Bringing you up to date on the latest policy updates and regulations for AER (Alberta Energy Regulator), MER (Ministry of Energy and Resources - Sask), and BCER (British Columbia Energy Regulatory) to better assist you from site planning through to reclamation, for your project. Crimson works to keep you updated on the latest federal and provincial funding, grants and incentives offered. Be sure to check back regularly to stay up to date or follow us on LinkedIn.
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Clean Growth Innovation Fund — FortisBC
What is it?
The Clean Growth Innovation Fund is a funding program administered by FortisBC, aimed at accelerating innovation in clean energy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions in British Columbia. The fund supports projects that can help decarbonize gas supply, improve energy efficiency, and bring forward lower‑carbon or renewable gas technologies and solutions.
What kinds of projects and activities are funded
FortisBC will fund projects in multiple clean energy / emissions reduction areas including:
Renewable and lower carbon gas production, distribution and end‑use (e.g. hydrogen, synthesis gas, lignin, and especially Renewable Natural Gas “RNG”)
Carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) technologies.
Energy efficiency measures, especially those with strong emission reduction potential or that improve long‑term system cost‑benefits.
Criteria for Funding
Applications are evaluated based on a number of factors. Projects are assessed on:
The estimated emissions reduction within British Columbia that the project will deliver.
Cost‑benefit for customers — i.e. whether the project offers value for money or cost savings in the long run.
The amount of co‑funding secured (applicant or third‑party). Projects with more partner funding tend to score better.
The experience and relevant expertise of the project team.
Funding & Governance
The fund is financed by ratepayers; it is part of the basic charge on FortisBC’s natural gas customers.
Oversight includes internal working groups, and an external advisory council which offers feedback, insight and guidance.
Unspent funds are returned to ratepayers. Also, the fund is not intended for FortisBC to earn return or use to finance projects already part of its regulated rate base.
Why It Matters
Helps BC meet its climate action goals (e.g. under CleanBC) by funding projects that reduce GHG emissions.
Supports the development of new clean gas/energy technologies which may not yet be commercially mature.
Promotes partnerships among academia, industry, and government to solve technical, economic and policy challenges.
Offers a pathway to making existing gas infrastructure more sustainable through integration with renewable gases, hydrogen etc.
Important Dates & How to Get Involved
Current funding round: 2025–2027.
Annual funding amount: approx. CAD $5.5 million per year for 2025‑2027.
Application deadline for the current year: Projects submitted after Nov 15, 2024 are part of the 2025‑2027 fund round.
To apply: fill out the project proposal form (available from FortisBC), submit by email.
Challenges & Considerations
Some projects may have long lead times to demonstrate real emissions reductions.
Cost effectiveness and ensuring benefits for customers are central criteria — meaning high risk or purely experimental ideas may face tougher scrutiny.
Balancing investment across different technologies (RNG, hydrogen, carbon capture) such that the most promising pathways receive support.
Oil Infrastructure Investment Program (OIIP) – Program Update
As part of Budget 2025–26, the Oil Infrastructure Investment Program (OIIP) has been extended for four more years, with applications now accepted until March 31, 2029.
About OIIP
The OIIP provides transferable Crown royalty and freehold production tax credits equal to 20% of eligible project costs for approved oil and gas infrastructure projects.
The program supports the development of:
Transmission pipelines
Feeder pipelines (including trunk and branch systems)
Pipeline terminals
Enabling infrastructure directly linked to a qualified project
Administered by the Ministry of Energy and Resources, OIIP is designed to strengthen Saskatchewan’s energy infrastructure and encourage investment.
Program Benefits
Transferable tax credits, allowing broader participation across project partners
CAD $40M project-specific credit cap (up to $200M in eligible costs)
Credit redemption schedule:
20% in Year 1
30% in Year 2
50% in Year 3
Can be combined with other provincial incentives
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify:
The project must directly increase pipeline capacity for oil or CO₂ in Saskatchewan
It must represent a non-redundant service and be non-operational at the time of application
Must involve a minimum investment of CAD $10 million
How to Apply
Email applications to: oiip@gov.sk.ca
Application window: April 8, 2020 – March 31, 2029Refer to the OIIP Program Overview and Application Instructions for full details.
