Category: Blog

Canada is entering the age of customer-owned power generation

By Phil McKay, Senior Director, Distributed Energy Resources and Grid Integration, Canadian Renewable Energy Association 

Welcome to the new age of customer-owned power generation! The promise of making your own electricity, at your own apartment, house or business, is within reach. On-site, or Behind-the-Meter (BTM) solar and energy storage, can power your appliances, heating, cooling, cars and anything else you can think of. This can provide emergency backup power and protect against energy cost fluctuations. Smart BMS (Building Management Systems) can provide usage data and controls to improve your lifestyle and your business profitability.

So who is holding the key to unlocking these benefits? Your electricity utility.

Right now, Canada’s utility professionals are protecting customers by keeping costs low and reliability high. While wrestling with a whole new world of energy needs: People need more electricity because they are electrifying things that never used to get plugged in; data centres are changing the game; industrial processes are shifting.

The dominant, central power-production model that has been used to push huge amounts of electricity along transmission and distribution lines has already been disrupted. Wind, solar and energy storage are scalable solutions, allowing power-generation projects to contribute energy and services to the grid in hundreds of locations distributed across Canada.

Now, electricity grids need more resilience in the face of a changing climate, and they must meet new demands from customers connecting fleets of electric vehicles and power-hungry data centers. People want cleaner power and a more equitable distribution of infrastructure to support their communities.

As a result, we’re seeing the next disruption. Canada is about to cross the milestone of 100,000 solar projects installed behind meters by customers like you and me.

Over the past three years as the Executive Director of CanREA’s Electricity Transition Hub, I have learned a lot about Canada’s electricity utilities and system operators. We recently concluded this three-year capacity building project, supported by NRCan’s SREPs funding.

I’ve had the chance to work with dozens of utilities and system operators, helping them make sense of the overwhelming volume of information on the clean-energy transition, and bridge the gap between global learnings and Canada’s specific regional needs.

Continuing with CanREA as Senior Director, Distributed Energy Resources and Grid Integration, I will expand our work with utilities, system operators, regulators, government agencies and other organizations, while also addressing the next big disrupter: behind-the-meter (BTM) distributed energy resources (DERs).

I will work with CanREA’s growing BTM membership of solar installers, suppliers and supporting organizations, to address the barriers to a full-scale transformation of neighbourhoods, cities, industrial parks and rural networks.

At this moment in Canada’s future energy story, the ability to produce and manage power on-site is not available to everyone. There are financial barriers to upgrade a legacy system, both at the utility level and within Canada’s existing building stock.

There are also connection barriers, with some utilities having prohibitive requirements, or processes based on legacy-protection schemes. Unlocking every electricity meter in the country demands a standardized connection approach and financial mechanisms that allow everyone to participate.

There has been a lot of progress in some areas of the country. In other places, customers just can’t get at the same opportunities. I think everyone should have the opportunity to build, buy and grow their clean-energy lifestyle or business in their own way, through strong policies, supportive regulations and standards that keep everyone safe and empowered.

Until Canada’s net-zero emissions economy is within reach, the knowledge-transfer from global learnings to Canadian contexts will not be complete. That’s why I’m excited to work on these two complimentary programs: our Utility GRID Integration Program focuses on finding answers to some of the utility sector’s toughest questions; our BTM Program focuses on hearing from the ‘boots on the ground’ (or on the roof).

Contact us for more information on either of these two exciting programs and to learn more about membership options that work for you.

As CanREA’s new Senior Director, Distributed Energy Resources and Grid Integration, I am really looking forward to leading these two programs and supporting the industry in the months and years ahead, as we bring in learnings from around the world and chart the course for Canada’s just, affordable, resilient and clean power system of the future.

Bring your Canadian community spirit to CanREA’s Operators Summit 2025

Canada is facing some tough headwinds at the moment, with our supply chains under stress, our economy under threat of tariffs, and the integrity of our country itself being questioned.  

Just like down at the local rink, the best way to overcome challenges is to dig deep in the corners, work together as a team, display our community spirit and, when needed, get our elbows up.

For wind, solar and energy-storage site operators, CanREA’s Operators Summit 2025 is the perfect opportunity to connect with your highly specialized community—and show a little Canadian pride along the way.

Engaging our communities

The Ops Summit is designed to enable operations professionals from across the country to assemble, exchange insights, share challenges and discuss solutions.

The theme of this year’s Ops Summit is “Engaging our communities.” It’s all about building relationships. And that’s why, at our Opening Plenary, you’ll hear firsthand from First Nations leaders, municipal workers and land agreement specialists: Community support is absolutely key for the renewable energy industry.

