The Spring 2026 round of the RFP for WPPI energy efficiency projects is now open, creating a limited time incentive opportunity for large commercial, industrial, and institutional customers to secure substantial funding for high-impact energy improvements. With up to $200,000 in incentive funding available per bid cycle, this competitive program is designed to help organizations overcome financial barriers and move forward with projects that deliver significant energy and demand reductions.
Program Overview and Timeline
WPPI Energy’s Request for Proposals (RFP) for Energy Efficiency Program offers an alternative to traditional prescriptive rebates. Rather than relying on fixed dollar-per-fixture or dollar-per-kilowatt incentives, participants submit a customized project proposal and request the level of incentive needed to make the project financially viable. All proposals are reviewed, scored, and ranked, with funding awarded to the highest-value projects until available dollars are fully committed.
For the Spring 2026 round, the key dates are:
Program start date: February 2
Applications due: March 20
Awards announcement: April 17
This defined window means project planning, savings analysis, and financial justification need to be completed quickly. Because awards are competitive and funding is limited, early preparation can significantly improve the chances of securing an incentive.
Who is Eligible?
The program is open to all commercial, industrial, and institutional customers receiving electric service from a WPPI member utility. Proposals may be submitted directly by the customer or in partnership with an equipment vendor, engineering consultant, contractor, or other third-party service provider.
To qualify, projects must meet at least one of the following thresholds:
- Reduce annual energy consumption by 100,000 kilowatt-hours or more, and/or
- Reduce on-peak electrical demand by at least 20 kilowatts between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, during the months of June, July, August, and September.
Multiple energy-saving measures may be bundled into a single proposal, and savings may be aggregated across multiple facilities, provided each site is served by a WPPI member utility and owned and operated by the same parent company. This makes the RFP for WPPI energy efficiency projects especially valuable for organizations with multi-site portfolios, such as manufacturers, healthcare systems, universities, distribution centers, and large commercial real estate owners.
Don’t Miss the WPPI RFP Deadline
The WPPI Energy Efficiency RFP is a limited-time opportunity, and applications must be submitted by March 20. Preparing a compliant, competitive RFP requires clear project scope, accurate documentation, and alignment with program requirements.
Schedule a call with our experts for hands-on assistance developing your RFP and positioning your project for approval, before the deadline passes.
Funding Structure and Incentive Strategy
Unlike standard rebate programs with predetermined incentive amounts, the RFP allows customers to request the incentive level required to meet internal financial goals. Eligible organizations may bid for the incentive needed to satisfy ROI targets, corporate hurdle rates, payback requirements, or risk thresholds, while still maintaining eligibility for other utility or public funding programs.
Each bid cycle makes up to $200,000 in total incentive funding available. Projects are ranked based on factors such as:
- Magnitude of energy and demand savings
- Overall cost-effectiveness
- Project scope and comprehensiveness
- Quality and clarity of technical documentation
- Strength of the financial justification and statement of need
Higher-ranking projects are funded first, which makes it essential that proposals clearly demonstrate both technical performance and business value.
Types of Projects
The RFP is intended for large, custom energy efficiency projects rather than small, single-measure upgrades. Common qualifying measures include:
- Advanced LED lighting systems and networked lighting controls
- HVAC system upgrades, including variable frequency drives and high-efficiency chillers or boilers
- Ventilation and air-handling improvements
- Compressed air system optimization
- High-efficiency motors, pumps, and process equipment
- Building automation and integrated control systems
Past funded projects have included ventilation control upgrades in large healthcare facilities, right-sizing the industrial blowers and motors, and compressed air system replacements using variable-speed technology. These projects not only reduced energy consumption and peak demand, but also improved reliability, indoor comfort, and operational resilience.
Limited Funding. Firm Deadline.
WPPI’s Energy Efficiency RFP window is open, but only for a short time. If you’re considering lighting, HVAC, or energy-efficiency upgrades, now is the time to act.
Schedule a call with our rebate and project experts to get help structuring your RFP, confirming eligibility, and submitting on time before March 20.
Key Components
To participate in the current cycle, applicants must submit a complete Bid Application Form along with several supporting documents:
Project Background
A detailed description of the proposed project and how it was selected, such as through an energy audit, capital planning process, or long-term efficiency strategy. This section should also describe alternative measures that were evaluated, non-energy benefits, and whether the project could serve as a model for similar upgrades at other facilities.
Statement of Need
A financial narrative explaining why the requested incentive is necessary to move the project forward. This may include ROI analysis, payback periods, corporate hurdle rates, risk considerations, and information on other funding sources such as rebates, grants, financing programs, or manufacturer incentives.
Vendor Proposal
A comprehensive proposal from the selected contractor or equipment supplier, including technical specifications, equipment details, and the total installed cost of the project.
Estimate of Savings
A transparent calculation of baseline energy use and projected reductions in kilowatt-hours and kilowatts. All assumptions, equations, and methodologies should be clearly documented, along with a plan for post-installation measurement and verification.
Project Timeline
A schedule showing major milestones such as internal approvals, design and engineering, procurement, installation, commissioning, and final project completion.
Why Act Now
With applications due March 20 and awards announced April 17, the Spring 2026 round represents a narrow window to take advantage of this limited time incentive opportunity. For organizations planning major energy upgrades in the coming year, the RFP for WPPI energy efficiency projects can provide a critical financial boost, shortening payback periods, improving ROI, and helping projects clear internal approval thresholds.
By assembling strong technical documentation, a clear financial case, and a well-defined implementation plan, eligible customers can position themselves to compete successfully for incentive funding and move forward with energy efficiency projects that deliver long-term operational and economic value. Rebate management experts can streamline the process leading to an increase in savings and peace of mind. To learn more, contact Incentive Rebate360 today. Contact us by calling 480-653-8180, emailing [email protected], or scheduling a call that fits your needs by clicking the button below!
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