Saskatchewan Petroleum Innovation Incentive (SPII)
The Saskatchewan Petroleum Innovation Incentive (SPII) has received a five-year extension as part of Budget 2024-25, with applications now accepted until March 31, 2029. The program’s lifetime funding cap has also increased from $30 million to $100 million, now shared with the new Saskatchewan Critical Minerals Innovation Incentive (SCMII).
Note: Helium and lithium innovation projects are no longer eligible under SPII. These are now covered under SCMII.
About SPII
The SPII program supports the commercialization of innovative technologies in Saskatchewan’s oil and gas sector, offering transferable Crown royalty and freehold production tax credits equal to 25% of eligible project costs.
Eligible project types include:
Pilot projects to test new technologies
Commercial-scale deployments of proven innovations
Multi-phase or multi-site projects
Administered by the Ministry of Energy and Resources, SPII aims to boost innovation that enhances oil recovery, reduces environmental impact, increases value-added capacity, or commercializes production byproducts.
Program Benefits
25% tax credit on eligible capital and operating costs
Fully transferable credits, allowing non-producers to participate
Supports cash flow during both construction and operational phases
CAD $5M project-specific credit cap (up to $20M in eligible costs)
Can be combined with other provincial incentives
Eligibility Overview
Projects must:
Feature innovations at Technology Readiness Level 7or higher
Be new or significantly different in Saskatchewan’s oil and gas sector
Have a minimum investment of $1 million
Not be commercially operational prior to application
Qualifying projects must focus on at least one of the following:
Enhanced oil/gas recovery
Environmental impact management
Value-added processing capacity
Commercialization of byproducts or waste
How to Apply
To apply, submit a completed SPII Application Form to: spii@gov.sk.ca
Applications will be accepted until March 31, 2029.
For guidelines and documents, refer to the SPII Program Overview or contact the Ministry for support.
Oil and Gas Processing Investment Incentive (OGPII) – Program Update
CLOSING DATE MARCH 31, 2029
As part of Saskatchewan's Budget 2024-25, the Oil and Gas Processing Investment Incentive (OGPII) has been extended for five more years, with project applications now accepted until March 31, 2029.
Additionally, the funding cap for OGPII has increased from $370 million to $500 million. This total cap will be shared with the newly announced Critical Minerals Processing Investment Incentive (CMPII).
Please note: Helium and lithium processing projects are now covered under CMPII, not OGPII. Applicants for these projects should consult CMPII guidelines.
About OGPII
The OGPII program supports greenfield and brownfield value-added oil and gas processing projects in Saskatchewan by offering transferable crown royalty and freehold production tax credits equal to 15% of eligible program costs.
Eligible sectors include:
Oil & gas refineries and upgrading facilities (e.g., partial upgraders, asphalt production)
Petrochemical facilities (e.g., methanol, ethylene, polypropylene)
Associated gas commercialization (e.g., gas processing, waste-gas-to-power)
Regional gas gathering systems
Carbon capture for enhanced oil recovery
Processing of oil and gas byproducts/waste
Chemical fertilizer production facilities
Program Benefits
Transferable Credits: Even non-producers can benefit through credit transfers.
Multi-Company Projects Supported: Costs can be shared across partners.
CAD $75M Project-Specific Credit Cap
Credit Claim Schedule:
20% in Year 1 of operations
30% in Year 2
50% in Year 3
Stackable with other Saskatchewan incentive programs
Eligibility Overview
Projects must:
Add significant value through processing or transformation
Represent a minimum investment of CAD $10 million
Result in a meaningful increase in Saskatchewan’s processing capacity
Eligible projects include new builds, expansions, and essential enabling infrastructure.
How to Apply
For detailed eligibility criteria, required documentation, and application instructions, visit the official OGPII page or contact the program team directly.
Alberta Petrochemical Incentive Program
CLOSING DATE NOVEMBER 1, 2025 & NOVEMBER 1, 2030
The Alberta Petrochemicals Incentive Program (APIP) is intended to grow the province’s petrochemicals sector and is designed to allow projects to compete in an open market and provide potential investors with certainty that projects that progress to the operational stage will be supported by the government. The APIP is administered by the Alberta Department of Energy (“the Department”). It provides financial incentives in the form of grants to encourage private sector investment in certain types of new or expanded Alberta-based petrochemical manufacturing facilities to produce value-added, petrochemical, hydrogen, fertilizer and fuel products.
