Industrial Energy Efficiency

The B.C. government is committed to advancing the efficiency of energy use in B.C.'s industrial sector. Through improved energy efficiency, B.C. industry can lower operating costs, reduce emissions and increase business competitiveness. 

Energy Management

Facilitating a system-wide, continuous improvement approach to energy management is a key area of focus for the Ministry.

In June 2011, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) published the ISO 50001 Energy Management Systems Standard. The Canadian Standards Association (CSA) adopted this standard and published a Canadian version, entitled CAN/CSA-ISO 50001 Energy Management Systems.

ISO 50001 provides a voluntary framework and guidance materials to facilitate the systematic and continuous improvement of total energy management. It has been reported that industries can save between 10% and 20% of their annual energy use within the first five years of implementing an energy management standard.

• Find out more about ISO 50001

Energy Management Resources

The following assistance for energy management is available to industry in British Columbia:

• B.C. – Natural Resources Canada ISO 50001 Standard Incentive offers up to $80,000 of cost-shared assistance to B.C. industrial companies to implement energy management system projects that help facilities pursue compliance with ISO 50001
• BC Hydro – Strategic Energy Management Program provides electrical energy management resources to industry, including an assessment of energy management practices, the development of an energy management plan and co-funding for an energy manager

Product Standards

B.C.'s Energy Efficiency Act sets energy performance standards for devices that use, control or affect the use of energy. On January 1, 2011, B.C. introduced an energy efficiency standard for general purpose electric motors (1 to 500hp) that impacts the industrial sector. The regulation is harmonized with the Natural Resources Canada energy efficiency standard for electric motors that came into force on April 12, 2012.

• Read B.C.'s standard for general purpose electric motors