December 20, 2018 - Calgary, Alberta - Natural Gas Innovation Fund – Today the Natural Gas Innovation Fund™ (NGIF) makes three major announcements: seven Canadian natural gas producers have joined the fund to advance cleantech innovation and improve environmental performance and greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction in Canada’s natural gas energy system; a $3 million funding call is opening for cleantech solutions for the development and production of natural gas; and a Federal/Provincial Government and Industry collaboration on GHG emission reduction in natural gas energy across Canada is being launched.
Birchcliff Energy Ltd., Canadian Natural Resources Limited, Chevron Canada Limited, Perpetual Energy Inc., PETRONAS Energy Canada Ltd., Shell Canada Energy, and Tourmaline Oil Corp. will be investing in cleantech innovation in the upstream natural gas sector through NGIF. This positions NGIF as a Canadian innovation leader and the first cleantech innovation fund in Canadian history focused on improving environmental performance and GHG reduction across the full natural gas value chain. NGIF currently has six natural gas utilities – ATCO Gas Ltd., Enbridge Gas Distribution Inc., FortisBC Energy Inc., Pacific Northern Gas Ltd., SaskEnergy, and Union Gas Ltd. – investing in downstream distribution and consumer solutions.
NGIF is opening a $3 million call for funding applications to advance cleantech solutions directed at natural gas producers. We will make up to $1 million in non-dilutive funding available per project, representing as much as 25 per cent of a project’s eligible expenses. The call is directed at small to medium enterprises and technology development start-ups to advance cleantech innovation and drive environmental performance and GHG reduction in the development and production of natural gas in Canada.
The deadline for submissions is February 13, 2019. Please visit www.ngif.ca for all details.
NGIF, together with Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA), Alberta Innovates (AI) and the Province of British Columbia Innovative Clean Energy ICE Fund (ICE Fund) will collaborate on this funding call under trusted partner relationships. To demonstrate their support for the engagement of producers in the fund, NRCan, ERA, AI and ICE Fund will consider co-funding successful NGIF applicants that have projects which deliver significant GHG emission reduction and are located in Canada, Alberta and British Columbia, respectively.
All three announcements will position Canada – already a leader in the responsible and economic production and use of natural gas – as a more competitive global leader in cleantech innovation across the natural gas value chain.
“This call for proposals is the result of a successful partnership between our government, the Natural Gas Innovation Fund, and the provinces of Alberta and British Columbia. We are proud to support initiatives such as this, which encourage the commercialization of clean technologies that will boost the economy and create good middle-class jobs while helping Canada reach its climate targets.”
The Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources
“Like the NGIF, Emissions Reduction Alberta works to accelerate the development of clean technologies to help meet Alberta’s economic and climate leadership goals. This partnership will leverage the strengths and capacities of both ERA and the Natural Gas Innovation Fund to support innovations that will allow Alberta to produce natural gas in more sustainable and economically-competitive ways.”
The Honourable Shannon Phillips, Alberta Minister of Environment and Parks
“As we put jobs and diversification first, this is a great partnership between Alberta Innovates and the Natural Gas Innovation Fund supporting the next generation of made-in-Alberta technology. Together, we’re helping our energy sector add value to our resources and create more good jobs here at home, while reducing emissions. We’re pleased to continue supporting the commercialization of game-changing clean-tech that will lead to a more diversified and resilient economy that benefits all Albertans.”
The Honourable Deron Bilous, Alberta Minister of Economic Development and Trade
“This partnership with the Natural Gas Innovation Fund strengthens our commitment to responsible energy development and is consistent with our greenhouse gas-reduction goals. We now have new opportunities to collaborate and advance clean technology that supports responsible natural gas production, encourages investment and creates good, high-paying jobs for British Columbians.”
The Honourable Michelle Mungall, B.C. Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources
“This funding from the NGIF represents an important opportunity for collaboration and leverage. As a Trusted Partner of ERA, we look forward to considering NGIF applicants for possible co-funding to help support both GHG reductions and project development in Alberta.”