And because the Summit is returning to Toronto this year, our closing panel will focus on the Ontario-wide community. In “How operators will advance Ontario’s energy transition,” the IESO will explain the process of getting a PPA extension in this province, Alderville First Nation will discuss a project of a certain vintage, and CanREA’s Eric Muller will give a development perspective.

Learning opportunities

Over the two days of the Ops Summit, you’ll learn about the new bat regulations in Alberta and Ontario, hear from experts at some of Canada’s longest-running wind farms, get advice on the advantages of connecting with your local emergency services when fine-tuning your emergency response plan, and much more.

You’ll also enjoy an exclusive opportunity to engage directly with the Canadian insurance industry—reach out to CanREA’s membership team for an invitation to the CanREA Insurance Committee’s pre-show meeting!

Interactive workshops

This year, we expanded our successful National Operators’ Roundtables, designed to provide valuable opportunities to learn from one another through focused discussions, such as a solar-focused workshop on “Growth Opportunity: Vegetation Management.”

Another new feature is a technical transformer-focused workshop led by Kinectrics. The session, “More Than Meets the Eye? Troubleshooting Anomalous Gassing in Transformers,” will be of use to anyone who has had transformer headaches.

Last but not least, our friends at Electricity Human Resources Canada (EHRC) will lead an important workforce-development workshop, where they will officially launch their “Winds of Change: Renewables Workforce Outlook” report, exploring trends, challenges and opportunities over the next five years. EHRC will present the key findings of this report, then discuss what renewable operators can do to address workforce challenges.

Networking

Amidst all this learning and discussion, we’ve made sure to build plenty of downtime into the schedule, so you can check out innovative technologies and service providers exhibiting at the show, or interact with other operators, service providers and experts during the breaks and at the networking reception. Because we can’t build community without taking the time to get to know one another!

This year’s CanREA’s Operators Summit will be an arena where our operations community will do what Canadians have always done in the face of challenges: marshal our strength, diversity, innovation, resilience and commitment to succeed. I hope to see you there. Registration is open now: check out all the details on our website!

Acknowledgments

CanREA thanks all sponsors for their invaluable support of the 2025 Operators Summit, headlined by Nordex, our Registration Sponsor. There are still attractive sponsorship packages available. To learn more, see CanREA’s event sponsorship prospectus.

Why is “Operating in a Changing Climate” the theme for this year’s CanREA Operations Summit?

By Mathieu Cote, Director, Operators Program, CanREA 

The climate is changing. This might have been a controversial statement not too long ago. But after the year we had in 2023—historic heat waves, wildfires, hurricanes, ice-storms, droughts—there is no longer any doubt: This ain’t your granddaddy’s weather.  

For the renewable energy and energy storage industry, the changing climate brings continual challenges.  

No one knows this better than the boots on the ground—the skilled professionals who operate Canada’s wind, solar and storage assets. They have to deal with whatever Mother Nature throws at them as they operate, manage and maintain sites across Canada. 

When it comes to managing the effects of climate change, there is no master manual our industry can consult. They can, however, depend on each other—and distilling and sharing the collective experience of our operators is what the CanREA Operations Summit is all about.  

Predicting the unpredictable 

Renewables operators across the country are dealing with ever-more unpredictable conditions: wind regimes are changing, sites are subjected to wildfires (both the fires themselves and the smoke which can limit solar productivity) droughts, severe icing, floods, tornadoes and hurricanes.  

People on the ground must be ready for all this and whatever else is still to come. Luckily, Canadian operators are some of the most resilient and resourceful people I know. And, as the Director of CanREA’s Operators Program, I know quite a few.  

While the rest of the country has been arguing about climate policy, operators have focused on finding solutions—and they have important insights to share with the rest of us. 

Which is why I (with some strong hints from my Operations Network) decided to make “Operating in a Changing Climate” the theme for this year’s CanREA Operations Summit.  

Climate conditions today prepare us for the future 

For the first time, CanREA’s annual Operations Summit (April 10-11, 2024) will take place in Calgary.  

Operators will learn about the changes we’ve already seen, what these changes tell us about what’s to come, and how operators can better prepare themselves and their assets for the climate of the future.  

For example, there will be sessions on how wind power potential is changing around the country, as well as a panel dedicated to the health and safety risks of extreme weather events, which we’re seeing more and more. 

