NorthX and BC Hydro Launch $5M Funding for Electricity Demand Technologies

What was announced

NorthX Climate Tech and BC Hydro have launched the Call for Innovation: Capacity & Energy Solutions, a funding initiative designed to accelerate the commercialization of technologies that manage electricity demand. The $5 million program provides non-dilutive funding to Canadian companies developing solutions that can shift, shed, store, or manage electricity demand at industrial sites, buildings, vehicle fleets, and other locations.

The partnership aims to support BC Hydro's Power Smart 2.0 and Powering Growth plans, which target 2,200 GWh in energy savings and 800 MW in capacity savings. As BC's electricity demand grows with industrial expansion and the electrification of transportation and heating, the province requires new approaches to manage when and how electricity is used.

Who can apply and what projects fit

Eligible applicants are Canadian-incorporated companies with technologies at Technology Readiness Level 4–9—meaning the technology is beyond early-stage development and has a demonstrated path to commercialization. Applicants must show meaningful emissions and electricity-system benefits.

Priority is given to projects that can be demonstrated in BC and deliver benefits such as reducing or shifting electricity demand, increasing system capacity and flexibility, supporting industrial growth, or strengthening BC's clean technology supply chain. Eligible technology categories include demand response and flexible industrial loads, energy storage, distributed energy resources and virtual power plants, managed and bidirectional vehicle charging, energy efficiency with flexibility features, and power electronics and integrated energy systems.

• Demonstrations, pilots, field validation, and utility integration testing are all eligible project types
• Selected companies may have opportunities to explore pilot projects or other early innovation activities with BC Hydro

How the funding works and key dates

Individual investments typically range from $250,000 to $1.5 million, and projects can receive up to 50% of their eligible costs. The program covers costs associated with bringing technologies from demonstration to deployment, reducing the timeline from innovation to commercial scale.

The first application window closes October 30, 2026, with funding decisions expected by the end of January 2027. Applications received after this deadline may be considered in Q1 2027, subject to available funding. Companies should check the official program page for application instructions and detailed eligibility criteria.

What this means for your business

This funding opportunity addresses a critical gap for climate technology companies in the mid-to-late development stage. Beyond capital, the program connects innovators directly with BC Hydro, a major potential customer, offering the chance to test and validate technologies in real-world conditions while building commercial traction.

For businesses developing electricity demand management solutions, this represents an opportunity to accelerate commercialization with support from both a specialized climate tech investor and a provincial utility with clear, long-term priorities for grid flexibility and capacity.