New innovation challenge supports B.C. companies developing renewable-energy marine technologies
VICTORIA - As part of the Look West economic strategy, which includes a focus on growing B.C.'s maritime sector, B.C. technology companies will be able to apply for the COAST (Centre for Ocean Applied Sustainable Technologies) Innovation Challenge.
"Through our Look West economic strategy, we're creating opportunities for B.C.'s technology sector to lead Canada's maritime transition to renewable energy,"said Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Jobs and Economic Growth. "The COAST Innovation Challenge will help our local innovators develop solutions that serve both civilian and defence maritime operations, building a stronger, more independent B.C. economy while advancing our clean-energy future."
The challenge is designed to help the maritime industry, including the Canadian Coast Guard and Royal Canadian Navy, transition to renewable energy through the Province's Integrated Marketplace platform.
"My new role is about helping align B.C.'s marine businesses with Canada's defence and sovereignty priorities. This new funding will accelerate the sector's transition to renewable energy, as part of our Look West plan,"said Darlene Rotchford, parliamentary secretary for armed forces development and veterans affairs. "By growing sectors like shipbuilding, clean energy and emerging technologies, we're supporting B.C. companies, entrepreneurs and workers to seize on generational opportunities, to lead in innovation and strengthen our economy."
Supporting clean-energy innovation
Delivered through the Province's Integrated Marketplace by Innovate BC, in partnership with COAST, the new challenge will provide successful applicants with:
- up to $100,000 or 50% of eligible project costs if they are successful in the competition testing and demonstration
- support from the B.C. Marine Energy and Decarbonization Hub
The call for applications closes on Dec. 31, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. (Pacific time).
"For blue economy entrepreneurs, finding appropriate testing and demonstration sites poses a major challenge on the pathway to commercialization,"said Jason Goldsworthy, executive director, COAST. "The B.C. Marine Energy and Decarbonization Hub's inaugural innovation challenge offers a unique program to address these issues by allowing multiple technology providers to demonstrate their innovations directly within and to the communities and industry clientele they aim to serve."
This initiative leverages B.C.'s coastal geography to test, demonstrate and de-risk renewable energy technologies that can benefit organizations and groups such as the Canadian Coast Guard, First Nations and coastal communities seeking energy sovereignty.
Seeking technology solutions:
- Energy generation from renewable sources (wave, tidal, off- and on-shore wind, solar)
- Energy management and storage to increase capacity and resilience
- Rapidly deployable, modular and scalable systems
"Enabling innovation and the adoption of new technologies is essential to ensuring our industries remain competitive, resilient and future-focused,"said Peter Cowan, president and CEO, Innovate BC, "The Integrated Marketplace is a platform to leverage the strength of our province's innovators to drive transformation. Through this innovation challenge in partnership with COAST, we're not only accelerating maritime operations'transition to renewable energy, but also strengthening the foundations of a critical sector that underpins our economy."
This work is part of the Province's Look West plan for jobs and industry, which outlines B.C.'s vision to deliver jobs and opportunities for people by strengthening the workforce to develop a more independent economy.
This includes delivering major projects faster, diversifying markets and growing targeted sectors, such as technology, aerospace, marine, AI and Quantum, life sciences, agriculture and construction innovation.
Quick Fact:
B.C.'s investment in the Integrated Marketplace includes up to $41.5 million from the Ministry of Jobs and Economic Growth.
Learn More:
Contact:
Ministry of Jobs and Economic Growth
Media Relations
250-880-5179
Comments