Northwest Territories
Energy Efficiency Programs See All 
Energy efficiency programs secure energy savings through various strategies such as audits, retrofits, training for building tradespeople, “people-centred” or behavioural efficiency strategies, and customized industrial programs.
Energy Efficiency Program Administration
The Arctic Energy Alliance administers energy efficiency programs, funded through the territorial government and federal contributions through the federal government's Low-Carbon Economy Leadership fund.
The NWT Public Utility Board (PUB) regulates all energy from public utilities. The programs offered by the AEA tackle both residential and commercial customers and offer both financial and non-financial incentives to help increase energy efficiency uptake in NWT.
Last reviewed: November 2022
Energy Efficiency Targets
The NWT’s 2030 Energy Strategy, released in May 2018, aims to increase commercial, residential, and institutional building energy efficiency by 15% by 2030. Reduce GHG emissions from transportation by 10% per capita, and reduce GHG from electricity generation in diesel-powered communities by an average of 25%.
Last reviewed: November 2022
Energy Efficiency as a Resource
No policies identified.
Last reviewed: November 2022
Efficiency Potential Study and Energy Planning
No potential studies or energy efficiency plans identified.
Last reviewed: November 2022
Cost-Effectiveness Testing
No cost-effectiveness testing information identified.
Last reviewed: November 2022
Evaluation, Measurement and Verification
No EM&V activities identified.
Last reviewed: November 2022
Program Innovation
No program innovation funding identified.
Last reviewed: October 2020
Support for low-income energy efficiency programs
The NWT’s 2030 Energy Strategy, released in May 2018, planned to support a “Low-Income Home Energy Assistance” program.
The Arctic Energy Alliance offers energy savings kits and energy capacity-building workshops through the Specified Income Home Winterization Program. The Northwest Territories Housing Corporation offers three programs which enable existing homeowners to make necessary health and safety related repairs including energy efficiency upgrades.
Last reviewed: November 2022
Enabling Policies See All
Enabling policies refer to policies, regulations, and other activities that build supportive infrastructure and policy frameworks to advance energy efficiency in a province.
Support for Financing
No support for financing identified.
Last reviewed: November 2022
Research and Development
No information available.
Last reviewed: November 2022
Lead by example
Buildings
Target to exceed the 2011 National Energy Code for Buildings by 10% for new government buildings established. The draft 2030 Energy Strategy, released in August 2017, states that government is reviewing the 2015 Model National Energy Code for Buildings to reach new targets. Capital Asset Retrofit Fund (CARF) is a rolling fund targeted at government buildings.
Vehicle Fleets
The 2030 Energy Strategy commits to fleet management, including right-sizing vehicles, assessing integration of hybrid and LNG vehicles into government fleet, use of fleet management software, training on fuel efficient driving, and pilot auxiliary heaters to reduce idling.
Last reviewed: November 2021
Grid Modernization
Advanced metering
The 2013 Energy Action Plan calls for the installation of smart meters in four communities over three years.
The territory offers net metering which allows customers to generate renewable electricity on their property to offset their power use.
Rate design
Electricity rates vary between different communities. The majority of residential electricity rates have an inclining block rate, with higher prices for higher levels of electricity usage. Businesses have a uniform electric energy charge.
Last reviewed: November 2022
Carbon Pricing
Carbon Pricing will be in place in July 2019. A carbon price will start at $20/tonne and increase annually to reach $50/tonne in 2022. Avaiation fuel is exempt and costs related to home heating will be fully rebated.
Last reviewed: November 2022
Buildings See All
Buildings are a significant and often neglected component of Canada’s infrastructure, and high-performance buildings are important for our quality of life, physical and mental health, and economic productivity
Building Codes
Housing and Small Buildings
Amendment R-103-2016 was made on August 15th, 2016 to the Fire Prevention Act adopting 2015 National Building Code, and coming into force on November 15, 2016. This includes section 9.36 concerning energy efficiency in houses and small buildings.
The City of Yellowknife adopted an Energuide 80 standard, yet removed this in June 2018 after the federal government changed the Energuide rating system. In September 2019, a new by-law adopts standards 25% higher than the 2015 National Building Code.[1]
On May 30th, 2022 the City of Yellowknife adopted the 2020 model codes (including the National Building Code) via by-law.[2]
Large Buildings
The Northwest Territories has not adopted a National Energy Code for Buildings or implemented specific criteria for energy efficiency in large buildings. However, In September, 2019, the City of Yellowknife adopted the 2017 National Energy Code for Buildings.[3]
On May 30th, 2022 Yellowknife adopted the 2020 model codes (including the National Energy Code for Buildings) via by-law.[4]
Stretch or Step Codes
No stretch of step codes.
Net-zero energy ready commitment
No net-zero energy ready commitment.
Last reviewed: November 2022
Building Code Compliance
No code compliance activities identified.
Last reviewed: November 2022
Home Energy Rating and Disclosure
Mandatory home energy rating and disclosure: None identified
Home energy labelling voluntary or pilot program: None identified
Last reviewed: November 2022
Building Energy Rating and Disclosure
Mandatory large building energy rating and disclosure: None identified
Voluntary building benchmarking and transparency program: None identified
Last reviewed: November 2022
Appliance and Equipment Market Transformation
The 2018 market transformation road map notes that increased adoption of biomass and renewable heating sources could be attractive alternatives to technologies such as cold climate heat pumps in remote and northern communities.
The Arctic Energy Alliance’s Biomass Energy Program provides technical advice, project coordination, and education on biomass technologies, including district heating in local communities. Burn it Smart workshops familiarize people with energy efficiency wood stoves and their operation.
Arctic Energy Alliance tested water heating technologies with students at Aurora College to assess efficiency, lifecycle costs, budgets, and domestic needs.
In 2013, the Arctic Energy Alliance monitored the performance of solar air heating systems.
Last reviewed: August 2020
Appliance and Equipment Standards
Northwest Territories harmonizes with federal appliance and equipment energy efficiency regulations.
Last reviewed: November 2022
Efficiency Requirements for Government Supported Housing
The Arctic Energy Alliance operates the “Community Government Building Energy Retrofit Program”. This program had a $200,000 budget in 2017/18, funded by the Government of NWT Department of Infrastructure.
Last reviewed: August 2019
Transportation See All
Policies tracked in the transporation area reflect the potential energy savings of closer integration of private transportation with buildings and electricity grids.
Zero-Emission Vehicles Mandate
There is no zero-emission vehicle mandate in Northwest Territories.
Last reviewed: November 2022
Electric Vehicle Charging Program
The AEA’s Electric Vehicle Incentive program provides support for Level 2 charging station installations (up to $500).
Last reviewed: November 2021
EV and PHEV Financial Incentives
The AEA launched the Electric Vehicle Incentive Program in June 2020, which provides rebates to reduce the cost of purchasing and using a battery electric vehicle or a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle to communities served by hydroelectricity. The program provided 18 rebates in 2021 which totaled $85,000 with an average rebate value of $4,700.
Last reviewed: November 2022
“EV Ready” Building Code
No provisions in building codes for EV/PHEV charging infrastructure identified.
Last reviewed: November 2022
Industry See All
In recognition that the industrial sector is highly varied across Canada, this database tracks policies that are broadly applicable to all industrial subsectors and provinces.
Energy Management
No information available.
Last reviewed: November 2022
Co-generation / Combined Heat and Power
No information available.
Last reviewed: August 2019
