A new British Columbia provincial government incentive program and juried competition aims to incentivize and support net-zero energy-ready high-rise residential buildings, offices, schools and other larger buildings.
Better Buildings BC: The Net-Zero Energy-Ready Challenge is a provincial incentive program and juried competition to support and celebrate the design and construction of complex buildings that achieve the top step of the BC Energy Step Code. Projects targeting Passive House certification are also eligible, as are those that meet the highest level of the Zero Emissions Building Plan.
The program is open to developers, architects, and/or engineers who are proposing any new Part 3 construction project, such as larger multi-family residential buildings, office, retail/commercial, or institutional buildings. Major building renovations are eligible to participate.
Incentives are available to help offset the incremental design and construction costs associated with high performance building. In addition, successful applicants will be given an award and celebrated as leaders in innovative building design in British Columbia, and showcased to the building industry and the public.
The overall goal is to showcase high-performance buildings that use innovative and cost-effective strategies and approaches. Prospective applicants must submit an expression of interest by the end of November, and the Minister of Mines, Energy and Petroleum Resources will make final decisions in June 2019. For more information, visit efficiencyBC.ca/betterbuildings.