2009/88 (a)
Backgrounder
ecoENERGY for Renewable Power
The ecoENERGY for Renewable Power program is providing about $1.48 billion to increase Canada's supply of clean electricity from renewable sources such as wind, biomass, hydro, geothermal, solar and ocean energy. This program is part of the Government of Canada’s $3.9-billion ecoENERGY initiatives.
The program is expected to encourage the production of up to 4,000 megawatts of new electricity from renewable energy sources — enough electricity to power about one million homes. In addition, by displacing fossil-fuel generation, this program will lead to avoidance of greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution equivalent to taking one million cars off the road.
Program Benefits
- ecoENERGY for Renewable Power will boost expansion of the renewable energy sector in Canada. The program will also help to make clean energy more affordable, resulting in clean energy electricity prices that are more in line with those of conventionally generated electricity.
- ecoENERGY for Renewable Power is providing an incentive of one cent per kilowatt hour for up to 10 years for power produced by low-impact renewable energy sources. This incentive is offered to eligible projects constructed between April 1, 2007, and March 31, 2011.
- The ecoENERGY for Renewable Power program is open to all low-impact renewable-energy technologies, including wind, small hydro, biomass, solar photovoltaic, geothermal, tidal and wave technologies.
For Additional Program Information
Contact the ecoENERGY for Renewable Power Program Web site at www.ecoaction.gc.ca/ecorp.
If you have questions about this program, inquire by e-mail at <ecoenergyrp@nrcan.gc.ca> or by fax at 613-995-8343.
Programs for Homeowners
The ecoENERGY for Renewable Power program is not intended for individual homeowners. People interested in renewable energy technologies for their homes may qualify for grants of up to $5,000 to offset the cost of making energy-efficiency improvements through the ecoENERGY Retrofit-Homes program. For more information, visit www.ecoaction.gc.ca/homes.
Media may contact:
Jocelyne Turner
Parliamentary Secretary
Office of the Minister
Natural Resources Canada
Ottawa
(613) 996-2007
Or
Media Relations
Natural Resources Canada
Ottawa
613-992-4447
The general public may contact:
Mon.–Fri., 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.EDT
Telephone: 613-995-0947
TTY: 613-996-4397
(teletype for the hearing-impaired)
E-mail: questions@nrcan.gc.ca
NRCan's news releases and backgrounders are available at www.nrcan.gc.ca/media/index-eng.php.