The Government of Alberta and Natural Resources Canada have jointly announced a $50 million investment in a new program aimed at improving energy management in Alberta's industrial and manufacturing sectors.
The Strategic Energy Management for Industry (SEMI) program, launched by Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA), will provide crucial support to facility owners and tenants across the province until March 2027.
Announced on October 16, 2024, at the Lafarge Exshaw Cement Plant by Rebecca Schulz, Minister of Environment and Protected Areas, and Justin Riemer, CEO of ERA, the program officially opened for applications on October 17. The initiative is designed to help businesses reduce energy costs, enhance organizational skills, and cover expenses related to capital retrofits.
The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources for Canada, emphasized the program's importance, stating, "Supporting Canadian industry with their energy efficiency targets is a critical path towards meeting Canada's net-zero targets and improving competitiveness in a growing global economy."
SEMI will offer participants:
- Analysis of energy use
- Recommendations for improving energy management
- Support for strategic energy management programming
- Implementation of energy management information systems
- Assistance with capital retrofits
Eligible sectors include agriculture, forestry, mining, oil and gas extraction, utilities, construction, manufacturing, transportation, and waste management. To qualify, facilities must be owned or leased in Alberta and have been operational for at least one year.
Justin Riemer, CEO of ERA, highlighted the program's potential impact: "With SEMI, Alberta companies now have even more opportunity to invest in energy- and cost-saving technologies, right here in the province."
The funding breakdown for the program includes:
- $40 million from Natural Resources Canada's Green Industrial Facilities and Manufacturing Program
- $10 million from the Government of Alberta's Technology Innovation and Emissions Reduction (TIER) fund
ABOUT EMISSIONS REDUCTION ALBERTA (ERA)
For 15 years, ERA has been investing the revenues from the carbon price paid by large final emitters to accelerate the development and adoption of innovative clean technology solutions. Since ERA was established in 2009, over $956 million has been committed toward 292 projects worth over $8.5 billion that are helping to reduce GHGs, create competitive industries, and lead to new business opportunities in Alberta. These projects are estimated to deliver cumulative reductions of 37.7 million tonnes of CO₂e by 2030. Please visit https://eralberta.ca.
ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT OF ALBERTA
The Government of Alberta committed up to $10 million for the Strategic Energy Management for Industry program through the Technology Innovation and Emissions Reduction (TIER) fund. The TIER regulation is Alberta’s industrial carbon pricing and emissions trading system. It helps industrial facilities find innovative ways to reduce emissions and invest in clean technology to stay competitive and save money.
ABOUT NATURAL RESOURCES CANADA
Natural Resources Canada has provided $40 million in funding for the Strategic Energy Management for Industry Program through their Green Industrial Facilities and Manufacturing Program, which offers cost-shared financial support for a holistic and comprehensive suite of energy efficiency measures in Canada’s industrial sectors.