply only in listed electricity-constrained Forward Sortation Areas: parts of Niagara, Kingston, South Huron, Perth, Pembroke, Kenora, Waubaushene, Barrie/Muskoka, Elmira and Peterborough/Belleville. THE GTA IS NOT AMONG THEM, and eligibility is by the first three characters of the facility postal code. Source: https://www.saveonenergy.ca/en/For-Business-and-Industry/Programs-and-incentives/Local-Initiatives. Since November 2025 this is no longer the only industrial electricity option: Save on Energy XLerate replaced the Industrial Energy Efficiency Program at $300/MWh (against Retrofit’s $200/MWh) and adds feasibility-study funding Retrofit does not offer, so a large project should be compared against that entry first.
Confirm current terms with the provider before budgeting. Report a correction to info@quantifyenv.com.
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