Save the date – Registration is opening September 23, 2025
CanREA’s Operators Summit 2026 returns for its sixth annual edition at the Delta Hotel in downtown Toronto.
As Canada’s largest conference and exhibition dedicated to the operations and maintenance of renewable energy and energy storage, it will bring together more than 250 professionals for two days of knowledge sharing, innovation and networking.
What to expect:
More than 250 industry professionals from across the renewable energy landscape
Discover the latest products, technologies and services from leading exhibitors
Targeted networking with key decision-makers and innovators in wind, solar and energy storage
Workforce development sessions addressing the need for skilled professionals in the sector
The theme—“Coming of Age”—highlights how the Canadian renewable energy and energy storage industry has matured, with assets at every stage of operation and a proven track record as a low-cost, reliable partner for the Canadian economy.
The 2026 Ops Summit will explore a variety of topics on lifecycle management for aging infrastructure, through the lens of the skilled Operators who manage, service and maintain wind, solar and storage assets.
Get noticed at CanREA’s Operators Summit 2026!
Elevate your brand by becoming a sponsor or exhibitor at this influential event. Showcase your products and services to a targeted audience of industry leaders, decision-makers and innovators.
As a sponsor, you’ll demonstrate your company’s commitment to the renewable energy sector’s growth.
Sponsorship benefits include:
Prominent branding before, during and after the event
Exclusive access to keynote speakers, panel discussions and industry leaders
Networking opportunities with top professionals and decision-makers in the renewable energy sector
As an exhibitor, you’ll have the unique opportunity to highlight your solutions and position your brand as an industry leader.
Exhibitor benefits include:
A dedicated exhibition space to showcase your company’s offerings
Access to an audience of highly engaged professionals eager to discover new solutions
Opportunities to engage with potential clients, partners and collaborators
“The Operators Summit was exceptionally well-organized, and I gained a lot of valuable insights from the experience. As an exhibitor, I appreciated the seamless coordination and the opportunities to connect with such an engaged audience.”
This is your chance to gain exclusive insights from industry leaders and deepen your expertise in wind, solar and energy storage technologies. The event offers:
High-level technical sessions on wind, solar and emerging energy storage technologies
Health & safety sessions focused on safe and sustainable energy best practices
Workforce development and operational excellence workshops
Specialized networking events designed to connect you with the right people for your projects
Practical insights into community engagement, regulatory challenges and project financing
Save the date – Registration is opening September 23, 2025
Renewable energy insurance claims: A deep dive into coverage, risk and lessons learned
Webinar presented by HUB International November 12, 2025, 1 to 2 p.m. ET
As Canada’s renewable energy sector expands, so too does the complexity of managing risk. From construction to operations, wind, solar and battery energy storage projects face exposures that can lead to significant insurance claims.
CanREA is pleased to host an important insurance webinar for our members, presented by HUB International.
Join Shawn Burnett (Executive General Adjuster, McLarens), Lisa Asbreuk (Business and Energy Law Partner, Cunningham Swan LLP) and Eric Howie (Vice President, HUB International) for a practical discussion on the evolving claims landscape in renewable energy.
Drawing on real-world case studies, the panel will explore common causes of loss, the role of policy wording and contract language, and how claims are resolved—both successfully and unsuccessfully. You will gain insights into what went wrong, how disputes were shaped and what could have been done differently.
Whether you’re a project developer, operator, insurer or broker, this webinar will provide actionable strategies to strengthen your claims preparedness, improve post-loss response and mitigate long-term risk across your renewable energy assets.
Key takeaways:
Review real-world examples of both paid and denied claims to understand root causes and lessons learned.
Learn how policy wording and contract language can influence coverage and outcomes.
Gain practical strategies to mitigate risk, improve claims preparedness and streamline post-loss resolution.