Steve MacDonald, CEO, Emissions Reduction Alberta
“Innovation and clean technologies are key to reducing greenhouse gases in Alberta. We are pleased to play a role in this important endeavour with Natural Gas Innovation Fund projects and partners where our mandates align. The work we do today will pay off in dividends, creating a greener future. That’s not only good for Alberta but for Canada and beyond.”
Laura Kilcrease, CEO, Alberta Innovates
“I am very pleased to welcome producers to the Natural Gas Innovation Fund. The Canadian natural gas delivery industry has made innovation a key focus making investments around the use of our fuel and our infrastructure. Natural gas is an affordable, clean, safe, and reliable energy choice for Canadian consumers and further investments made through this fund will only build on that value proposition.”
Steve Baker, President, Union Gas Limited, and Chair, Canadian Gas Association
“We believe that innovation and technology are fundamental to the natural gas industry in Western Canada and we are pleased to be a part of the Natural Gas Innovation Fund. Supporting new technologies and innovative solutions will help our industry to develop this vital natural resource in an even more responsible and clean manner.”
Jeff Tonken – President and Chief Executive Officer, Birchcliff Energy Ltd.
“Canadian Natural’s support for the Natural Gas Innovation Fund is part of our strong commitment to investing in research and development and driving innovation. Through this collaborative effort, we have a unique opportunity to fund projects that will accelerate deployment of cost-effective technology solutions to further improve environmental performance in the natural gas sector.”
Tim McKay, President, Canadian Natural Resources Limited
“Technology plays an important role in helping Chevron deliver affordable and reliable energy. Chevron embraces ingenuity and is pleased to support the Natural Gas Innovation Fund and its efforts to advance technology that fuels human progress and economic growth.”
Frank Cassulo, President, Chevron Canada Limited
“Innovative thinking has always been foundational to the upstream natural gas sector. We are excited about the collaboration the Natural Gas Innovation Fund process will now bring as a key enabler to our industry’s efforts to effectively develop and deploy new technologies for ever-cleaner natural gas for consumers.”
Susan L. Riddell Rose – President and Chief Executive Officer, Perpetual Energy Inc.
“As a producer of natural gas, we’re big believers in the need for affordable, clean energy for all people worldwide. In an age where technology has become the catalyst for exponential advancements in our industry, we’re excited to be involved in the Natural Gas Innovation Fund which pursues diversity of thought and provides a platform for sharing solutions.”
Mark Fitzgerald, President and CEO, PETRONAS Energy Canada Ltd.
“Investing in Canadian innovation is always a smart move. Canadian gas has the potential to displace more carbon intensive energy sources both here in Canada and around the world. The Natural Gas Innovation Fund is an open invitation for entrepreneurs to help us further enhance our sector’s leading environmental performance.”
Michael Crothers, President and Country Chair, Shell Canada
“The development and innovative application of continually improving technology through the Natural Gas Innovation Fund will allow Canada to expand its role as a world leader in the natural gas industry. Ever, cleaner burning natural gas represents a remarkable economic and environmental improvement opportunity for Tourmaline, Canada and the world.”
Mike Rose, President, CEO and Chairman of Tourmaline Oil Corp.
“I am both excited and grateful for the confidence and support as the Natural Gas Innovation Fund welcomes its new investors and trusted partners who are committed to driving cleantech innovation in natural gas production and I look forward to welcoming proposals from innovators.”
John Adams, Managing Director, Natural Gas Innovation Fund
“We created NGIF to help drive innovation in the natural gas value chain. I am very excited to have natural gas producers join with the natural gas delivery industry to further advance this goal.”
Timothy M. Egan, President and CEO, Canadian Gas Association
NGIF was created by the Canadian Gas Association to support the funding of cleantech innovation in natural gas. NGIF fills a technology development gap in the sector and invests in innovation led by cleantech start-ups and small and medium-sized enterprises enabling natural gas solutions for current and emerging challenges facing Canada’s energy system.
Trusted partners are those that fit all of the following criteria:
Annik Aubry
Director, Communications and Social Media
Canadian Gas Association
613-748-0057
aaubry@cga.ca
John Adams
Managing Director
Natural Gas Innovation Fund
613 748 0057
jadams@cga.ca
