Energy Efficiency News
Alberta introduces commercial lighting incentive program

The Government of Alberta is introducing a new commercial lighting incentive program that it says will give business owners some bright ideas to boost energy efficiency. Under a $4-million pilot program, Albertans who operate restaurants, offices, warehouses and other businesses are eligible for a provincial rebate of between $37,500 and $375,000, depending on the building type, when energy-efficient lighting is installed in their businesses. 

The initiative takes effect immediately and will provide a range of rebates, depending on the type of retrofits. All participants must undertake a pre-retrofit assessment and demonstrate the potential for energy savings to be eligible for rebates.

“Lighting accounts for approximately 50% of Alberta businesses’ annual electricity use,” said Alberta Environment Minister Rob Renner. “Commercial property owners play a crucial role in our commitment to improve energy efficiency, and this initiative will help curb the sector’s greenhouse gas emissions and lower business costs.”

The commercial lighting incentive program aims to reduce 191,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions, the equivalent of taking approximately 40,000 cars off the road by 2020. The rebate program will be administered by Climate Change Central, a non-profit organization.

“This energy-efficiency program is a great incentive for Alberta’s commercial property owners,” said Simon Knight, president and CEO of Climate Change Central. “We expect this to be one of our most popular programs and we encourage owners to apply quickly.”

The program will continue until December 31, 2011 or until funding is exhausted.

August 10, 2010  By  John Gilson