Innovative Clean Energy (ICE) Fund
The ICE Fund is a Special Account, funded through a levy on certain energy sales, designed to support the Province's energy, economic, environmental and greenhouse gas reduction priorities, and to advance B.C.'s clean energy sector.
Since 2008, the ICE Fund has committed approximately $110 million to support pre-commercial clean energy technology projects, clean energy vehicles, research and development, and energy efficiency programs.
Successful ICE Fund partnerships have included universities, First Nations, municipalities and many emerging clean tech companies across British Columbia. Technology demonstrations have included bioenergy, solar, ocean tidal, geo-exchange, desalination, energy management, smart grid and waste-to-energy.
Under its current three year spending plan for 2021/22 to 2023/24, ICE Fund supported initiatives include:
- B.C.-SDTC Joint Call Partnership - Since March 2017, the Province's joint call partnership with Sustainable Development Technology Canada continues to support the development of pre-commercial clean energy projects and technologies in British Columbia.
- Trusted Partnership - Under a trusted partner relationship with the Natural Gas Innovation Fund (NGIF) - the ICE Fund will consider co-funding successful NGIF Applicants that have projects that deliver significant GHG emissions reductions in British Columbia.
- B.C.'s Hydrogen Strategy - Announced in July 2021, the Strategy will guide the development of B.C.'s hydrogen economy and serve as the Province's regional blueprint under the federal government's Hydrogen Strategy for Canada. The ICE Fund will support Hydrogen Strategy implementation with funding for the development of the hydrogen regulatory framework and increased engagement, as well as the development of codes and standards.