Wind, storage and storage operations professionals are on the front lines of climate change, and we’re going to need all the knowledge and expertise we can get. 

We are each other’s best teachers 

One way wind, solar and storage operators have been able to keep abreast of the latest climate challenges and figure out what works best is by learning from each other. 

In that spirit, this years’ Operations Summit will host both the National Solar Operators Round Table and the National Wind Operators Round Table. These two sessions will be built on the foundations laid by regional groups like the Ontario Wind Operators, the Comité d’Opérateurs Éoliens du Québec, as well as CanREA’s Atlantic Operators group and Western Operators Group.  

All of them have been exchanging information, technical best practices, tips and tricks for years. Exchanges like these make for a more informed operator, which inevitably makes the projects themselves safer, more resilient and more efficient. 

We’re levelling up this regional concept by bringing operators from coast to coast together to network, make connections, learn from one another, and share a wealth of knowledge. 

Getting the job done 

Of course, none of these challenges will be met if we don’t have qualified, trained personnel, in sufficient numbers, to get the job done. To realize the full growth opportunity for Canada’s renewables, we need to invest in growing a skilled workforce.  

This is why we will provide an update on CanREA’s National Workforce Strategy in Action at a plenary session at 4 p.m. on April 10. 

Navigating the snow 

Snow has been an issue in Canada longer than there has been a Canada. And it always will be. As the climate changes, there are changes to how snow needs to be dealt with (or not!). 

The matter of snow will be discussed at the Operations Summit in a panel on the various ways solar operators can deal with snow. Not to mention ice. And extreme heat. And severe weather of all kinds.  

Whatever the weather, it will be a great show in Calgary this year. See you there! 

Be sure to visit the event website for details. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to connect with Canada’s leading renewable energy and energy storage operators. Register today!  

You can view the full program and register here.

Why prioritizing employee mental health is a win-win for renewable-energy companies, boosting worker safety, efficiency, recruitment and retention.

How are you? Good?

No, how are you REALLY?

And if the answer is: “Awful, but thanks for asking”? That might, in fact, be a good thing, since it’s a recognition of the importance of mental health in the workplace.

As CanREA’s Operations Program Director, and after a decade working in renewable energy operations, I have seen first-hand how mental health can affect our professional lives. So, outside of the office, I do my best to keep a healthy headspace by exercising, spending time in nature, and playing Minecraft with my son. And at the office, I promote mental health awareness programs and initiatives, such as CanREA’s current Cross-Canada challenge, that enable our team to pay more attention to their own well-being at work.

Mental health awareness is not just relevant to CanREA—it is also profoundly important to the renewable energy sector as a whole. Addressing workplace mental health can help improve worker health and safety, enhance efficiency, attract new workers, and increase employee-retention rates for renewable energy companies across Canada.

Ideally, these improvements could help ease some of the pressure on our industry’s workforce, which needs to grow intensely to meet the unprecedented expansion of wind, solar and energy storage needed to achieve Canada’s net-zero goals, as outlined in CanREA’s 2050 Vision.

Improving health and safety

Everyone in our industry understands how physically and mentally demanding on-site roles can be. Wind and solar technicians’ workplaces are remote and isolated by nature, and workers are routinely exposed to the elements in all kinds of weather conditions.

To avoid injury to themselves and others, employees must be at the top of their game – and rely on their team to do the same. But in an “office” where there is more interaction with wildlife than with other humans, workers have limited teammates who can step in as backups, or rescue them if there is a physical or mental health issue.

No wonder a University of Alberta study found that remote energy-sector staff experience more work-related stress than the wider population, and higher incidents of diagnosed long-term health conditions.

But there is something we can do. Renewable energy sector employers can increase employee access to mental health supports, such as the “Not Myself Today” program developed by the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), which help support psychological safety at work.

Enhancing efficiency

Our sector relies on efficient, productive workers to keep the lights on. But when an individual is struggling with their mental health, it can have a direct impact on attendance and job performance.

For example, a study in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine found depression can hinder a worker’s ability to complete physical job tasks 20% of the time, and can reduce cognitive performance 35% of the time.

Overall, the Mental Health Commission of Canada estimates the economic burden of mental illness in Canada is $51 billion annually, with $6.3 billion resulting from lost productivity.

However, those who receive support and treatment are much more likely to see their productivity bounce back. In fact, workers are 13% more productive when happy, research from the University of Oxford suggests.

And employers see the difference too, with 88% of human resources professionals agreeing that mental health resources can increase employee productivity.

Ultimately, a more efficient workforce means that downtimes are shorter, leading to higher energy production, greater output and increased revenue.

