The Ontario government is further expanding its offerings under the Energy Efficiency Framework by introducing the new Peak Performance program. The new initiative will use financial incentives to encourage commercial and institutional properties to reduce heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) use during periods of high demand. 

If your facilities curtail an average of 1.25 MW over the 2026 season, you could earn up to $94,000. How it works: When a high-demand day is forecast, you’ll get notified in advance. If you reduce your HVAC output during a demand response event, you’ll earn incentives based on the energy savings of your buildings.

Eligible facilities will be able to participate by signing up to reduce HVAC use for up to three hours on business days, between June 1 and September 30, in response to high system demand. Participants must be able to reduce at least 500 kilowatts or contribute to a portfolio of aggregated load reduction of at least 500 kilowatts to be eligible and will receive a $20 per kilowatt incentive to offset the cost of monitoring and control equipment.

Ontario’s Energy Efficiency Framework is forecasted to reduce the province’s peak demand by 3,000 megawatts by 2036, the equivalent of taking three million homes off the grid. By lowering operating costs for households and businesses and freeing up electricity capacity, these measures help strengthen Ontario’s competitiveness on the global stage and support the government’s goal of making Ontario one of the most competitive economies in the G7.

Visit saveonenergy.ca/PeakPerformance to learn more.

Source:  Ontario Ministry of Energy and Mines April 17, 2026 news release