Eric Howie Vice President, Complex Risk HUB International
Eric Howie is Vice President of HUB International’s Complex Risk Division in Vancouver, BC. With 15 years of experience in insurance, engineering and risk mitigation, he helps clients in the renewable energy and mining sectors optimize insurance programs and manage risk. Previously, he was a Risk Consultant Engineer at FM Global and a Structural Engineer at Klohn Crippen Berger, specializing in hydroelectric infrastructure, dams and bridges. His expertise includes insurance program development, risk assessment and risk mitigation.
Shawn Burnett Executive General Adjuster McLarens
Shawn Burnett is an Executive General Adjuster at McLarens with more than 25 years of experience in commercial and industrial risk. He began his career with Adjusters Canada (later Crawford & Company) and co-owned an emergency services and construction company, gaining knowledge of construction law and building codes. In 2010, he co-founded MGB Claims Consultants, a specialized adjusting firm. Shawn’s expertise includes property, energy, construction, liability and power generation risk management.
Lisa Asbreuk Business & Energy Law Partner Cunningham Swan LLP
Lisa is a business and energy law Partner at Cunningham Swan LLP and a member of the Board of Directors for the Canadian Renewable Energy Association (CanREA). Lisa provides advice to clients on corporate commercial transactions and Ontario and Alberta energy sector matters. Lisa studied at the University of Ottawa before pursuing her L.L.B and Certificate in Energy and Environmental Law from Dalhousie University.
CanREA Connects—Atlantic Canada
December 1, 2025, 5 to 7 p.m. Stewart McKelvey 1741 Lower Water Street, Suite 600, Halifax, Nova Scotia (B3J 0J2)
The CanREA Connects—Atlantic Canada fall networking reception offers a valuable opportunity to connect with professionals shaping the region’s renewable energy future.
As Atlantic Canada advances its clean electricity transition, this event provides the perfect setting to engage with industry leaders, exchange insights and explore opportunities in wind, solar and energy storage. Join us in Halifax to build meaningful connections with those dedicated to driving clean energy and energy storage growth across the region.
Position your brand as a networking sponsor at CanREA Connects and engage with top industry leaders driving wind, solar and energy storage innovations across Canada.
December 4, 2025, from 5 to 7 p.m. Deloitte 410 West Georgia Street, 23rd Floor, Vancouver BC (V6B 1Z3)
The CanREA Connects—British Columbia fall networking reception in Vancouver is your chance to connect with the key players in British Columbia’s renewable energy sector.
As the province advances its clean energy transition, this event is the perfect place to engage with industry leaders, exchange insights and explore solutions in wind, solar and energy storage. It’s an ideal setting for networking with those dedicated to expanding clean energy in B.C. while discussing the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
Position your brand as a networking sponsor at CanREA Connects and engage with top industry leaders driving wind, solar and energy storage innovations across Canada.
November 13, 2025, from 5 to 7 p.m. National Bank Place 800 Saint-Jacques street, 3rd floor, Montreal, QC (H3C 1A3)
The CanREA Connects—Quebec fall networking reception in Montreal is your chance to connect with the key players in Quebec’s renewable energy scene.
As Quebec navigates its energy transition, this event is the perfect place to engage with industry leaders, exchange insights and explore solutions in wind, solar and energy storage. It’s an ideal setting for networking with those dedicated to advancing clean energy while discussing the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
Position your brand as a networking sponsor at CanREA Connects and engage with top industry leaders driving wind, solar and energy storage innovations across Canada.
November 6, 2025, from 5 to 7 p.m. Hyatt Regency Calgary 700 Centre Street SE, Calgary, Alberta (T2G 5P6)
The CanREA Connects—Alberta fall networking reception offers a prime opportunity to connect with professionals driving Alberta’s renewable energy future.
As the province navigates its energy transition, this event is the perfect place to engage with industry leaders, exchange insights and explore solutions in wind, solar and energy storage. It’s an ideal setting for networking with those dedicated to advancing clean energy in Alberta while discussing the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
Position your brand as a networking sponsor at CanREA Connects and engage with top industry leaders driving wind, solar and energy storage innovations across Canada.
Launch—Canada’s Renewable Energy Market Outlook 2025: Wind. Solar. Storage.