Reducing turnover

At CanREA’s Operations Summit 2023, many industry leaders spoke to the workforce recruitment and retention challenges our sector faces at a pivotal time, when our industry needs to attract more workers than ever before.

To attract top talent and retain them for the long haul, companies must ensure employees have the support they need, including mental health supports.

And there is a very strong business case for this. A survey by workplace mental health non-profit Mind Share Partners found that 20% of U.S. respondents reported voluntarily leaving a previous job for mental health reasons. That number rose to 50% for millennials and 75% for Gen Z employees – the exact demographics our industry is competing to attract and retain.

Not only is there a human cost, but organizations may also take a financial hit of up to 1.5 to 2.5 times the departing employee’s annual salary following their departure, according to a study in the journal Social Indicators Research.

That’s exactly why CanREA launched its National Workforce Strategy last month. This unique resource aims to bolster workforce development efforts and growth of Canada’s renewable energy industry as we lead the road to net-zero.

The renewable energy workforce of the future

If we are to make Canada’s renewables sector the best place to work—today and tomorrow—we must prioritize employee mental health. It’s a win-win for workers and employers, from a health & safety, efficiency, recruitment, and retention perspective. These efforts will help our industry build the workforce of the future!

So, how are you really? And how can we help?

In 2023, CanREA is running a new monthly blog series. Don’t miss a post: Subscribe to our “Power Together” newsletter!

As Budget 2023 rolls out new ITCs for renewable energy, CanREA members move into position for new business opportunities.

I love the burst of energy I get from cycling outside—and this spring, I am enjoying it even more. Every time I pedal along the Ottawa River bike path, I am reminded that one of the most significant federal policies our industry has ever seen was introduced in Parliament recently—and that Canada’s wind, solar and energy-storage industries are about to pick up speed.

As CanREA’s VP of Business Development, I was thrilled with the announcement of the federal ITCs (Investment Tax Credits) and other support measures contained in Budget 2023. It is my job to provide business and organizational leadership to the association, leveraging my 20 years of experience in renewables and my expertise in the economic benefits of renewable energy. And from this business perspective, it is clear to me that this industry is shifting into high gear in Canada.

Not only were CanREA’s policy recommendations strongly reflected in these measures, as noted in CanREA’s statement, but our business goals as well.

The ITCs presented in Budget 2023 will provide much-needed momentum for Canada’s wind, solar and energy storage industries. We are now set to rapidly increase the pace of development—and in my opinion, CanREA members are ideally positioned to capitalize on these new business opportunities.

ITCs will propel renewables forward

The ITC I am watching most closely is the 30% Clean Technology Investment Tax Credit, a refundable 30% tax credit on the capital cost of investments made by taxable entities in wind, solar PV and energy-storage technologies. I am also focused on the up-to-40% Clean Hydrogen Investment Tax Credit because, as my colleague Brandy Giannetta wrote in a recent blog, green hydrogen will be a massive enabler for Canada’s wind and solar energy production.

There are other interesting elements in the Budget as well, such as:

• A 15% Clean Electricity Investment Tax Credit (for non-taxable entities, such as Indigenous communities)
• A 30% Clean Manufacturing Investment Tax Credit
• Support for net-zero transmission projects
• $20 billion for clean electricity investments through the Canadian Infrastructure Bank
• Recapitalization of the Smart Renewables and Electrification Pathways (SREPs)
• Enhanced commitment to carbon-price stability.

It is a strong leadership move by the Federal Government to leverage policy, programs and the tax system to accelerate decarbonization while supporting a strong economy. These changes will bring long-term investment stability and confidence for solar, wind, energy storage and green hydrogen, helping to accelerate the deployment of these technologies throughout the country for decades.

With these new measures in place, the renewables/storage sector is ready to gear up for a massive build-out as we head down this pathway to net-zero.

Join the lead pack

It’s clearly an exciting time for renewable energy and energy storage, and developers aren’t the only ones who will benefit—others will join the lead pack as well. With many new projects emerging, all of the vendors and suppliers involved in these projects—service providers, manufacturers, banks, insurance providers, law firms and human resources companies—can capitalize on these emerging opportunities.

Growth in renewables and energy storage will also benefit energy consumers, including industrial,commercial, institutional, small business and individual consumers. A growing market will help make it more economical for them to go green, and to find vendors.

On this score, CanREA and its 330+ members are a great source of expertise to help consumers on their ride to sustainability, and CanREA’s industry directory makes it easy to contact relevant members.

