High Performance New Construction (HPNC) Program

What is it?

It's part of the Ontario Power Authority's energy conservation and management strategy. The High Performance New Construction (HPNC) program was developed to encourage the design and building of facilities that reduce the use of kilowatt hours of energy ( e.g. facilities that are more energy efficient and 'greener')

It's a three-year program and applications will be accepted until late fall 2010. Projects must be completed and energy savings verified by a Project Evaluator by the end of 2012.

What is the benefit to your company?

You could receive incentives for integrating energy efficiency into your plans. The value of the incentives available depends on the total number of kilowatts saved, the level of reductions above the minimum requirements set out for energy efficiency in new buildings and whether the building is in the prescriptive or custom stream.

For Example . . .

As the building owner, you may receive incentives of $250 to $400 per kilowatt saved. You further benefit because energy efficiency means lower operating costs and greater marketability in the future. Architects who incorporate energy efficiency into eligible building designs are also eligible for $50 - $100 per kilowatt saved.

Who Qualifies?

Building owners and architects with projects in Ontario outside the 416 area code can qualify.

What Qualifies?

The Program targets:

• new construction projects in the planning stages, and
• major renovations of existing buildings that meet the program's energy reduction requirements.

For Example…

New construction - includes construction of a new building, additions to existing buildings, alterations to existing buildings which convert the building to another use.

Major renovation - involves replacing at least two major building systems and the renovation must be such that the building is unsuitable to be occupied for a minimum of 30 days during the renovation.

Projects can be industrial buildings, offices, retail space, multi-unit residential buildings, affordable housing, colleges, universities, schools, hospitals, long-term care facilities, hotels and motels.

Prescriptive projects must be able to achieve a minimum of $1,000 in incentives to qualify while custom projects must be able to achieve a minimum of $10,000.

A prescriptive project is a project where you use specific energy efficiency measures already defined or 'prescribed' by the Ontario Power Authority. In a custom project, the energy efficiency measures are installed and savings are determined using specific modelling software.

How do I apply?

Applications are accepted on a continuous intake basis until late fall 2010 and forms are available on-line.

Where can I find more information?

High Performance New Construction (HPNC) website or you can reach a representative by email at hpnc@enbridge.com.