Smart Renewables and Electrification Pathways Program
Accelerating Canada’s Low Carbon Future
The Smart Renewables and Electrification Pathways Program (SREPs) provides up to $1.564 billion over eight years for smart renewable energy and electrical grid modernization projects. This includes an additional $600 million for the program announced in Budget 2022. This program will significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions by encouraging the replacement of fossil-fuel generated electricity with renewables that can provide essential grid services while supporting Canada’s equitable transition to an electrified economy.
Program Intake Status
The program intake process is now closed. The program is no longer accepting revisions to project applications and is not accepting new applications.
To receive future program updates by email, send a request to sreps-erite@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca to be added to the SREPs distribution list.
Transforming Canada’s Electrical Grid and Supporting Renewables
SREPs will provide up to a maximum of $25M to eligible renewable energy and grid modernization projects during the construction phase. Projects must use market ready technologies and apply workplace equity, diversity, and inclusion components.
Mandatory outcomes of the program are to:
- Decrease greenhouse gas emissions from Canada’s electricity system;
- Increase the number of electricity system assets that can contribute to system reliability;
- Generate economic and social benefits, including job creation and increased equity, diversity and inclusion in the energy sector; and
- Increase renewable energy capacity or increase electrical grid accommodation of renewable energy;
Where applicable, the program will also increase meaningful Indigenous ownership of, and benefits from, smart renewable energy projects.
Projects eligible for funding are large-scale renewable energy projects capable of providing grid services, energy storage or grid modernization projects. For information on eligibility, please refer to the Generation and Storage Applicant Guide or the Grid Modernization Applicant Guide.
NOTE: Due to a large number of applications currently on hold, the program is only accepting revisions of existing applications at this time.
What projects are eligible?
Eligible Projects under SREPs include, but are not limited to, the permanent deployment of technologies listed below.
Understanding that First Nations, Inuit, and Métis partners experience unique barriers to participating in the energy transition, SREPs aims to enable and encourage their participation by providing greater funding percentages, as well as supporting smaller-sized projects. Please refer to the Applicant Guides for more information.
| Program Stream | Examples of Eligible Projects |
Max Eligible % of Total Project Costs |
Maximum Eligible Funding |
|---|---|---|---|
Established Renewables (Refer to Generation and Storage Applicant Guide) |
|
10% | $25 million |
Emerging Technologies (Refer to Generation and Storage Applicant Guide) |
|
30% | $25 million |
Grid Modernization (Refer to Grid Modernization Applicant Guide) |
|
30% for non-utility led 50% for utility-led |
$25 million |
Applicant Guides
How are projects chosen?
All projects that meet SREPs requirements, as defined in the Applicant Guides, are eligible for available funding. The program is not accepting new applications at this time. More information will be provided on this page if and when the program opens to new applications.
A portion of SREPS funding will be reserved for Indigenous-led projects, which may qualify for higher levels of project support.
Capacity Building
SREPs also offers a Capacity Building Stream to support the equitable transition to a cleaner electrical grid, helping communities and organizations acquire the knowledge and tools needed to develop renewable energy and grid modernization projects.
With additional funding, the program will allocate up to $25 million to capacity building projects. Further details related to the Capacity Building stream will become available early 2023.
Indigenous Engagement Grant Funding
Up to $50,000 per fiscal year in Grant funding is available for Indigenous Engagement and Consultations activities. To request an SREPs Grant application form, please email the program mailbox.
Have questions?
Email us at sreps-erite@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca
Keep up to date with future funding opportunities by subscribing to the Clean Growth Hub Newsletter.
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