Come ride with CanREA!

The Canadian marketplace, as well as its business landscapes, will evolve rapidly. While the bold, new path ahead of us will be exhilarating, the terrain of renewable energy market and policy changes can be tough to navigate without a road map, adequate gear and support along the way.

CanREA’s policy experts work every day to advocate for regulatory and market changes that benefit our industry, including the new federal ITCs. My policy colleagues lead regional and national member groups to provide the support needed to keep members rolling smoothly in markets across Canada.

Meanwhile, CanREA’s network of member companies represent Canada’s most significant wind, solar and storage developers, manufacturers, asset owners, installers and service providers. We connect these industry-leading players through our events and engagement forums, from leading national conferences to regional networking and business development events, aiming to foster strong relationships within the industry.

Now, more than ever, joining CanREA is a good business decision, one that will allow your company to take advantage of the new opportunities about to emerge in Canada’s renewable-energy and energy storage industries, and to stay up to date on the latest market intelligence, policy news and exclusive, members-only information from CanREA, as we work to grow the industries from coast to coast.

It has already been a remarkable spring for renewables, and I can’t wait to work with our current members and welcome new members as we pick up speed on the path to net-zero.

Contact our membership team today to find out more about CanREA membership options.

Join me in Toronto from April 4-5 for Canada’s largest wind, solar and energy storage operations event!

I am SO. EXCITED. for my first time at the helm of the CanREA Operations Summit! It is going to be a great show this year, covering some of the most pressing issues facing renewable energy operators working right across the country. It’s also a great opportunity to connect with your peers in the industry.

Here’s a taste of what you can expect, and you can view the full program here.

Calling all efficiency-onados!

Operators are always being asked to do more with less, so efficiency is always top of mind. Operations is all about finding innovative solutions to keep essential renewable energy technologies well-maintained and running smoothly.

This theme of efficiency will run through each panel and presentation over both days of the CanREA Operations Summit 2023. Here are three examples:

• Our “Beyond the PPA” panel (April 4, 10:45 a.m. ET) will tackle how to efficiently extend the lifetime of project investments.

• Our “Building tomorrow’s leaders today” session (April 4, 3:15 p.m.) will cover increasing staff efficiency through training.

• In our “Predictive maintenance: Are we there yet?” plenary session (April 5, 9 a.m.), leading renewable energy operations experts will discuss predictive maintenance – a.k.a. the “holy grail” of maintenance efficiency.

The streamlined schedule offers tons of value and interest for all the efficiency-onados out there, including myself.

CanREA’s National Workforce Strategy

CanREA’s 2050 Vision calls for a ten-fold expansion of wind and solar, and if we want to get there, our workforce must also expand exponentially. In fact, the illustrative scenario outlined in our Vision would create more than 28,000 direct and indirect person-years of employment annually!

In response to this expected growth, and to respond to the pressures that our members are already facing, the CanREA Operations Summit 2023 will feature a “Workforce Development” track, running concurrently with the “Technical” track. In these sessions, expert speakers will explore how employers can improve recruitment, internal development & training, and employee retention as the industry prepares to fill more and more job positions.

I’m also delighted to highlight that CanREA’s Environment, Health & Safety (EHS) and Workforce Development Coordinator, Mary MacLean, will be onsite to launch CanREA’s National Workforce Strategy in a plenary session on April 4 at 4:15 p.m.

Mary and I, along with the whole CanREA team, are proud to play a part in building a skilled and thriving renewable energy workforce of the future.

Data: the final frontier

Like many operations professionals, I love digging into the data and unearthing the gems of information and insight that it can provide. And so, at this year’s Operations Summit, we will dive into game-changing data-analysis tools, techniques and best-practices, from condition-monitoring systems to artificial intelligence (with a few Star Trek jokes along the way) during the “Your analysis, Mr. Data?” session (April 4, 3:15 ET).

Panelists will discuss industry insights that will allow the renewables market to boldly go where no-one has gone before, while exploring the methods and techniques that can help operators make the best use of their data resources and build better metrics. It is going to be an insightful and entertaining panel discussion on a very hot topic.

Overall, we have put together a stellar program. As Canada’s largest wind, solar and energy storage operations event, the CanREA Operations Summit 2023 will be packed with content you won’t get anywhere else.

Be sure to visit the event website to view all the details.

Register today so you don’t miss out on this opportunity to connect with our country’s leading renewable energy operations professionals.

I can’t wait to see you there!

