New application process for Capital Retrofits
To manage high demand and ensure that program funding is directed to the most impactful projects, ERA is transitioning the Capital Retrofits activity approval process to a fixed intake model, effective January 7, 2026.
Under this new structure, all signed Capital Retrofits activity pre-applications received between January 7 and March 2, 2026, will be reviewed, scored, and ranked based on evaluation criteria. Funding will be awarded to the highest-ranked applications until the available budget for the Capital Retrofits activity is fully allocated.
Note: If your Capital Retrofits activity pre-application is signed before January 7, 2026, the new fixed intake process does not impact your project.
The fixed intake model replaces the previous first-come, first-served model. The move to a fixed intake model ensures a more transparent, equitable assessment process that prioritizes projects that can achieve greenhouse gas reductions the most effectively. If your pre-activity application is submitted during the fixed intake period but is not approved for funding, your application will be placed on a waitlist in the event that additional funding becomes available or the program is extended. All funded projects will need to be completed by March 31, 2027.
This webpage provides an overview of how the fixed intake period works, what applicants can expect during the review and evaluation process, and how to prepare a complete Capital Retrofits application for consideration.
Note: Applications submitted during the fixed intake period will not be evaluated on a first-come, first-served basis. Instead, applications are evaluated based on the supporting documentation provided. As long as an application is submitted by the March 2, 2026, deadline, it will be evaluated. As such, it is recommended that the focus be on a quality application versus a quick application submission.
Timeline
UNTIL JAN 6, 2026
First-Come First-Served Intake Period
- Capital Retrofits applications received and approved (i.e., Capital Retrofits Terms and Conditions signed by ERA) before January 6 at 4 p.m. MST will be processed following the first-come, first-served model and will not be subject to the fixed intake evaluation process.
- Submitting a Capital Retrofits application before the deadline does not guarantee funding.
JAN 7 to MAR 2, 2026
Fixed Intake Period
- Any Capital Retrofits applications that do not have executed agreements by January 6, 4 p.m. MST or any new Capital Retrofits applications submitted between January 7, and March 2 will be assessed according to the evaluation criteria.
- Applications missing critical information or requiring clarifications must be revised by March 2, 2026.
- Deadline to apply: March 2, 2026, at 4 p.m. MST
MAR 3 to 31, 2026
Evaluation Period & Funding Allocation
- All applications submitted during the fixed intake period will be assessed based on the evaluation criteria.
- Funding will be awarded to the highest-ranked applications until the available budget for the Capital Retrofits activity is fully allocated and decisions will be communicated to successful applicants by March 31, 2026.
- Projects not funded during this round will be added to a waitlist. Should additional funds become available, applicants will be contacted based on their ranking order.
How your application will be evaluated
All complete Capital Retrofits applications submitted between January 7 and March 2, 2026 will be reviewed and scored using ERA’s evaluation criteria. The criteria below are listed in order of importance:
- Abatement Cost (ERA funding requested/tCO₂e)
- Evaluates lifetime GHG reductions relative to total incentive funding requested.
- Abatement Cost calculation formula: Abatement Cost ($/tCO₂e) = Amount of ERA funding requested/Tonnes of lifetime GHG reductions
- Projects with lower abatement costs will score higher.
- Parent Company Funding Cap ($1 million maximum)
- ERA will apply a $1 million maximum funding cap per parent company.
- Applications from the same parent company will be limited to $1 million to ensure an equitable distribution of funding.
- Applicants from the same parent company who have already been approved for $1 million in funding will not be evaluated and will be placed on the waitlist
- Diversity of Technologies Supported
- Applications will be evaluated based on the type of technology being supported.
- Technologies that have received less funding to date will be prioritized. This is to ensure a broad range of technologies receive support.
- Application Quality
- Applications will be evaluated based on the quality of the supporting documentation submitted.
- Fairness Assessment for Indigenous & Not-for-Profit Applicants
- To support equity and fairness, Indigenous and not-for-profit applicants will be scored separately from for-profit applicants.
