Medium and large businesses: up to 75% of eligible costs paid by Hydro‑Québec. If you take the right door.
Hydro‑Québec funds the purchase and installation of heat pumps and other efficient equipment in commercial, institutional and industrial buildings. The rules changed on March 31, 2026: lower minimum, higher cap, ENERGY STAR heat pumps required. Here is the program as it stands today, with tools to see where you stand.
First reflex: the rate printed on your bill.
The component does not depend on headcount or revenue. It depends on the building’s electricity rate. Pick yours.
Simplified or custom? Three questions, one answer.
The Medium and Large Businesses component has two doors. Picking the wrong one is costly: one opens after the work, the other before.
Are your measures predefined in the OSE tool? Heat pumps, heat recovery, LED lighting, variable frequency drives, building envelope, solar panels…
Will the project save at least 25,000 kWh a year across all the buildings involved?
Have you already signed a contract with a contractor or bought equipment for this project?
Not sure about question 1? The OSE tool is a free download that lists every eligible measure. An OSE measure can exceptionally go through the Custom Offer for a special application, with Hydro‑Québec’s prior approval.
How much? Hydro‑Québec pays the smallest of four amounts.
For the Custom Offer, the rule is public: enter your numbers and see which limit holds you back. For the Simplified Offer, the OSE tool calculates measure by measure; the other tab checks the caps.
Participant’s guide, March 2026, section 4.5.2. Indicative estimate: Hydro‑Québec revises the support based on the project’s actual results.
The OSE tool calculates each measure’s support. Then two rules from the guide apply: a $5M cap per project and a minimum 25% contribution by the business (60% for solar panels). And the support must reach at least $1,000.
Participant’s guide, March 2026, sections 3.1 and 3.2; Conditions and Undertaking, section 4.1.
The multi-measure bonus: combine, and the support goes up.
In the same building, combine measures from these three groups. OSE 6.0 applies the bonus. Tick what you plan to do.
Two projects published by Hydro‑Québec, line by line.
In both cases, heat pumps make up almost all of the support. Lighting is small change.
The other published examples
Amounts rounded by Hydro‑Québec. The OSE version used is not stated, and support for DLC Premium LED fixtures went down on March 31, 2026: those lines would be lower today.
The full path. And the moment it all hinges on.
Your start date decides the rules. Your invoices decide the rest.
Which version applies to your project?
Custom Offer: the rules are set by the date Hydro‑Québec confirms it received the compliant proposal.
The complete file
Eight ways to lose the support.
Both offers, side by side.
Four years of rules, in seven dates.
The answers, with the rule behind them.
Who can participate?
Any business or organization established in Québec with a Québec enterprise number (NEQ), whose commercial, institutional or industrial building is on a business rate other than G or Flex G and supplied by Hydro‑Québec or an eligible off-grid, municipal or cooperative system. Buildings with 20 or more units are also eligible.
I rent my premises. Am I eligible?
The project must involve a building you own, operate, occupy or build. You must state your link to the building and, on request, provide proof.
Can I start work before applying?
Simplified Offer: yes, you actually apply after installation. Custom Offer: no, Hydro‑Québec must receive and accept the proposal before the work start date.
What is the “work start date”?
The earlier of two dates: signing the first contract with the contractor, or the first equipment purchase, proven by a purchase order or an invoice.
Can I stack it with another grant?
Be careful. Hydro‑Québec can refuse or claw back the support if the same project is filed with another of its programs or another body’s. Heat pumps filed under ÉcoPerformance, commercial and institutional Dual-energy component, are excluded. For the Custom Offer, you must declare any other support obtained or requested. Check with Hydro‑Québec before filing elsewhere.
Is the support taxable?
Hydro‑Québec issues an RL-27 slip, except to a tax-exempt organization. The support is an incentive payment that may reduce the cost of an asset or expense, or count as income. It is generally subject to GST and QST. Talk to your tax advisor.
What must each purchase or installation invoice show?
Date and number, seller or installer name and address, your company name, an installation address matching the building, equipment details (model, quantity, price) and GST and QST numbers. All documents must be in French.
Can Hydro‑Québec come and check?
Yes, up to 5 years after the work ends, during normal hours and with 48 hours’ notice. If the equipment does not match the documents, the support can be revised, cancelled or clawed back.
What about the energy analysis?
It is a separate component of the program: up to $50,000 for an energy efficiency analysis, or $60,000 if it includes demand response. The building must use at least 1 GWh a year. Hydro‑Québec pays 40% of eligible costs when the report is filed, then 60% once measures are implemented.
Can a partner file for me?
Yes. At your request, a partner can fill out and send the OSE form on your behalf, but you remain responsible for the data. An aggregator files on behalf of several clients, with a Notice of participation signed by each.
Commercial heat pumps chosen and installed to pass verification.
AirGreen is not mandated by Hydro‑Québec, and Hydro‑Québec does not recommend any supplier. Your business files the project and receives the support. Program questions: Hydro‑Québec, 1 800 463‑9900.
Sources checked on September 22, 2026. Hydro‑Québec, Participant’s Guide, Efficient Solutions Program, Medium and Large Businesses component, March 2026 (code 2026G307, in French only); Conditions and Undertaking, March 2026; Participant’s Guide, Small Businesses component, March 2026; notice “Changes to the programs and version 6.0 of the OSE tool,” March 31, 2026; Hydro‑Québec pages Efficient equipment, OSE calculation tool, Transition rules, Heat pumps, Energy analysis, Project examples and Rates. Hydro‑Québec’s older “Medium and large businesses” page still shows 2024 rules ($2,500, $3M); the March 2026 guide prevails. Amounts calculated here are indicative; only Hydro‑Québec confirms the support granted.
