On-Farm Energy Management

On-Farm Energy Management, a Growing Forward initiative to increase your profitability and strengthen your competitive position.

Program Description

The On-Farm Energy Management program is designed to achieve incremental energy efficiency in Alberta agricultural operations, resulting in cost savings, energy conservation, and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. The goal of the program is to help Alberta producers find and fund ways of reducing their energy input per unit of production. The program runs from 2009 to 2013.

The program presently consists of three components: On-Farm Energy Assessment, Energy Efficiency Retrofits (available April 2010), and Energy Efficiency Construction.

The On-Farm Energy Assessment is a review and balance of a farm’s energy use, including electricity, natural gas, and petroleum fuels. Its goal is to understand and account for the energy used in production, and to identify areas or processes where energy can be saved. Assessments are conducted via phone interviews and farm visits by a trained assessor. Assessments are provided free of charge to eligible producers.

The Energy Efficiency Retrofits program is a financial incentive to retrofit high-efficiency systems and equipment into existing operations. Typically, qualifying retrofit equipment will be identified by the On-Farm Energy Assessment, which is a prerequisite for eligibility in the Energy Efficiency Retrofits program. Energy Efficiency Retrofits is scheduled for availability April 2010, but the required On-Farm Energy Assessment necessary to quality for retrofits is available now. Producers planning retrofits are encouraged to start the assessment process so they will be ready to apply for the retrofits program when it is available.

The Energy Efficiency Construction program is a financial incentive for using high-efficiency equipment in new building construction. A list of qualifying equipment is provided in the Energy Efficiency Construction Terms and Conditions. This list may be amended as new technologies become available and are verified for suitability for the program. An On-Farm Energy Assessment is not required to be eligible for Energy Efficiency Construction.

Program Eligibility

Current Alberta producers operating an agricultural facility are eligible for the programs under the On-Farm Energy Management initiative.

Eligible producers may apply for and receive funding from more than one program component. Producers are eligible to receive up to the maximum amount of funding for each program component, during the program period.

Facilities with more than one type of operation (e.g. a farm with a dairy and hog facility on the same yard) are eligible for On-Farm Energy Assessments and Energy Efficiency Retrofits as long as the different operations have separate utility meters. All operations are eligible for Energy Efficiency Construction regardless of how utilities are metered.

All On-Farm Energy Management programs are available to Dairy, Swine, and Poultry producers. At this time, only the Energy Efficiency Construction program is available to operations other than Dairy, Swine, and Poultry. Program details are in development to make all program areas available to all operations. This website will be updated as these programs become available.

Eligibility details and program terms and conditions are provided in the following documents:

On-Farm Energy Assessment Terms and Conditions
Energy Efficiency Retrofits Program Terms and Conditions (Available April 2010)
Energy Efficiency Construction Program Terms and Conditions

Available Funding

On-Farm Energy Assessments are available to eligible producers free of charge.
Energy Efficiency Retrofits (Available April 2010)

Requires On-Farm Energy Assessment.
Funding available for a substantial portion of cost of retrofit equipment for improved efficiency, as recommended by assessment report.

Energy Efficiency New Construction

Does not require On-Farm Energy Assessment
Funding available for approved energy-efficient equipment in new construction that quailifies as cost of production (includes construction of barns, shops; does not include residences or buildings used primarily for non-farm businesses)
Will pay 75% of approved new equipment costs, upt to $50,000

How to Apply

On-Farm Energy Assessments

An On-Farm Energy Assessment IS required before applying to Energy Efficiency Retrofits.

An On-Farm Energy Assessment IS NOT required to apply to Energy Efficiency Construction.

At this time, only Dairy, Swine, and Poultry operations are eligible for On-Farm Energy Assessments. Program details are in development to make all program areas available to all operations. This website will be updated as these programs become available.

Apply for a general Growing Forward registration number.
If you have not already done so, click here to access the general Growing Forward registration forms. Select the individual, corporate, or non-profit organization form appropriate to your operation. Your general Growing Forward registration number is required for all other Growing Forward program applications. Therefore it is important that you complete the general Growing Forward registration using the same name and information you intend to use when applying for all other Growing Forward programs. You only need to register once for a general Growing Forward registration number.
Review the program information.
Review the program information on this website. Additional information is available by contacting the program administrator, or through the Ag Info line at 310-FARM. Also be sure to review the program terms and conditions: On-Farm Energy Assessment Program Terms and Conditions
Complete and Submit the Application Form.
Click here to download the On-Farm Energy Assessment application form, or contact the Ag Info line at 310-FARM to have an application mailed to you. Submit the completed application with all required documentation to:

Growing Forward On-Farm Energy Assessments
201, 7000-113 Street NW
Edmonton, AB T6H 5T6
Successful Applicants will be contacted by a program coordinator or an assessor.
A program coordinator will review your application for completeness and may contact you for additional information. An assessor will then contact you to arrange a phone interview and farm visit to complete the assessment.
Successful applicants will be provided with an On-Farm Energy Assessment report detailing energy use and suggesting energy saving options for your farm.
Please allow approximately 6 weeks after the farm visit date for the assessor to complete the report and provide it to you. The assessor or a program coordinator may be in contact with you during that time if additional information is required to complete the report. You may communicate with your assessor during this time if you have ideas for efficiency improvements that you would like included in the report. After receiving the report, you can apply to Energy Efficiency Retrofits for funding to implement the changes recommended in the report.