The program will be open to receive applications from proposed projects for either five years or ten years from the launch of the program, depending on the size of the project’s capital investment. Projects with a capital investment of between $50 million to $150 million will have until November 1, 2025, to apply to the program and projects with a capital investment of more than $150 million will have until November 1, 2030, to apply to the program.
Please contact Crimson if you would like further information regarding this Program.
Alberta Innovates - Methane Emissions Reduction Program
ONGOING - CLOSING DATE TBD
The Methane Emissions Reduction program supports technologies that detect, monitor, and mitigate methane emissions reductions from Alberta’s oil and gas industry.
Methane is a potent greenhouse gas. Reducing methane emissions is a critical component of any climate change strategy. Canada and the USA aligned on targeted methane emissions reductions of 45 per cent from 2016 levels by 2025, and remarkable progress has been achieved to date. Part of this success relates to the deployment of new technologies, and with more aggressive emissions reductions now targeted, technology development continues to be a focus area.
This is a continuous program. Applicants are not required to be based in Alberta but must demonstrate a clear value proposition for the Province and be able to clearly demonstrate alignment to the program area priorities.
Funding is open to all categories of lead applicant including technology developers, industry, industrial associations, small and medium-sized enterprises, research and development (R&D) organizations, post-secondary institutions, municipalities, not-for-profit organizations, government research labs, individuals and others, who are advancing technology development within a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) range of 3-7.
Eligible technology portfolios include:
• Advanced Hydrocarbons supports economic, environmental, and diversification opportunities in Alberta's oil & gas sector. The Advanced Hydrocarbons portfolio consists of two programs: Cleaner Hydrocarbon Production and Innovative Hydrocarbon Products.
• Clean Technology supports diversification of Alberta’s economy through the development of clean technology. The Clean Technology portfolio consists of four areas: Renewable and Alternative Energy, Bioenergy and Circular Economy, and Carbon Capture, Utilization and Sequestration (CCUS) and Hydrogen, and Critical Minerals and Emerging Technology.
• Environmental Innovation supports economic development, environmental performance and healthy communities through investments in knowledge and technology gaps in two major programs: Water Innovation Program and Land and Biodiversity.
Please note that Agri-Food and Bio industrial Innovation have a separate portfolio.
The intake process consists of 3 phases: Phase 1 – Engagement and intake, Phase 2 – Detailed Proposal and Phase 3 – Project Management. A broad spectrum of focus areas are included in the 2030 target date set by the Clean Resources Program.
Funding requests are separated into two application types: One – Projects of $200k or under and Two – Projects over $200k. Consideration timelines will be dependent on the dollar value and review of your project. High dollar value requests may take 4 to 6 months.
Please see the following link for more information https://albertainnovates.ca/funding/methane-emissions-reduction-program/ or contact Crimson at info@crimsonreg.com and we will be happy to assist you in navigating through this process.
Strategic Innovation Fund: Collaborations and Networks
ONGOING - CLOSING DATE TBD
The Collaborations and Networks stream of the Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) supports large, business-led innovation networks and collaborative R&D projects that strengthen Canada's global advantage in key sectors.
Who Can Lead?
Canadian not-for-profits
Canadian for-profit corporations
What’s Funded?
National innovation networks
Collaborative tech development & demonstration
Industrial research and early- to mid-stage R&D (TRL 1–9)
Project Goals:
Accelerate commercialization of homegrown technologies
Strengthen collaboration between industry, academia, and research bodies
Boost Canada’s supply chains and innovation ecosystem
Eligible Activities Include:
Creating R&D collaborations among industry, research institutes, and universities
Supporting projects that lead to new products, processes, or services
Advancing tech with clear commercialization pathways
Lead Applicants Manage:
SIF funding and reporting
Network governance
Sustainability and results
If you're building the future of Canadian innovation, SIF can help you scale your impact.
Learn more: Strategic Innovation Fund – Collaborations & Networks
Strategic Innovation Fund: Collaborations and Networks
Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) and Hydrogen Program
ONGOING - CLOSING DATE TBD
The Clean Technology Program by Alberta Innovates is investing in projects that tackle sustainability while boosting economic diversification across the province.