What Albertans need to know about our thriving renewables market

Alberta accounted for the lion’s share—75%—of Canada’s utility-scale wind and solar capacity growth in 2022. And even further expansion is expected in 2023. Alberta’s recent development is beyond anyone’s expectations.

As CanREA’s Senior Director of Policy and Government Affairs, Director for Alberta, and a proud Albertan, I am thrilled to see this growth.

But make no mistake, this isn’t “the wild west” of renewable energy. Alberta is enjoying well-regulated growth, rooted in strong policies and robust community engagement practices.

Here’s what Albertans need to know about the well-regulated West:

1. There are rules.

The first thing we need to know is that Alberta is a well-regulated jurisdiction, governed by a strong framework of renewable energy policies at the provincial level.

I can attest to this because, over the last decade, I have represented CanREA and its members in consultations with Alberta Environment and Protected Areas (and its predecessors) to establish essential directives that are now used to guide the responsible development of renewable energy project sites. For example:

• The “Wildlife Directive for Alberta Wind Energy Projects” (2018) and the “Wildlife Directive for Alberta Solar Energy Projects” (2017) lead developers through planning, construction and operation, and offer best practices to maintain minimal impact on wildlife populations.

• The “Conservation and Reclamation Directive for Renewable Energy Operations” (2018) outlines an operator’s obligation to reclaim specified land to equivalent capability, with guidance on land-use planning, footprint tracking, site assessments, reclamation criteria, and reclamation certificate applications.

I have also seen the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC), which regulates the sector, modernize a host of rules, from the application process covered in Rule 007, to sound control requirements in Rule 012, to post-approval monitoring requirements in Rule 033. Albertans need to know that Rule 007 provides key landowner protections in terms of project decommissioning and land reclamation. Not only does it empower the AUC to implement project conditions based on the Conservation and Reclamation plan, but it requires applicants to provide details on how they intend to pay for end-of life work.

2. Renewables never dry up.

The second thing Albertans need to know is what happens to a renewable-energy project at the end of its lifespan.

Albertans are concerned at the moment about “orphan oil wells” on our landscapes and in our communities, with good reason, but it is important to understand that renewable energy project planning presents an entirely different scenario.

Alberta’s high-quality wind and solar resources will never “dry up.” A wind or solar site can continue to generate power as long as the wind blows and the sun shines.

When the parts used in a wind turbine or solar panel reach the end of their lifespan—about 25 years—they can be swapped out, returning the site to operation. Other physical infrastructure, such as transmission lines and substations, can remain in place for the long haul.

When a site already has 20-30 years of operations data, and good, solid relationships with landowners and communities, and transmission lines already in place, it just makes sense to repower it rather than develop a new one.

According to the Farmers’ Advocate Office, “a renewable energy lease gains value over time. Whereas an oil or gas well will become depleted over time, a wind or solar site may be considered ‘proven’ as it ages. Therefore, even an older site could remain attractive to investors.”

In this way, well-maintained renewable energy projects can be truly renewable, remaining in operation and profitable in perpetuity.

Should these projects power down after their 25- to 30-year operational life, Alberta’s regulations ensure that decommissioning and reclamation occurs responsibly.

3. Landowners hold the reins.

The third thing Albertans need to know is that, with renewables, landowners hold the reins. Unlike sub-surface energy resources, wind and solar energy are subject to surface rights, which are described here.

• One highlight: Landowners have the right to refuse entry to their land for wind and solar projects, so they decide if, where, and how, a renewables project gets installed.

• Another: The Surface Rights Act does not extend to the negotiation of renewable energy leases, so renewable energy projects can only be established with a private civil contract. This allows landowners and developers to pen the best possible deal for each party.

In order to move forward on projects, it is in developers’ best interest to work in harmony with individuals and communities in the jurisdictions where they intend to operate. Simply put: Developers must address owners’ concerns, or they will not get land access, much less work out an agreement.

I have seen this firsthand, with the growth of wind and solar opportunities in Vulcan County, just over an hour southeast of my home in Calgary. CanREA members are at the forefront of this development. It has spurred an influx of well-paid, sustainable jobs for workers in the surrounding community, while offering landowners new ways to generate income, and will continue to provide the community with benefits for decades to come.

I would like to see the same kind of thing happening across Alberta, where CanREA member companies are working hard to establish good, productive partnerships with communities and landowners.

My team and I will continue to engage with key government officials to optimize the strong rules and regulations, policies and community engagement practices already in place, to keep growing the renewable energy sector in a well-regulated way that works for all Albertans.

