The Aboriginal Renewable Energy Fund (AREF) is designed to provide funding for First Nations and Métis communities to develop renewable energy generation facilities. The program assists qualifying Aboriginal communities in paying for a portion of the project costs associated with developing a renewable energy project. These costs include environmental studies, resource assessments, business plans and engineering designs. Aboriginal communities can receive up to a maximum of $500,000 per project.

AREF funding is available for three phases of project development:

1. Pre-Feasibility Phase: 80 percent of actual costs.

2. Design and Development Phase: 60 percent of actual costs.

3. Regulatory Approvals Phase: 40 percent of actual costs.

Please click the links above for more information about each phase or see the Program Rules for more details about the AREF.