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CP Fund has two principle programs: the Community Energy Partnerships Program (CEPP) and Community Power Capital (CP Capital). Community Energy Partnerships Program (CEPP)In early 2010, CP Fund was chosen by the Ontario Power Authority to co-manage the Community Energy Partnerships Program (CEPP), a new grant program to support community power projects in Ontario in the form of grants of up to $200,000. As CEPP Program Manager, the Community Power Fund provides education about the CEPP, helps people through the application process, prepares the initial screening of and recommendations regarding applications, and provides approved project monitoring. The CEPP is co-managed by Deloitte. The CEPP launched on May 10, 2010. For more information about the CEPP, including guidelines and application forms, please visit www.communityenergyprogram.ca. Community Power Capital Community Power Capital is specifically geared to meet the most pressing financial needs of qualified, commercially viable Community Power projects throughout Ontario. CP Capital will provide essential services for the CP sector: - the Financial Services Program will focus on expanding and increasing the financial literacy of groups who demonstrate clear intentions and non-financial capabilities to develop Community Power, and providing comprehensive strategy and assistance to Community Power proponents to maximize community financial participation and benefits. - the Investment Funds Platform includes Direct Investment Funds to maximize funding for Community Power across the full capital spectrum, and Fund Management and Fiduciary Services designed to harness and accelerate fundraising capacity at the local level. CP Fund has been working on the business plan and partnership strategies for CP Capital since 2009, and in early 2010 took steps to diversify and deepen the legal and financial expertise among its staff and Board of Directors. CP Capital, along with its planned Financial Services Program and Investment Fund Platform, are currently being designed and structured. Prospective clients and partners across each envisioned capacity and capital offering are engaged, and a formal launch, engagement and expansion will take place in Q4 2010. Community Power Fund History From 2007 to 2009, CP Fund consulted with a diverse range of community power project developers, and allocated $1.5 million CDN to assist in the development of 25 renewable energy projects owned by Ontario-based community and aboriginal groups. With the launch of the Community Energy Partnerships Program (CEPP), CP Fund sunset the original CP Fund Grant program. For more information about projects funded by CP Fund grants, visit the project profiles section below. Previously Funded Projects Windward Co-operative Homes is a federal housing co-op on the Toronto waterfront. Last fall, they successfully completed a feasibility study for a solar thermal installation, which was funded by the Community Power Fund. Now they have been approved for a project development grant for $47,000 to complete the remaining development work and they hope to begin construction in April of this year. Nipissing First Nation in partnership with Gemini Power is developing a biomass co-generation plant near North Bay. They were approved for a $59,000 feasibility grant to complete their connection impact assessment and business plan. Local Initiative For Future Energy (LIFE) is a co-operative group located west of Kitchener and is pursuing a 10 MW wind farm near St. Agatha. In round one, LIFE was approved for a pre-feasibility grant to complete a pre-feasibility study for their project and have now been approved for a $40,000 feasibility grant to continue their work. Muskrat Dam First Nation is located in northwestern Ontario and is exploring the possibility of replacing their diesel generation with a small hydroelectric project. The Fund board approved a feasibility grant of $25,000 for this remote community. AMJ Canada Inc. has been approved for a pre-feasibility grant to explore the possibility of installing a solar hot water and thermal heating system as well as two 100 kW wind turbines at the site of the Baitul Islam mosque and community centre in Maple. The hope is that this initial project will act as a model for the remainder of the community centers/mosques in Ontario including Mississauga, Scarborough, Durham, Brampton, Windsor and Bradford. Buckhorn Community Centre and Athletic Association is completing an energy retrofit project and received a pre-feasibility grant to explore the possibility of installing a geoexchange and solar hot water system at the Centre. One of the goals of their five-year strategic plan is to move toward a more energy-saving, environmentally-friendly facility. The retrofit project will also include energy efficient lighting and appliance upgrades. Toronto Renewable Energy Co-operative - Our Power is working on a program to assist up to 5 community solar groups to launch and in stall 200 solar systems over the next year. They will be providing advice and resources, a website and developing a community solar knowledge network. Windfall Ecology Centre, in partnership with the Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation, is working on a 20 MW wind project to be situated on Georgina Island. The Fund Board of Directors approved a $300,000 3 year project development grant. Windy Hills Caledon is a not-for-profit organization based in the Caledon area. They plan to use a co-operative based share model to capitalize their 10 MW, 5 turbine wind project. The Fund Board of Directors approved a $300,000 3 year grant. The Campbellford-Seymour Community Foundation (CSCF) is working with the Wildside Foundation to develop a 3 MW small hydro project at Teddy's Falls. The Fund Board of Directors approved a $12,500 grant. Barrie Windcatchers is a co-operative group working in the City of Barrie to erect a 1.5 MW turbine at the City of Barrie's Sandy Hollow landfill. The Fund Board of Directors has approved a $25,000 feasibility grant. Local Initiative For Future Energy (LIFE) is a co-operative working within the Waterloo-Wellington region to develop a wind power project in the St. Agatha area. The Fund Board of Directors approved a $5,000 pre-feasibility grant. Next Generation Energy Alternatives is a non-profit organization proposing to install a 2 kW solar photovoltaic system on a downtown Toronto condominium or housing co-op. The Fund Board of Directors approved a $5,000 grant to complete feasibility work for the project. The Norfolk Federation of Agriculture (NFA), in partnership with Farmers for Economic Opportunity (FEO), are working toward a 10 MW wind project in the Simcoe and Norfolk county area. The Fund approved a $5,000 grant to complete their pre-feasibility study. Windshare Co-operative is a for-profit wind power co-operative based in Toronto. The Fund approved a $10,000 feasibility grant for Windshare to explore the possibility of a second turbine at Exhibition Place, Toronto. Windward Co-operative Homes is a co-operative housing community in Toronto consisting of 101 households. The co-op plans to install a solar thermal system on their building to help offset natural gas use for hot water heating. The Fund approved a feasibility grant for $11,850. M'Chigeeng First Nation of Manitoulin Island has been working toward a 10 MW wind project on the Island. The Fund approved a $25,000 grant to assist overcoming the barrier of a shortage of distribution grid capacity in their area. Wikwemikong First Nation, located on Manitoulin Island, has been working on a 30 MW wind project. The project is currently facing a barrier due to a shortage of distribution grid capacity on Manitoulin Island. The Fund approved a $25,000 strategic opportunity grant to help overcome this barrier. |
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