Program Summary

The Empower Program for Industrial Systems

• Provides financial assistance to support the introduction of very energy-efficient equipment, systems or processes exceeding the efficiency of basic or standard equipment
• Is designed so that you target the electricity-saving measures you wish to implement depending on opportunities and constraints inherent in your operations

• Business customer(small and medium-sized companies, municipalities and customers of municipal and off-grid systems) that use equipment, systems or processes in an industrial building
• Customers who own or operate buildings with a Goods-Producing industry NAICS code (with some exceptions) (see Appendix 2 of the Participant's Guide [PDF]).
• Customers with service contracts at Rate L are excluded from the Program

Electricity-saving measures must be implemented by December 31, 2015.

You have 24 months from the date Hydro-Québec receives the Document d'avant-projet to do the following:

• Submit a project proposal to Hydro-Québec in order to obtain confirmation of the amount of financial assistance prior to the project start date
• OR
• Carry out the project without first submitting a proposal and send your supporting documents to Hydro-Québec to receive the financial assistance to which you are entitled

Measures submitted WITH automated calculations (eclairage.xls, compression.xls or refrigeration.exe)

• Eligible kilowatthours saved/year (i.e., savings above benchmark) X a maximum of 15¢/kilowatthour

Measures submitted WITHOUT automated calculations (appui.xls)

• The lesser of the following amounts:
  • Eligible kilowatthours saved/year (i.e., savings above benchmark)
    X 15¢/kilowatthour
  • 40% of total eligible costs for implementing the electricity-saving measures

For more information, see Financial Assistance.

You receive financial assistance to implement a project that will mean savings on energy costs. This assistance will help you recoup your investment more quickly and you may also

• faster payback of your investment
• achieve long-term electricity savings
• reduce your operating costs
• become more competitive

The project must apply to an industrial system or process and mainly involve

• introducing new production facilities
• retrofitting existing facilities
• upgrading systems that are no longer satisfactorily configured or suited to your needs

Measures that apply to processes or electrical systems in an industrial building:

Pumps Ventilation Compressed air Refrigeration

Motors Machine tools Lighting

Measures that apply to other uses of electricity for the purpose of

Extracting Manufacturing Treating Processing

Storing materials or products when such storage is at the site of the industrial activity

• A duly completed Document d'avant-projet must be sent to Hydro-Québec before the project start date using the Module d'envoi.
• You must implement very energy-efficient systems that exceed the efficiency of basic or standard equipment.
• Each project must generate eligible electricity savings of at least 25,000 kWh/year.
• The project must be developed using the online tools supplied by Hydro-Québec and must meet the requirements set out in the guides in effect when the project was submitted via the Module d'envoi.
• The equipment, system or process covered by the project must be installed in Québec at the place specified in the request for financial assistance.
• The equipment or systems installed must be certified or approved by a recognized independent industry authority and have a service life of at least five years.

The following conditions also apply:

• The project must require capital spending.
• The project must apply to a single location, excepting measures for  motor replacement or municipal services (drinking water plants, wastewater plants and pumping stations).
• Any given system or process is eligible for financial assistance only once under the Program.
• Several projects may be carried out at the same location.

As an energy expert, your Hydro-Québec representative will provide advice at each step of your project so you can get the most out of the Empower Program for Industrial Systems.

Consulting firms, equipment manufacturers and distributors, contractors and trade associations can help in assessing your systems and processes, recommending energy-saving measures and even implementing projects.

You may wish to consult the Energy Management Services Directory hosted by the Office of Energy Efficiency (OEE).