Case Example 1
Waste heat recovery project
| Financials | Lifetime GHG Reductions | Abatement Cost | Evaluation/Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Project cost: $900K Funding requested: $400K Applicant contribution: $500K (56%) | 60,000 tCO2e | $6.67/tCO2e | Lower abatement cost → stronger application. High applicant contribution improves score. No parent-company cap applying to this example. |
Case Example 2
Process electrification – gas dryers → electric
| Financials | Lifetime GHG Reductions | Abatement Cost | Evaluation/Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Project cost: $5M Funding requested: $1M Applicant contribution: $4M (80%) | 80,000 tCO2e | $12.50/tCO2e | Higher abatement cost → lower score. |
| Project cost: $5M Funding requested: $500K Applicant contribution: $4.5M (90%) | 80,000 tCO2e | $6.25/tCO2e | Lower abatement cost → higher score. Strong cost share. Highly competitive. |
Case Example 3
VFD installation on pumps/fans at two facilities
(Subsidiary A & B) under the same parent company
| Financials | Lifetime GHG Reductions | Abatement Cost | Evaluation/Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Project cost: $1M Funding requested: $500K Applicant contribution: $500K (50%) | 35,000 tCO2e | $14.28/tCO2e | Moderately competitive projects, but parent-company cap ($1M) exceeded (combined incentive request: $1.1M). ERA will enforce the $1M cap by either funding only the highest-scoring project (if applicable) or pro-rating the funding amount to remain within the $1M cap. |
| Project cost: $1.2M Funding requested: $600K Applicant contribution: $600K (50%) | 37,000 tCO2e | $16.22/tCO2e |
How to submit your application
To proceed to evaluation, all Capital Retrofits applications must be complete and meet all eligibility requirements. Applications will also be assessed for quality and readiness as part of scoring.
Key requirements include:
- Complete application submitted through the SEMI Portal
- Feasibility study that meets minimum quality standards including supporting data for energy savings and emissions reduction calculations
- Eligibility of technology and retrofit type
- Evidence of achieving minimum energy savings thresholds (≥5% reduction) and demonstration of abatement calculation
- Realistic schedule and readiness to install and operate technology by March 31, 2027, including identification of milestones and current progress
- Detailed budget
- Explanation of other project benefits (reduced maintenance, improved productivity, reduced waste, additional job creation etc.)
Applications missing critical information or requiring clarifications must be revised by March 2, 2026 to remain eligible.
Waitlist
Projects that meet the minimum requirements and score competitively but cannot be funded within the available budget will be placed on a waitlist. These applicants may be contacted if more funding becomes available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Last updated: December 8, 2025
If your Capital Retrofits application is signed by ERA by January 6, 2026, 4 p.m. (MST) then your funds are reserved, and you are not impacted by the fixed intake period. If your Capital Retrofits application has not been signed by this deadline, it will be evaluated as part of the fixed intake period.
If the application is not signed by January 6, 2026, it will be evaluated as part of the fixed intake period. The deadline to submit a complete application is March 2, 2026 at 4 p.m. (MST).
Projects submitted between January 7 and March 2, 4 p.m. (MST) 2026 will be reviewed, scored, and ranked based on evaluation criteria. All applications submitted during this period will be evaluated between March 3 and March 31, 2026. You can expect to receive an update on your funding request by March 31, 2026.
No. If funding becomes available, the highest scoring projects will be considered first.
If your project is not funded through SEMI, additional funding opportunities may be available on ERA’s website under the “Funding” tab.
You can expect to hear a funding decision by March 31, 2026.
No, registering or completing an FRA, SEM, EMIS, or EAA activity, does not guarantee you funding for your Capital Retrofits projects. Your Capital Retrofits funding is not reserved until you the Capital Retrofits Terms and Conditions are signed by ERA.
It will be evaluated as part of the fixed intake process.
You will need to sign the FRA Participant Terms and Conditions before submitting your Capital Retrofits application. Please be advised that registering or completing an FRA does not guarantee funding for your Capital Retrofits project.
Questions?
If you have any questions, please email semi@enerva.ca
Ready to get started with SEMI?
Register for the Capital Retrofits Webinar
Gain a better understanding of the new application process for the Capital Retrofits activity.
Newsletter
Be the first to know about program updates and training opportunities.
Questions?
Contact our program team for more information.