Webinar presented by CanREA and Dunsky Energy + Climate Advisors September 16, 2025, 1-2 p.m. ET
Canadian Renewable Energy Association and Dunsky Energy + Climate Advisors presented a free, one-hour webinar previewing the new, now available, report,Canada’s Renewable Energy Market Outlook 2025: Wind. Solar. Storage. This report provides essential, Canada-specific intelligence on wind, solar and energy storage, covering the latest deployment and policy updates, cost forecasts (CAPEX, OPEX, LCOE and PPA pricing), projected market growth, economic and environmental impacts, and national as well as regional insights across BC, Alberta, Ontario, Québec and Atlantic Canada. With electricity demand rising and policy frameworks evolving, this analysis is a critical resource for industry, investors, utilities and policymakers.
Leonard Kula Vice President of Policy—Eastern Canada and Utility Affairs, CanREA
As CanREA’s Vice President of Policy—Eastern Canada and Utility Affairs, Leonard Kula leads CanREA’s policy development and government relations team in Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic Canada, as well as oversees the Operators Program, the Behind-the-Meter (BTM) Program and CanREA’s Utility GRID Program. Leonard was previously the Chief Operating Officer at Ontario’s Independent Electricity System Operator where he was responsible for real-time market and system operations, power system engineering functions, generation resource procurement, transmission and resource planning, and market development. Leonard holds an MBA (York University), as well as a MASc (University of Waterloo) and a BSc (University of Calgary) in Mechanical Engineering. He is based near Toronto.
Ahmed Hanafy Partner, Dunsky Energy + ClimateAdvisors
Ahmed Hanafy is a Partner at Dunsky where he supports utilities, power producers, governments and other actors across North America with their efforts to accelerate and navigate the energy transition. Combining deep technical knowledge with strategic foresight, Ahmed has guided numerous clients through the critical intersections of technical, policy, regulatory and strategic issues within the evolving electricity sector. Drawing on expertise in renewable energy, energy storage, Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) and other emerging technologies, his work informs and shapes clients’ corporate strategy, system planning, project development and policy/regulatory initiatives. In addition to leading and contributing hundreds of mandates at Dunsky, his expertise is built on prior experiences working on emerging utility business models, renewable energy policy, energy markets and other related issues. Ahmed holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering and an MBA from McGill University (Canada) as well as a master’s degree in energy science from ETH Zurich (Switzerland).
CanREA Golf Tournament—Alberta
July 16, 2025 Blue Devil Golf Course Calgary, AB
CanREA hosted another successful installment of its Golf Tournament Series on July 16, 2025, at the Blue Devil Golf Course in Alberta. This event highlighted CanREA’s efforts to foster collaboration and networking within Alberta’s renewable energy sector.
Nearly 140 industry leaders, professionals and enthusiasts from across Alberta’s renewable energy and energy storage landscape, and beyond, converged on the course for a day filled with camaraderie (and a little competition).
Representatives from CanREA member companies, as well as key stakeholders in the renewable energy industry, seized the opportunity to strengthen existing relationships and forge new partnerships amidst the greenery of the golf course.
A special word of appreciation to our Sponsors—Goldwind, NES Fircroft, Panedell, Firefly, PCL, MLT Aikins, Spark Power, Recon Metal, Prairie Sky.
Congrats to all of our day’s award-winning individuals and teams for their outstanding performances and memorable moments on the course.
CanREA wishes to thank all our sponsors, participants and everyone who contributed to making this event a success.
Electricity Transformation Canada 2025
October 6-8, 2025 Toronto, Ontario
Join us at Electricity Transformation Canada 2025, Canada’s premier clean-energy conference and exhibition. Learn from industry experts, network with your peers, discover innovative technologies and position your business for success at ETC 2025!
As the flagship event powered by the Canadian Renewable Energy Association (CanREA), in collaboration with partners RE+ Events and the Italian German Exhibition Group, ETC is poised to inspire dialogue, inspire innovation and drive growth within Canada’s clean energy industry.
