The Clean Energy for Rural and Remote Communities (CERRC) program provides funding for renewable energy and capacity building projects to reduce the reliance on fossil fuels for heating and electricity in Indigenous, rural and remote communities across Canada.

In support of the clean energy transition, the program’s objective is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and fossil fuel use by increasing the use of local renewable energy sources and related energy efficiency measures. This creates environmental, social and economic benefits to support healthier and more sustainable communities.

Investing in clean energy solutions in Indigenous communities is a small but important link to energy security, reconciliation, self-determination and economic development for Indigenous Peoples.

The Clean Energy for Rural and Remote Communities (CERRC) program is currently accepting applications under the following streams:

• Biomass heating, district heating, and combined heat and power systems

Please note: Due to high demand, remaining funding for this stream is limited, eligible projects received will be added to a waitlist, should funds become available:

• Research, Development, and Demonstration projects

Please note: Due to high demand, CERRC has paused application intake for the following streams:

• Capacity Building projects
• Deployment of renewable energy projects

Please continue to visit their website for further updates.

Definition of rural and remote communities

Rural community is defined as a community with a population of less than 5,000 people and a population density of less than 400 persons per square kilometre and not connected to the North American piped natural gas network.

Remote community refers to a community not currently connected to the North American electrical grid or the piped natural gas network and is a permanent or long-term (5 years or more) settlement with at least 10 dwellings.