May 30, 2019

Canada is helping to build the low-carbon economy. The government is investing in the development of new and innovative technologies that will help us fight climate change, boost the economy and create good jobs for Canadians.

Canada's Minister of Natural Resources, the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, announced an investment of up to $30 million for a new initiative called Breakthrough Energy Solutions Canada (BESC) that will foster cutting-edge companies to deliver game-changing clean energy innovations to the market.

BESC is a first-of-its-kind public–private initiative aimed at accelerating the development of clean energy technologies in the electricity, transportation, buildings and manufacturing sectors with the potential for substantial pollution reductions globally.

This funding call will harness the expertise of both Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) and Breakthrough Energy in clean energy technologies — with NRCan conducting and overseeing the funding call and Breakthrough Energy providing valuable insights and exposure to global investors.

Launched under a new stream of NRCan's Energy Innovation Program, in partnership with Breakthrough Energy, BESC builds on the shared objectives of advancing a sustainable and resilient clean energy future.

Minister Sohi made this announcement during the Clean Energy and Mission Innovation Ministerial meetings in Vancouver, where ministers, high-level officials and business leaders from over 25 countries gathered to accelerate progress toward a clean energy future. Born out of Mission Innovation's partnership with Breakthrough Energy, BESC demonstrates Canada's commitment to accelerating clean energy innovation through model partnerships, supporting Canadian innovators and making clean energy more widely accessible and affordable.

The program's call for proposals is now open. Learn more about BESC: www.nrcan.gc.ca/breakthrough