Overhead to Underground Power Program
Overhead to Underground Power Program
The City is launching the Overhead to Underground Power Program to encourage greater housing and an improved public realm at key locations in established areas. Funded by the Housing Accelerator Fund, this program helps offset the cost of relocating overhead power lines underground to facilitate housing.
Program overview
Calgary is in a housing crisis — over 84,600 households can’t afford their current homes. In response, Council approved Calgary’s Housing Strategy that outlines how The City will act through planning, regulation, funding and infrastructure.
As part of its commitment, The City is upgrading infrastructure to support new housing by incentivizing the overhead-to-underground conversion of electrical systems.
This program is open to developers in the early planning stages of multi-residential projects in Calgary’s established areas. Before applying, review our sample application to understand the information you’ll need to provide.
Program objectives
The Overhead to Underground Power Program helps remove redevelopment barriers by burying overhead powerlines in areas planned for mid-to-high density housing. The program has the following goals:
-
Encourage collaboration
Work with nearby developments to make projects more cost-effective and create a bigger impact.
-
Test new approaches
Try different utility burial methods to build a program that works city-wide.
-
Improve urban design
Move utilities underground to support better planning and more attractive streets.
Project eligibility criteria
This program is designed to support projects in the early planning stages — ideally before development permit submission — so that utility burial can meaningfully influence project feasibility, improve site design and enable higher-density housing. While later-stage projects may still be considered, early engagement allows for greater flexibility, impact and alignment with program goals.
To apply for funding, projects must meet all the following conditions:
- Be located within the Developed Area, as defined in the Municipal Development Plan and within an approved Local Area Plan policy that permits built forms of six storeys or more.
- Associated with new multi-residential uses (as listed in Part 6 and Part 14 of the Land use Bylaw 1P2007), excluding hotels and a built form of four or more storeys.
- Address existing overhead powerline setbacks that demonstrably limit the housing potential of proposed residential development and/or introduce construction and maintenance challenges to large-scale redevelopment.
- Has not proceeded to construction of an overhead-to-underground power conversion.
Meeting the eligibility criteria is required, but does not guarantee funding. Applications are evaluated based on how well they align with the program’s objective — particularly the potential for utility burial to shape project feasibility and design.
Projects that demonstrate these conditions will be prioritized for funding:
- Strong feasibility.
- Build on prior City investments.
- Are located in areas with growth momentum and supportive amenities.
- Create a wider benefitting area beyond the immediate development site.
In addition, non-market housing projects are of particular interest and may receive special consideration due to their community benefits and alignment with broader social and corporate objectives.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to engage with the program team early in the planning process. Early engagement allows for greater flexibility, strategic impact and a clearer understanding of how the program can support your project.
Resources
Funding
What costs are covered?
The program helps cover the cost of moving overhead powerlines underground to increase developable land and simplify construction.
Funding covers:
- Civil construction for underground relocation of distribution-level infrastructure.
- Scoping/design.
- Pole removal.
- Restoration work.
- Permitting or coordination costs tied to burial.
Funding doesn't cover costs related to:
- Site servicing.
- Addressing conflicts with other infrastructure.
- Power network extensions or regional transmission work.
- Relocating telecommunications infrastructure (applicants’ responsibility).
How much funding can applicants receive?
The City uses a return-on-investment (ROI) model to decide how much funding your project can receive. In general, the more housing units your project delivers relative to its cost, the higher The City’s funding contribution will be — up to 80 per cent for projects with strong ROI.
Projects with more units tend to have shorter investment recovery periods and are eligible for more funding. Non-market housing projects are given special consideration and may receive additional funding outside of the standard ROI formula.
Think beyond your site: coordination bonus
You can increase your funding by considering and/or coordinating with nearby landowners or developers. If your burial project also unlocks future development potential on adjacent sites, the City may include those units in the ROI calculation —boosting your funding share.
To qualify for a coordination bonus, future development must:
- Be adjacent or connected by the same power corridor.
- Be supported by planning policy (e.g. zoning or Local Area Plans that allow four our more storeys).
- Be visibly impacted by overhead powerline setbacks.
- Be vacant, underused, or actively moving toward redevelopment.
Strategic coordination can make your project more cost-effective and unlock more funding. We encourage applicants to engage early with neighboring landowners to explore shared benefits and maximize impact.
Note: There are limits to the amount of cost coverage available, and we aim to partner with you in managing expenses. Once funding is exhausted, no further support can be provided until additional funding becomes available.
How to apply
We recommend reaching out to us early in your project planning. Email overhead2underground@calgary.ca to start a conversation about your site's eligibility and how the program might apply.
Stage one: review
Stage one: review
Refer to the application guidelines to get a sense of what will need to be submitted in your application. Once submitted, we’ll first check that the application is complete and meets the program’s eligibility criteria. If eligible, we’ll carry out a full evaluation to assess alignment with program objectives, technical feasibility and other factors.
Based on this review, we’ll bring forward a recommendation to our decision-making body. If your application is approved, you’ll then proceed to a funding agreement, supported by a detailed scope of work and cost estimate from ENMAX and/or qualified contractors.
Formal submission requirements and decision criteria are outlined in the program guideline and all applications must meet these standards to be considered.
Stage two: funding
Stage two: funding
Before a funding agreement can be signed, applicants must provide The City with detailed documentation about their burial project.
What you’ll need to provide:
- Cost estimates
- A formal quote from ENMAX that separates burial costs from other expenses like servicing or power extensions.
- Cost estimates from any private contractors you engage.
- Project drawings
- A red-line drawing from ENMAX that matches the cost estimate and shows the scope of work.
- Comparable drawings from private contractors, if applicable.
- Development permit information
- Proof of your development permit submission, such as your file number.
- Additional documentation (if power lines affect construction)
- A site plan showing your proposed construction zones.
- A letter from ENMAX confirming conflicts between construction and overhead lines.
- A letter from your construction contractor explaining the logistical challenges.
Stage three: reimbursement
Stage three: reimbursement
To receive reimbursement, applicants must submit the following documents to The City:
- Confirmation of work
- A letter from ENMAX confirming the overhead-to-underground power conversion is complete.
- Invoices
- A final invoice from ENMAX and, where applicable, other qualified contractors.
- Building permit submission
- Proof of a complete building permit submission.
To satisfy the disbursement requirements of the Housing Accelerator Fund, all development permit submissions must be received by Aug. 1, 2026 and all complete building permit submissions must be received, and ENMAX powerline burial construction must be completed by Aug. 31 2027.
Once all documents are received and verified, The City will issue a reimbursement to the applicant based on the terms of the funding agreement.