Energy Efficiency Retrofits (available April 2010)

An On-Farm Energy Assessment IS required before applying to Energy Efficiency Retrofits.

At this time, only Dairy, Swine, and Poultry operations are eligible for Energy Efficiency Retrofits. Program details are in development to make all programs available to all operations. his website will be updated as these programs become available.

Apply for a general Growing Forward registration number.
If you have not already done so, click here to access the general Growing Forward registration forms. Select the individual, corporate, or non-profit organization form appropriate to your operation. Your general Growing Forward registration number is required for all other Growing Forward program applications. Therefore it is important that you complete the general Growing Forward registration using the same name and information you intend to use when applying for all other Growing Forward programs. You only need to register once for a general Growing Forward registration number.
Have an On-Farm Energy Assessment.
Having an assessment is a prerequisite of the Energy Efficiency Retrofits Program. To apply for an assessment, follow the steps above for On-Farm Energy Assessment.
Review the program information.
Review the program information on this website. Additional information is available by contacting the program administrator, or by calling the Ag Info line at 310-FARM. Also be sure to review the program terms and conditions: Energy Efficiency Retrofits Program Terms and Conditions (Available April 2010)
Decide what retrofits to make.
Select retrofits recommended in your Assessment report, or work with your Assessor to identify retrofits that will save your operation energy per unit of production.
Complete and Submit the Application Form.
Click here (Available April 2010) to download the Energy Efficiency Retrofts application form, or contact the Ag Info line at 310-FARM to have an application mailed to you. Submit the completed application with all required documentation to:

Growing Forward Energy Efficiency Retrofits Program
201, 7000-113 Street NW
Edmonton, AB T6H 5T6
Successful Applicants will be required to enter into a Grant Agreement.
A program coordinator will review your application and may contact you for more information. When your application is processed, you will receive two copies of a Grant Agreement. Review the terms and conditions of the Agreement, paying careful attention to any deadlines, sign both copies and return them.
Permission to Start.
After you have signed and returned the Grant Agreements, they will be reviewed and signed by ARD. A copy of the signed Grant Agreement will then be sent back to you for your records, along with a Permission to Start letter, and a Request for Payment form. Upon receipt of this package, you may begin making the purchases specified in the Grant Agreement. In order to qualify for program funding, it is important that you do not begin purchasing before receiving this package.
Payment.
With Permission to Start, you will receive a cheque (mailed separately) for 25% of the amount of funding specified in the Grant Agreement. After making purchases, as outlined in the Grant Agreement, you will have 30 days to complete the Request for Payment form and return it along with proof of purchases to the program coordinator. Upon processing of the Request for Payment form, a cheque covering approved expenses will be mailed to you. If the items or values claimed in the Request for Payment are different from those in the Grant Agreement, you may be contacted for clarification by a program coordinator.

Energy Efficiency Construction

An On-Farm Energy Assessment IS NOT required to apply to Energy Efficiency Construction. All types of agricultural operations are eligible for Energy Efficiency Construction.

Apply for a general Growing Forward registration number.
If you have not already done so, click here to access the general Growing Forward registration forms. Select the individual, corporate, or non-profit organization form appropriate to your operation. Your general Growing Forward registration number is required for all other Growing Forward program applications. Therefore it is important that you complete the general Growing Forward registration using the same name and information you intend to use when applying for all other Growing Forward programs. You only need to register once for a general Growing Forward registration number.
Review the program information.
Review the program information on this website. Additional information is available by contacting the program administrator, or by calling the Ag Info line at 310-FARM. Also be sure to review the program terms and conditions: Energy Efficiency Construction Program Terms and Conditions
Decide what high-efficiency equipment to include in your new construction.
Select high-efficiency equipment to meet your needs, that is included in the list of eligible equipment provided in the Energy Efficiency Construction Program Terms and Conditions. Do not yet purchase equipment or begin construction at this point.
Complete and Submit the Application Form.
Click here to access the Energy Efficiency Construction application form, or contact the Ag Info line at 310-FARM for an application. Complete the application including a description of the project, and makes and model numbers of proposed equipment. Submit the completed application with all required documentation, including Evidence of the Project (such as a Building Permit or Building Contract) to:

Growing Forward Energy Efficiency Construction Program
201, 7000-113 Street NW
Edmonton, AB T6H 5T6
Successful Applicants will be required to enter into a Grant Agreement.
A program coordinator will review your application and may contact you for more information or clarification. When your application is processed, you will receive two copies of a Grant Agreement. Review the terms and conditions of the Agreement, paying careful attention to any deadlines, sign both copies and return them.
Permission to Start.
After you have signed and returned the Grant Agreements, they will be reviewed and signed by ARD. A copy of the signed Grant Agreement will then be sent back to you for your records, along with a Permission to Start letter, and a Request for Payment form. Upon receipt of this package, you may begin making the purchases specified in the Grant Agreement. In order to qualify for program funding, it is important that you do not begin purchasing before receiving this package.
Payment.
With Permission to Start, you will receive a cheque (mailed separately) for 25% of the amount of funding specified in the Grant Agreement. After making purchases, as outlined in the Grant Agreement, you will have 30 days to complete the Request for Payment form and return it along with proof of purchases to the program coordinator. Upon processing of the Request for Payment form, a cheque covering approved expenses will be mailed to you. If the items or values claimed in the Request for Payment are different from those in the Grant Agreement, you may be contacted for clarification by a program coordinator.