Delve into a rich program featuring captivating keynotes, engaging workshops and dynamic discussions, led by industry luminaries and trailblazers. ETC delivers invaluable insights into the latest advancements across the landscape, charting the course for your business’s success in a rapidly evolving market.
The second annual Clean Power Finance Canada–CanREA Summit, held in downtown Toronto in June 2025, brought together more than 200 clean power professionals, investors and policymakers for a full day of high-level discussions on financing the energy transition in Canada.
Hosted by Presenting Sponsor CIBC, this exclusive, one-day event is the only Canadian conference dedicated to bridging the gap between the clean power sector and the finance and investment community. Attendees explored the emerging opportunities—and growing complexities—of financing clean energy projects across the country.
Clean energy developers, asset owners, investors and finance professionals gathered in Toronto to share insights on project financing and Canada’s evolving energy market.
Vittoria Bellissimo, President and CEO of CanREA, and Roman Dubczak, Deputy Chair of CIBC Capital Markets, opened the day with welcoming remarks that set the tone for the Summit’s finance-forward discussions.
Caption: CanREA’s Vittoria Bellissimo and CIBC’s Roman Dubczak kicked off the Clean Power Finance Canada–CanREA Summit with opening remarks.
The keynote address, “Powering Canada’s Future: Financing the next generation of renewable energy,” was delivered by Sashen Guneratna (CIB), who spoke about emerging investment pathways and overcoming barriers in clean energy finance.
Caption: Sashen Guneratna (CIB) delivered the morning keynote address, emphasizing the need to unlock capital for Canada’s energy transition.
The opening plenary, “Global trends, local impacts: How will international trade and energy policies affect Canada’s clean energy markets?,” moderated by Michelle Chislett (Northland Power), explored how global trade and energy policies are shaping Canadian markets. Panelists James Brooks (CIBC), Elizabeth Kaiga (DNV) and Ryan Lax (Torys LLP) provided macroeconomic insights with local implications.
Caption: The opening plenary panel explored how international finance and policy trends are shaping clean energy opportunities in Canada.
The program then split into two parallel sessions. The “Cutting edge: Financing emerging clean power technologies” panel, moderated by Eric Visser (Vancity Community Investment Bank), examined financing strategies for emerging clean technologies like green hydrogen and long-duration storage. Speakers included Jeff Messner (Novus Earth), Scott Keating (Trillium Power Wind Corp.), Frank Davis (Pattern Energy) and Sonal Shah (Hydrostar Inc.).
Meanwhile, “Mapping the political landscape: Policy insights for Canada’s clean power industry,” moderated by Ahmed Irfan (RBC), brought together political experts Sandra Aubé (Tact Conseil), Chris Benedetti (Sussex Strategy Group), David Herle (Rubicon Strategy) and Mark Cameron (Glenfinnan Consulting) to assess Canada’s shifting policy terrain and its implications for clean energy development.
Caption: Leading political strategists discussed federal and provincial policy landscapes and what’s next for clean energy infrastructure in Canada.
After lunch, the panel on “Indigenous equity financing: Funding opportunities for clean energy partnerships,” moderated by Cherie Brant (Borden Ladner Gervais), addressed the persistent barriers Indigenous communities face in accessing capital for clean energy projects. Panelists Sashen Guneratna (Canada Infrastructure Bank), Shaun Fantauzzo (First Nations Major Projects Coalition), Crystal Nicholas (Wskijinu’k Mtmo’taqnuow Agency) and Andrew Kennedy (Capstone Infrastructure Corporation) explored financing tools, investment models and strategies to support equitable Indigenous participation in the energy transition.
In parallel, the panel “Seeing green: The future of the ITCs, financing tools & optimizing claims,” moderated by David Warner (EDF Renewables), offered practical insights into Canada’s evolving Investment Tax Credit landscape. Panelists Jennifer Majid (LCAB), Rayna Narayansingh (National Bank of Canada), Brony Fong (KPMG Canada) and Dan Jankovic (Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP) discussed how developers and investors can optimize claims, leverage new financial instruments, and avoid common pitfalls in clean energy project financing.
