The Aboriginal Renewable Energy Fund (AREF).

The AREF is available to Aboriginal Communities considering developing renewable projects over 10 kilowatts. AREF is divided into three streams of funding: Organizational Development, Partnership, and Development and Approvals.

1.      The Organizational Development Stream provides Aboriginal Communities with funding for the independent legal costs associated with developing the corporate structure that will own the renewable energy project;

2.      The Partnership Stream provides Aboriginal Communities with funding to obtain third-party, professional advice to assess the feasibility and viability of a proposed partnership; and

3.      The Development and Approvals Stream assists Aboriginal Communities with the soft costs associated with developing the renewable energy project and obtaining the requisite regulatory approvals for the project after the project has a FIT contract.  

Organizational Development and Partnership Streams:

a.        80 percent of actual costs up to $40,000 for  three or more projects;

b.        80 percent of actual costs up to $30,000 for two projects; and

c.        80 percent of actual costs up to $20,000 for one project.

Development and Approvals Stream:

For a Large Project, the OPA may fund up to 50 percent of the Project Expenses up to $500,000.00 per Project.

For a Small Project, the OPA may fund up to 50 percent of the Project Expenses up to $100,000.00 per Small Project. An Applicant may receive funding for a maximum of five Small Projects.

For more information about each funding stream, see the Program Rules. Click here for program documents including Program Rules and Application forms.