Save on Energy – Energy Performance Program
The Energy Performance Program (EPP) rewards customers who are able to make behavioural and operational changes that support capital investment projects, enabling them to grow their energy savings year over year.
Offered by Independent Electricity System Operator
Amount
Pay-for-performance incentive of $0.30/kWh for summer peak electricity savings and $0.08/kWh for non-summer peak savings, paid annually over three years (enrolments on or after January 1, 2025)
Quick eligibility check
Who can apply
Participants must:
- be owners and/or operators of commercial, institutional, or industrial facilities located in Ontario
- commit to participate for three years and commit to realize a minimum of five percent energy savings per facility within two years
- have 12 months of hourly interval meter data for each facility
What if I don’t have 12 months of hourly interval data?
The program requires that you have 12 months of hourly interval data for each facility. If you do not have 12 months of hourly interval data, it may still be possible that you are able to enrol.
Can I enroll in the Energy Performance Program if I'm participating in another Save on Energy program?
If there is a Retrofit Program project at the facility that has not yet reached post-project submission, you may still be eligible to enroll the facility in the Energy Performance Program.
You are eligible to participate in the Instant Discounts Program, however, the associated savings will be removed via a baseline adjustment.
About the funding
Three years of annual pay-for-performance incentives are available for applications approved by December 31, 2027.
- The program is based on a pay-for-performance model that encourages whole building energy performance improvements.
- Participants have choice and flexibility in implementing capital and non-capital energy-efficiency measures and are rewarded at the same incentive rate regardless of the types of projects/activities that have been implemented.
- Participants receive a performance incentive calculated as incentive rate multiplied by electricity savings. The electricity savings are determined by comparing metered consumption to their baseline energy model.
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- The incentive rates are defined as:
- $0.30/kWh for energy consumed on business days between June 1 and September 30 (inclusive), between the hours of 3 p.m. and 9 p.m. (EDT).
- $0.08/kWh for savings during non-summer peak hours.
What are the new incentive rates?
For participants who enroll on or after January 1, 2025, there is a new incentive rate of $0.30/kWh for electricity consumed during business days between June 1 and September 30 (inclusive), between the hours of 3 p.m. and 9 p.m. (EDT). The incentive rate for savings outside of summer peak hours has also increased to $0.08/kWh.
For participants who enrolled prior to January 1, 2025, their incentives will remain unchanged at $0.15/kWh for electricity savings during summer peak hours and at $0.04/kWh for electricity savings outside of summer peak hours.
When do I receive payment for the savings I have achieved in my pay-for-performance period?
You will receive an incentive corresponding to the approved savings achieved during each pay-for-performance period. You must submit an invoice for the savings incentive amount provided in the approved savings report plus applicable taxes to info@energyperformanceprogram.ca. Please allow eight to 12 weeks to receive your incentive payment.
How does the upfront pre-project incentive payment work?
Once a participant’s application is approved, the participant will receive an optional one-time advance of part of the anticipated performance incentive for each approved facility, calculated as follows:
Baseline Energy Consumption * 2.5% * $0.08/kWh
Is the upfront pre-project incentive payment mandatory?
No. Both the IESO and the participant enter into the program with the expectation of saving a minimum of five percent of the facility consumption, but the IESO understands that changed circumstances can impact a participant’s ability to meet this minimum requirement. The IESO is therefore offering participants the flexibility to forgo the pre-project incentive payment and to receive payment only for actual savings achieved through the pay-for-performance period reporting.
When do I receive payment if I elect to receive the upfront pre-project incentive? Is anything required for me to receive the Incentive?
You can elect to receive the upfront pre-project incentive after your facility has been approved to participate in the EPP. You must submit an invoice for the approved pre-project incentive amount plus applicable taxes to info@energyperformanceprogram.ca. Please allow eight to 12 weeks to receive your incentive payment.
Similar programs
| Program | Type | Amount | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enbridge Gas New Construction: Savings by Design Residential | Grant, In-Kind Support | Incentives of $1,650 per home for up to 50 homes (ENERGY STAR for New Homes) | Open |
| Enbridge Gas Retrofits & Custom Projects: Affordable Multi-Family Housing Program, Commercial Custom Retrofit Program, and Industrial Custom Engineering Program | Grant, In-Kind Support | Commercial Custom Retrofit: up to 50 percent of incremental project costs | Open |
| Save on Energy XLerate Program | Grant | Project incentives: $300/MWh of verified first-year electricity savings, up to 75% of eligible project costs, to a maximum of $15 million per project | Open |
| Savings by Design Commercial & Multi-Residential | In-Kind Support, Grant | Design expertise, at no cost to you | Open |