Caption: Finance experts unpacked how ITCs and other tools can unlock billions in clean energy investment.
In the late afternoon, the panel “Charge forward: Financing energy storage,” moderated by Niru Thambirajah (CIBC Capital Markets), examined the financial and regulatory landscape for energy storage across Canada. Panelists Michael Kaufman (Aypa Power), Rob Lydan (Phoventus) and Jake Sadikman (Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP) shared insights into investment models, market structures and the policy frameworks needed to unlock the full potential of energy storage solutions.
At the same time, the “Big Tech: Power-hungry and driving clean electricity investment” panel, moderated by Thomas Timmins (Gowling WLG), explored how the rapid growth of AI and data centres is reshaping electricity demand in Canada. Panelists Patrick Lo (Microsoft), Ray Fakhoury (Amazon Web Services), Strahan McCarten (eStruxture Data Centers) and David Devereaux (IESO) discussed the implications for power procurement, infrastructure planning, and clean energy investment.
Caption: Speakers shared how big tech’s growing electricity demands are accelerating clean power investment across Canada.
The final set of panels addressed both risk management and market outlook. In “Risk and return: Innovative insurance solutions for clean energy projects,” moderator Jen Aitchison (Hub International) led a dynamic discussion on how insurance is evolving to meet the needs of the clean energy sector. Panelists Paul Turner (Hub International), George Schulz (New Energy Risk), Fraser Roberts (INTECH Risk Management) and Kapil Kalra, CFA (Vancity Community Investment Bank) shared innovative approaches to mitigating capital risk, protecting revenue streams, and unlocking more affordable financing.
Simultaneously, CanREA and Dunsky Energy + Climate Advisors offered an exclusive preview of their upcoming report, Canada’s Renewable Energy Market Outlook 2025. Moderated by Jackie Forrest (ARC Energy Research Institute), the session featured insights from Ahmed Hanafy (Dunsky), Leonard Kula (CanREA) and Evan Wilson (CanREA). Together, they provided an early look at key market forecasts, provincial procurement plans, technology cost trends, and other critical data shaping the future of wind, solar and energy storage in Canada. The full report will be officially launched during a CanREA-hosted webinar in September 2025.
Caption: CanREA and Dunsky previewed their 2025 market outlook for wind, solar and storage in Canada.
The day concluded with a closing keynote from Ontario Minister Sam Oosterhoff, who shared insights on the province’s evolving role in Canada’s clean energy transition.
Caption: Minister Sam Oosterhoff offered closing remarks on Ontario’s clean energy strategy.
Vittoria Bellissimo, CanREA’s President and CEO, then returned to the stage to deliver closing remarks, thanking attendees and reinforcing the critical role of collaboration between the finance and clean power sectors.
Attendees then transitioned to CanREA Connects – Ontario, the highly anticipated Summer Solstice networking reception.
Thank you
Thank you to our sponsors for their generous support in making CanREA’s event a resounding success.
Caption: Wesley Johnston from CanREA with James Brooks from CIBC.Caption: Wesley Johnston from CanREA with Robert Lydan and Tatiana de Souzza Lima from Phoventus.Caption: Anna Moser, Timothy Burke, Elizabeth Kaiga, Benjamin Zanetti from DNV, with CanREA’s Wesley Johnston.Caption: Isabel Taylor, Wesley Johnston (CanREA) Alex Newhook, and Ahmed Hanafy form Dunsky Energy + Climate Advisors.Caption: (From left to right) Dan Schwartz, Tyler Ferguson, Pirannavan Logeswaran, Kapil Kalra, Eric Visser, Wesley Johnston (CanREA) and Alfred Lee from Vancity Community Investment Bank.Caption: Radha and Jean Habel from CanREA with Joel Veenstra and Arthur Arnold- PCL Construction.Caption: CanREA’s Jean Habel, Kevin Linnane from Goldwind and Theo Peters from Vensys Energy Inc.Caption: Rim Assaad, Rachelle Lynne-Davies and Scott Gerylo from Compass Energy Consulting.