In 2023, CanREA is running a new monthly blog series. Don’t miss a post: Subscribe to our “Power Together” newsletter!

Green hydrogen is a massive enabler of wind and solar in Canada

One of the most exciting things about working in the renewable energy sector is witnessing the dawn of innovative, non-emitting new technologies that promise to power Canada’s net-zero future. In 2023, I am particularly excited about green hydrogen and the prospects for onshore wind and solar.

Green hydrogen is a completely clean, non-emitting fuel source from start to finish. Unlike hydrogen made from emitting energy sources, like oil and gas, green hydrogen is produced using wind and solar energy.

When Canada’s budding green hydrogen industry starts to bloom, it will require huge amounts of wind and solar supply. In this way, it will be a massive enabler for Canada’s wind and solar energy suppliers.

Canada needs green hydrogen to power the path to net-zero

As a clean and scalable solution, green hydrogen is essential to Canada’s decarbonization goals.

To get to net-zero, we need to decarbonize sectors that produce the most significant amounts of GHG emissions, such as large industrial processes, freight transportation, and manufacturing.

According to Environment and Climate Change Canada, manufacturing accounts for a third of all facility-reported emissions in the country. It takes a lot of energy to power these processes and it is heavy on carbon emissions as a result.

We know that grid-level electricity will not be enough, on its own, to power these sectors in the net-zero economy. But green hydrogen can be produced at a scale large enough to tackle even the most colossal decarbonization efforts.

In Powering Canada’s Journey to Net-Zero: CanREA’s 2050 Vision, we point out that Canada is not yet on track to meet its commitment to decarbonize by 2050, and we advocate for governments to develop hydrogen strategies that prioritize green hydrogen.

We know that green hydrogen should play a key role in decarbonizing our economy, because it will provide the cleanest form of energy and at a scale that is required to ensure that Canada reaches net-zero and becomes well positioned to compete in future markets.  

It’s clear that expanding green hydrogen production is the big push we need to meet our clean energy goals in Canada and abroad and CanREA is prioritizing its advocacy for policies and incentives that promote the adoption of green hydrogen.

Green hydrogen will unlock GWs of opportunities for wind and solar

CanREA’s 2050 Vision calls for 5 GW of wind and solar to be built annually until 2050 in order to reach Canada’s net-zero targets, knowing that wind and solar are the cleanest, lowest-cost sources of new electricity available today, Canada has significant, untapped onshore wind and solar potential, and our industry is up for the challenge.

And yet, in 2022, Canada installed only 1.8 GW of new wind and solar and the year before, less than 1 GW.

The scale and size of the need for wind and solar energy is unprecedented. Our industries are ready to deliver the gigawatts required to support the energy transition and to power the production of green hydrogen. With the massive, untapped potential of Canada’s wind and solar resources, CanREA will continue to advocate for the accelerated deployment of these technologies.

Green hydrogen will help that acceleration.

Wind and solar are essential to green hydrogen production. In order to scale up green hydrogen we will need to scale up wind and solar.

Green hydrogen will inevitably lead to a renewable energy boom in this country. We are talking gigawatts of new opportunities for our industry, creating thousands of jobs in the process – all while kickstarting a new hydrogen economy powered by wind and solar energy.  

Green hydrogen export opportunities

Canada’s many clean energy advantages offer a strong foundation for green hydrogen growth. Already, the federal government and some provinces have developed hydrogen strategies.

CanREA has aggressively lobbied for additional financial incentives, such as the investment tax credit announced in the 2022 Fall Economic Statement, to accelerate the deployment of wind and solar and to incent investment in green hydrogen production. 

There’s no question, Canada’s emerging green hydrogen economy will mean new economic opportunities—at home and abroad. Clean electricity alone will not be enough to power the full transition to a decarbonized economy. Here at home, the use of green hydrogen to power our hard-to-abate industries and large freight transport networks means we can also avoid costly transmission investments for electricity generation that is better served to power the production of green hydrogen directly.

As we expand our capacity to meet our own net-zero energy transition goals with green hydrogen, we will also be in a strong position to support the goals of other nations, through exports.

Last summer, Canada and Germany signed a hydrogen trade deal, highlighting the lucrative export opportunity that awaits our industry as we expand green hydrogen production.

We must build more stable, predictable investment opportunities like these to optimize the huge, untapped potential of Canada’s onshore wind and solar resources today. Our coastal geography and ports provide the advantage for us to build a global export economy for green hydrogen.