Focus Areas:
Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS)
Low-Carbon Hydrogen Technologies
These areas are critical to Alberta’s energy transition, enabling emissions reductions, decarbonization, and clean tech commercialization—while creating new economic opportunities.
What’s Funded:
Projects in Technology Readiness Levels (TRL 3–7)
Innovations across the full CCUS and hydrogen value chains (production, storage, end-use, etc.)
Solutions aligned with Alberta’s net-zero goals
Who Can Apply:
Open to developers, SMEs, researchers, post-secondary institutions, not-for-profits, municipalities & more
Applicants outside Alberta welcome—must demonstrate local value
Intake: Ongoing (Continuous)
Apply via SmartSimple portalContact a Clean Resources Project Advisor before submitting your Intake Form.
Learn more & access the Program Guide: Alberta Clean Technology Program
Alberta Innovates: Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS) and Hydrogen Program
Strategic Innovation Fund: Business Innovations and Growth
ONGOING - CLOSING DATE TBD
Is your business ready to scale, innovate, and create impact? The Business Innovation and Growth stream of Canada’s Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) is designed to help for-profit companies invest in R&D, expand operations, and enhance competitiveness.
Who Can Apply?
Canadian-incorporated for-profit businesses or cooperatives
Partnerships carrying out business in Canada
Project Focus Areas:
R&D & commercialization (TRL 8–9)
Facility expansion
Efficiency improvements
Investment attraction or reinvestment
Eligible Projects Might Include:
Increasing manufacturing to meet market demand
Upgrading equipment to boost production efficiency
What’s in it for Your Business?
Non-repayable and repayable contributions
Support to grow, scale, and enhance output
Commitment to job creation and long-term Canadian prosperity
Funding comes with responsibilities: Project management, IP rights, claims and reporting, and contributing to broader economic benefits for Canada.
Now’s the time to turn your vision into reality.
Learn more and explore eligibility: Innovation Canada – Strategic Innovation Fund
Saskatchewan Advantage Innovation Fund (SAIF) – Research & Development Funding
ONGOING - CLOSING DATE TBD
The SAIF program, administered by Innovation Saskatchewan, offers non-repayable grants to support the commercialization of breakthrough technologies in Saskatchewan’s core industries. SAIF helps turn innovative ideas into real-world solutions that drive economic growth in the province.
Program Objectives
Accelerate commercialization of game-changing technologies
Support industry-driven R&D that solves sector-specific challenges
Foster collaboration between businesses, academia, and research organizations
Focus Areas
SAIF supports R&D projects in the following sectors:
Mining
Energy
Manufacturing & Processing
Health Care
Cleantech
Funding Details
Up to $450,000 perproject (non-repayable)
IS will fund no more than 30% of the project budget
Industry partners must contribute at least 50%
Maximum lifetime funding: $900,000 (including STSI credits)
Funding disbursed based on milestones and reports
Eligibility
To qualify, projects must:
Be led by a Saskatchewan-based for-profit organization
Involve active industry partners (cash/in-kind/LOI)
Address a clear industry challenge
Demonstrate innovation and commercial potential
Conduct R&D primarily in Saskatchewan
Application Process
Expression of Interest (EOI) – accepted twice yearly (May 31 & September 30)
Shortlisted EOIs invited to submit full proposals
Full proposal evaluation includes technical, financial, and strategic review
Funding decisions made approximately two months after submission
Evaluation Criteria
Proposals are assessed on:
Sector alignment & innovation
Technical feasibility & commercialization path
Economic & environmental impact
Partner and team capacity
Letters of intent from customers (minimum of 2)
Eligible Costs
R&D salaries and contractors
Equipment (depreciated)
IP protection, tech transfer, commercialization
Travel for collaboration
Ineligible costs: marketing, overhead, land purchases, and hospitality.
IP & Confidentiality
IP remains with project partners
Confidentiality agreements in place
IS does not assume ownership or liability for IP
Reporting Requirements
Regular progress reports tied to funding milestones
Final report required for last payment
Annual post-project updates for 5 years
For more details or to start your application, visit the Innovation Saskatchewan website or contact the SAIF program manager.
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