Green Energy in Kamloops:
An Industry Snapshot

The green energy, or bioenergy, industry in Kamloops is experiencing rapid growth. Bioenergy is the renewable energy used to produce electricity, heat and bio-products production. The more common types of bioenergy being used in Kamloops right now are geothermal energy and using wood waste to produce energy. In fact, the city is home to the first geothermal community in Canada – Sun Rivers Community Development Corporation.

Kamloops is also the proud home of Nexterra Energy Corporation’s research and development facility. Nexterra develops, manufactures and delivers advanced gasification systems that enable customers to self-generate clean, low costs heat and power at industrial and institutional facilities using waste fuels. Some local companies that have benefited from their technology include Domtar and Tolko Industries Ltd.

Kamloops’ Competitive Advantages for the Green Energy Industry


Kamloops’ Location

Kamloops is a prime location to include bioenergy as a primary “pillar” for ongoing economic growth. The city’s proximity to several sawmills allows for a competitive wood waste cost incentive, plus the available beetle kill wood and chips/pulp that can support feedstock requirements. This raw wood waste has the capability of supporting future biorefinery production needs.

Strong Infrastructure

Kamloops has over 2,200 acres of affordable land zoned for industrial use, much of which is vacant. There are eight industrial parks; some with both rail and highway access and the city enjoys a reliable supply of affordable power and telecommunications.

Local Resources and Support

There are more than 125 fabrication and manufacturing companies operating in the city and businesses enjoy extensive research and development support by the Interior Science and Innovation Council, FORREX, Nexterra and Thompson Rivers University. In terms of raw materials, wood species, lumber grades, fibre supply and wood waste are available at competitive prices.

Skilled & Educated Labour Force

The city enjoys a diverse pool of trades, forestry specialists, contract loggers, truckers and silviculture workers. Additionally, Kamloops is home to Thompson Rivers University (TRU). With over 1,200 graduates annually from a wide variety of diploma, undergraduate and graduate programs, TRU works closely with community and industry organizations, and all levels of government. Since 1996, TRU faculty and students have worked with over 200 manufacturing and technology businesses to develop and implement commercial applications of new and existing technologies and innovations. Projects including consulting for wood products and other manufacturing companies, equipment automation projects for industry, technology commercialization, business start-up and marketing advice, and applied research and development to regional and provincial businesses and industries. More Information

Lifestyle

Kamloops has a vast landscape with plenty of room in which to play and engage in an array of recreational opportunities, all while enjoying over 2,000 hours of sunshine annually. Housing is affordable and the cost of doing business is competitive, plus the area boasts exceptional schooling options and healthcare services. Employee retention is high in Kamloops with employees citing an affordable, quality of life in the region as a major plus.

Incentives for the Green Energy Industry


International Business Activity (formerly International Financial Activity Act)

The province’s International Business Activity (IBA) program provides eligible corporations, and specialists who work for those corporations, a refund of the B.C. income tax paid on income related to the corporation’s international business carried on in B.C. More Information

Innovative Clean Energy (ICE) Fund

The Innovative Clean Energy (ICE) Fund encourages the development of new sources of clean energy and technologies to help support local economies in communities across B.C. ICE Fund projects create opportunities for the provincial government to forge partnerships with B.C.’s industries, municipalities and world-class universities. More Information

Green Infrastructure Programs

Your green infrastructure ideas are key to building our clean economy. We want to help you accelerate the deployment and market entry of next-generation clean energy infrastructure by investing in commercial-scale technology demonstrations, deployment, community capacity building, and targeted research and development. More Information

Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) Tax Incentive Program

The SR&ED Program is a federal tax incentive program, administered by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) that encourages Canadian businesses of all sizes, and in all sectors, to conduct research and development in Canada. It is the largest single source of federal government support for industrial R&D. The SR&ED Program gives claimants cash refunds and / or tax credits for their expenditures on eligible R&D work done in Canada. More Information

Machinery and Equipment Investment

Purchase of eligible machinery and equipment is exempted from Provincial Sales Tax (PST). Eligible expenditures include machinery and equipment used in manufacturing, software development, mining and mineral exploration, petroleum and natural gas production and logging. More Information

Green Energy Resources


Thompson Rivers University (TRU) Research

Thompson Rivers University is developing a vibrant and collaborative research and innovation culture, with a focus on curiosity-driven research, community-based research, applied research, technology transfer, and knowledge translation. The research excellence is supported through a commitment to research infrastructure, research facilities, internal research funding, research chairs, knowledge mobilization resources, and student research. More Information

National Research Council of Canada’s Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC-IRAP)

The program provides a range of technical and business-oriented advisory (ITA) services to support growth-oriented Canadian small and medium-sized enterprises. This can include non-repayable contributions to Canadian firms interested in research to develop their services, products and processes. More Information

BC Renaissance Capital Fund

The BC Renaissance Capital Fund Ltd. is a Crown corporation that is wholly owned by the B.C. Immigrant Investment Fund. The Renaissance Fund attracts successful venture capital managers and their capital to B.C. to develop promising, innovative technology companies in the province. The fund was created to pursue investment in four key technology sectors: digital media, information technology, life sciences and clean technology. To date, the Renaissance Fund has committed capital to eight venture capital fund managers based in the U.S. and Canada that have over $2.5 billion in capital under management for investment. More Information

Green Energy Organizations


Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation

The Ministry of Energy and Mines is responsible for the management of B.C.’s energy, mineral and petroleum resources to ensure environmental protection and worker safety. More Information

BC Bioenergy Network

BC Bioenergy Network is an industry-led initiative that is the catalyst for deploying near-term bioenergy technologies and supporting mission-driven research to build a world class bioenergy capability in B.C. More Information

Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC)

Sustainable Development Technology Canada is a not-for-profit foundation that finances and supports the development and demonstration of clean technologies which provide solutions to issues of climate change, clean air, water quality and soil, and which deliver economic, environmental and health benefits to Canadians. More Information

B.C. Environment Industry Association (BCEIA)

An industry association comprising engineering & environmental service companies and technology companies working to support those who protect the environment. More Information

B.C. Hydro Programs & Incentives

B.C. Hydro has funding and incentives for many projects from energy studies and capital projects to hiring an energy manager and developing a comprehensive energy plan. More Information

Wood Pellet Association of Canada

A member-driven organization advancing the interests of Canadian wood pellet producers. Their goal is to help members grow through promoting the role of wood pellets in the Canadian and global markets, supporting market and technical research, and encouraging fair and open energy trade. More Information

Canadian Renewable Fuels Association (CRFA)

The foundation works to promote and advance the use of renewable fuels for transportation – to protect our environment by reducing harmful emissions and to grow our economy by creating the good, green-energy jobs of the future. More Information

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