As consumer preferences and governmental policies continue to shift toward greener alternatives, Canada is poised to drive sustainable innovation, such as green hydrogen derived from wind and solar, and reap long-term economic benefits.

The green light

The way I see it, the benefits of scaling up green hydrogen production in Canada are threefold: Keeping Canada on track to meet decarbonization goals, expanding domestic market opportunities and establishing a leading export economy.   Green hydrogen is clearly a massive enabler for wind and solar, allowing us to reach net-zero and unlock new long-term economic benefits in the process.

In 2023, I am excited to continue leading CanREA’s push for comprehensive green hydrogen policies and incentives in key jurisdictions across the country. As the leader of CanREA’s Policy Team, I will remain unapologetic about promoting the benefits that Canada’s onshore wind and solar potential can provide now to unlock Canada’s emerging green hydrogen economy, and vice versa.

It’s time to give green hydrogen the green light in Canada!

In 2023, CanREA is running a new monthly blog series. Don’t miss a post: Subscribe to our “Power Together” newsletter!

CanREA’s new President and CEO reflects on 2022 and charts a course for 2023.

The start of this new year finds me two months into my role leading CanREA. My tenure is recent enough that I still see the organization through fresh eyes, but enough time has passed that I can also look back at CanREA’s recent successes. In this blog post, I want to celebrate some of the top highlights from 2022 and share a sneak preview of what CanREA will tackle in 2023, and beyond.  

First off, I would like to thank the industry for the warm welcome I received this fall. Whether at CanREA’s 2022 Electricity Transformation Canada conference in Toronto, at our November networking events in cities across the country, in private meetings, or by correspondence, your positive energy (pun intended!) has been most appreciated.  

Secondly, I cannot say enough about the determination, work ethic and commitment of the CanREA team. It has been a very busy few months and I am constantly impressed with how the team manages critical priorities, supports each other and responds to the needs of members. 

I particularly want to congratulate our policy team, who worked tirelessly to deliver on key priorities this fall.  

Key accomplishments in Fall 2022 

For instance, CanREA was very pleased to see our recommendations included in the Fall Economic Statement, announced on November 3, 2022. Of note, the Federal Government stated its commitment to refundable investment tax credits for wind, solar and energy-storage technologies, as well as green hydrogen investments that will bolster the competitiveness of Canada’s renewable-energy industry. Our policy team and Federal Caucus were very clear that there is a need for a Canadian response to the Inflation Reduction Act passed in the United States, and with this new Federal commitment, we are set up for success. 

I also want to stress the launch of the CanREA Electricity Transition Hub, supported by nearly $1.6 million in funding from Natural Resources Canada, which NRCan announced at the Electricity Transformation Canada conference on October 28. The Hub is a knowledge-transfer tool, helping electricity utilities and system operators accelerate their decarbonization efforts. It will equip participants to integrate the larger amounts of wind energy, solar energy and energy storage needed to support electrification and Canada’s net-zero GHG-emission targets.  

Outlook for 2023 

In this new year, I am looking forward to tackling several key policy priorities at CanREA. Our new year’s outlook includes – but is not limited to – the following projects: 

• In both Ontario and Saskatchewan, we are advocating for transparent and stable procurement schedules for renewables and energy storage. Our industries can deliver affordable electricity to ratepayers—and if they know what is required, they can manage their supply chains and better plan for upcoming project proposals. 
• In several jurisdictions across the country, we are actively looking at Corporate Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs). Alberta has been the poster child for Corporate PPA success to date, but other provinces can enable Corporate PPAs as well. Customers should have the ability to buy clean, renewable electricity in the jurisdiction in which they operate. 
• We are also looking at workforce development in the renewable and energy storage industries, with more to come on this important project in 2023. 
• We will keep working with our members and partners to support an energy storage tariff that works in Alberta. As we work towards a net-zero electricity grid in Alberta, we need to be open for business regarding all forms of energy storage. 
• In the longer term, CanREA will look at supporting green hydrogen and the decarbonization pathways that it enables. 
  

As I kick off the new year at CanREA, one thing is very clear to me: this work matters. The work we all do is vital to decarbonizing electricity and several other industries, which is key to achieving Canada’s net-zero objectives. 

It is a privilege to work in this sector at this transformative time. Everyone on the CanREA team knows this as well. I want to thank you all for the support I, and CanREA, have received to date, and thank you in advance for the support we will continue to need going forward as we work on these critical projects together. 

Happy new year!

In 2023, CanREA is running a new monthly blog series. Don’t miss a post: Subscribe to our “Power Together” newsletter!