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Provinces / Nunavut

Clean energy in Nunavut

Every Nunavut community runs on standalone diesel grids, with fuel shipped in by sealift. That makes efficiency and emerging renewables matter more here than anywhere else in the country.

Canada's hardest — and highest-stakes — energy challenge

The Nunavut energy picture

Approximate figures from public federal and provincial energy profiles — every home and utility territory differs, so treat these as the starting map, not the destination.

~38¢*typical residential rate per kWh (approx.)
≈900kWh produced per installed kW of solar, per year (approx.)
<2%of electricity from renewables (approx.)
25 communitiesall powered by local diesel plants

Where Nunavut's electricity comes from

Diesel ~99%Solar pilots ~1%
Selling power back: how net metering works here

Qulliq Energy Corporation has introduced net metering and commercial IPP policies to begin connecting community solar — early days, but the door is open.

Best bets

What works best in Nunavut

Efficiency is everything

When power costs multiples of the national average (*rates are subsidized; true cost is far higher), insulation, heat recovery and LED retrofits deliver unmatched savings.

Community solar pilots

Midnight-sun summers make seasonal solar a genuine diesel-displacer; pilot arrays are proving it in several communities.

Wind potential

Coastal Arctic winds are strong and steady — hybrid wind-diesel systems are the territory's most promising path off full diesel dependence.

Money on the table

Rebates & incentives for Nunavut residents

Federal programs apply everywhere and usually stack with local ones. Program terms change — confirm details on the official page before applying, and or search by your exact address to add municipal programs.

OpenFederalTax incentiveWrite-offsStatus to confirm

Accelerated Capital Cost Allowance for Clean Energy Equipment (Classes 43.1/43.2)

Canada Revenue Agency — Faster tax write-offs for businesses investing in qualifying clean-energy equipment such as solar. Generally not available to homeowners for a principal residence.

Official program page ↗Last reviewed 2026-10
OpenFederalEVUp to $5,000

Electric Vehicle Affordability Program (EVAP)

Transport Canada — Point-of-sale incentive on a new electric or plug-in hybrid vehicle, applied by an enrolled dealer. Vehicles must be made in Canada or a free-trade partner country, and non-Canadian-made vehicles must cost $50,000 or less after discounts.

Official program page ↗Last reviewed 2026-10
OpenFederalTax rebateVariesStatus to confirm

GST/HST New Housing Rebate

Canada Revenue Agency — Recover part of the GST or federal share of HST paid on a newly built or substantially renovated home used as a primary residence.

Official program page ↗Last reviewed 2026-10
Coming soonFederalHeat pumpUp to $10,000

National Heat Pump Rebate

Government of Canada (Environment and Climate Change Canada) — A new federal rebate for homeowners who install an eligible heat pump. You apply online, with no energy audit needed. Approval is promised within 24 hours, and payment within five days of submitting receipts.

Official program page ↗Last reviewed 2026-10
OpenNunavutNet meteringBill creditsStatus to confirm

Net Metering Program

Qulliq Energy Corporation — Lets homeowners with small renewable systems such as rooftop solar offset their power bills with credits for electricity sent to QEC's grid.

Official program page ↗Last reviewed 2026-10
OpenNunavutCommunity (federal)VariesStatus to confirm

Northern REACHE Program

Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada — Federal funding for northern and Indigenous communities to plan and build renewable energy and efficiency projects that reduce diesel use for heat and power. It funds communities and organizations, not individual homeowners.

Official program page ↗Last reviewed 2026-10

Financing programs

OpenFederalMortgageUp to 25% refundStatus to confirm

CMHC Eco Plus (formerly Green Home)

CMHC — A partial refund of your CMHC mortgage loan insurance premium when you buy or build an energy-efficient home.

Official program page ↗Last reviewed 2026-10
OpenFederalBank loanLoanStatus to confirm

Energy Saver Loan

RBC Royal Bank — A bank loan for energy-efficiency upgrades to your home.

Official program page ↗Last reviewed 2026-10
OpenFederalMortgageUp to 25% refundStatus to confirm

Energy-Efficient Advantage Program

Canada Guaranty — A partial mortgage insurance premium refund for borrowers who buy or upgrade to an energy-efficient home.

Official program page ↗Last reviewed 2026-10
OpenFederalMortgageUp to 25% refundStatus to confirm

Energy-Efficient Housing Program

Sagen — A mortgage insurance premium refund for buyers of energy-efficient homes, or for owners who complete energy-saving renovations.

Official program page ↗Last reviewed 2026-10
OpenNunavutGrant / forgivable loanVariesStatus to confirm

Emergency Repair Program

Nunavut Housing Corporation — Help for homeowners facing urgent repairs that affect health or safety, such as heating system failures.

Official program page ↗Last reviewed 2026-10
OpenNunavutForgivable loanUp to $65,000Status to confirm

Home Renovation Program

Nunavut Housing Corporation — Forgivable loans to help homeowners with major repairs, renovations and energy upgrades, covering materials, freight and labour.

Official program page ↗Last reviewed 2026-10
Questions

Nunavut FAQs

Why is energy so expensive in Nunavut?
Every litre of diesel is shipped thousands of kilometres by sea, stored for the year, and burned in small community plants. Rates are heavily subsidized — the true cost is higher still.
Can homeowners do anything today?
Yes — the Nunavut Housing Corporation funds major renovations up to $65,000, and every efficiency upgrade offsets the most expensive power in Canada.

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