Municipal Energy Plan Program (Ontario) Grant for Community Energy Planning (Up to $90,000)

Deadline: 31-Dec-2026

The Ontario Municipal Energy Plan Program (MEP) provides grant funding to help Ontario communities develop or update community energy plans. The program supports activities such as improving energy efficiency, reducing energy use and greenhouse gas emissions, and planning for future energy needs. Funding is available on an ongoing basis, with the application deadline shown as 31-Dec-2026. The Municipal Energy Plan Program (MEP) helps municipalities develop plans to support cleaner, more efficient energy use. Funded planning work is intended to help communities: The program has two streams depending on whether a municipality is creating a new plan or updating an existing one. The program does not provide funding to implement existing plans. If approved, municipalities enter into a transfer payment agreement with the province. The province covers 50% of eligible costs, up to stream-specific maximums. Applicants can either fund the project themselves or seek additional funding from other sources, including other levels of government and community stakeholders.

Stream 2 applicants:

The program is open to all Ontario municipalities, including upper-tier municipalities. The program is for municipal planning work under the two streams described above. Implementation of existing plans is not funded. MEP funding supports planning activities that help communities improve energy outcomes, including: Municipal energy planning can help communities make evidence-based decisions about energy efficiency, emissions reduction, and future energy demand. By supporting baseline data work, stakeholder engagement, and plan development or updates, the Municipal Energy Plan Program enables municipalities to prepare for growth and clean energy opportunities—without funding the implementation phase of existing plans. The source states that municipalities should begin the application process by applying online through Transfer Payment Ontario. The source indicates applications are accepted on an ongoing basis and municipalities can apply at any time throughout the year, with the opportunity deadline shown as 31-Dec-2026. Lower-tier municipalities must submit a letter from their upper-tier municipality confirming support. If you have questions, email [contact details removed]. What is the Municipal Energy Plan Program (MEP)? MEP is an Ontario grant program that helps municipalities develop or update community energy plans to improve energy efficiency, reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, and plan for future energy needs. Which municipalities can apply? All Ontario municipalities can apply, including upper-tier municipalities. Lower-tier municipalities must include a letter from their upper-tier municipality confirming support. What funding amount can municipalities receive? The province covers 50% of eligible costs up to stream-specific maximums: up to $90,000 for Stream 1 and up to $25,000 for Stream 2 (with “whichever is less” conditions described in the source). Does MEP fund implementation of existing energy plans? No. The program does not provide funding to implement existing plans. What activities are eligible under Stream 1? Stream 1 supports stakeholder engagement, gathering baseline energy data and analysis (which may include an energy map), and creating a plan. What activities are eligible under Stream 2? Stream 2 supports updating or augmenting sections of an existing energy plan, such as updating utility or structure data and creating new or additional implementation plans or maps, with a requirement to clearly link the project to the existing plan. How do municipalities apply? Municipalities apply online through Transfer Payment Ontario. The source also states applications are accepted on an ongoing basis, and the opportunity deadline is 31-Dec-2026. Review the official Municipal Energy Plan Program guidance on the Government of Ontario website and confirm which stream best matches your municipality’s needs (new plan vs. updating an existing plan). Then prepare your application for submission through Transfer Payment Ontario, ensuring eligibility requirements—especially the upper-tier support letter for lower-tier municipalities—are met.