CanREA is thrilled to announce our 2026 calendar of national and regional events, ranging from specialized conferences to popular networking receptions, a golf tournament and more. We hope you will join us to connect with many of the country’s top innovators, business leaders and industry influencers with an interest in growing the wind energy, solar and energy-storage sectors across Canada. Mark your calendar today!
Registration for each event will launch periodically through the year.Subscribe to “Watt’s On,” CanREA’s monthly events newsletter, to stay informed.
Energy Storage Alberta—CanREA Summit: Calgary, April 16
CanREA Connects—Alberta: Calgary, April 16
MAY:
CanREA Connects—British Columbia: Vancouver, May 14
Renewable Energy Quebec—A CanREA Summit : Montréal, May 21 (event presented in French.Simultaneous interpretation available.)
CanREA Connects—Quebec: Montréal, May 21
CanREA Connects—Atlantic Canada: (Date and city to be confirmed)
JUNE:
Clean Power Finance Canada—CanREA Summit: Toronto, June 23
CanREA Connects—Ontario: Toronto, June 23
JULY:
CanREA Golf Tournament—Alberta: Calgary, July 15
OCTOBER:
Electricity Transition Canada: Toronto, October 19-21
NOVEMBER (dates to be confirmed) :
CanREA Connects—Alberta: Calgary
CanREA Connects—Quebec: Montréal
CanREA Connects—Atlantic Canada: Halifax
CanREA Connects—British Columbia: Vancouver
CanREA Connects—Manitoba: Winnipeg
Sponsorship opportunities
Stand out from the crowd! Sponsorship opportunities are available for various CanREA events. Please contact Julie Mair, CanREA’s Director of Membership and Business Development, to discuss your options.
CanREA’s Operators Summit returns for its sixth annual edition at the Delta Hotel, Airport & Conference Centre, in 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 300 professionals for two days of knowledge sharing, innovation and networking.
What to expect:
More than 300 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 Operators 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!
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
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
Renewable energy insurance claims: A deep dive into coverage, risk and lessons learned
Webinar presented by HUB International November 12, 2025
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 hosted an important insurance webinar for our members, presented by HUB International where Shawn Burnett (Executive General Adjuster, McLarens), Lisa Asbreuk (Business and Energy Law Partner, Cunningham Swan LLP) and Eric Howie (Vice President, HUB International) discussed the evolving claims of landscape in renewable energy.
Drawing on real-world case studies, the panel explored common causes of loss, the role of policy wording and contract language, and how claims are resolved—both successfully and unsuccessfully. Participants gained insights into what went wrong, how disputes were shaped and what could have been done differently.
Speakers
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 Halifax, Nova Scotia
With more than 140 attendees, CanREA’s Fall Connects event in Halifax marked our largest regional meeting yet, bringing together a broad cross-section of Atlantic Canada’s renewable energy and energy storage community for high-impact networking and forward-looking market discussion.
Hosted at Stewart McKelvey, the reception brought together developers, suppliers, utilities, policy leaders, municipal representatives, Indigenous organizations, community advocates and emerging professionals at a pivotal moment for the region’s electricity future.
Highlights from special speakers
The evening’s speakers painted a clear picture of both the momentum and the responsibility facing Atlantic Canada as the region accelerates its renewable energy transition.
Johnny Johnston, President and CEO of the new IESO Nova Scotia, provided an in-depth look at how the organization is rapidly building capacity to guide the province’s future electricity system. He emphasized that despite ongoing volatility in broader North American markets, Nova Scotia is entering a period defined by renewed focus, ambition and long-term purpose in energy planning.
Honourable Seamus O’Regan, Senior Business Advisor at Stewart McKelvey, highlighted that the long-anticipated shift in the electricity market is now fully underway. He noted that Atlantic Canada is entering a defining window for scaling renewable energy, advancing innovative project models and strengthening community-centered development. Years of preparation are translating into concrete momentum, and stakeholders across the region are well-positioned to act.
Honourable Tim Halman, Nova Scotia’s Minister of Environment and Climate Change, reinforced this sense of urgency. He underscored that the conditions for growth are aligned and that Atlantic Canada is uniquely positioned to move quickly on renewable deployment, transmission planning and regional collaboration. He stressed that the region’s potential will only be realized through coordinated, timely action.
Michelle Robichaud, President of the Atlantica Centre for Energy, added an important perspective grounded in regional system realities. She emphasized that Atlantic Canada’s path forward must balance affordability, reliability and climate objectives, three priorities that reinforce one another rather than compete. Robichaud highlighted that regional collaboration, supported by thoughtful planning and a modest amount of firm, flexible capacity, will be essential to ensuring the region can meet its climate goals while maintaining public confidence.
Together, their perspectives underscored several shared themes:
Nova Scotia’s transition is accelerating as new institutions take shape.
Maritime provinces face capacity shortfalls beginning in 2026, making coordinated action essential.
Indigenous participation and equity ownership remain central to responsible development.
A balanced mix of wind, community and behind-the-meter solar, energy storage and flexible, dispatchable resources will be required to maintain reliability and affordability.
Regional collaboration is critical to advancing net-zero objectives while keeping public confidence strong.
These insights helped set the tone for a forward-looking and solutions-focused conversation throughout the evening.
Caption: From left to right: Imran Noorani, Vice President of Policy; Wesley Johnston, Vice President of Business Development, Finance and Operations; Melissa Sheehy-Richard, MLA (Hants West); Hon. Tim Halman, Nova Scotia’s Minister of Environment and Climate Change; Johnny Johnston, President & CEO, IESO Nova Scotia; Hon. Seamus O’Regan, Senior Business Advisor at Stewart McKelvey; Jean Habel, Senior Director of Policy for Québec and Atlantic Canada; and Eddie Oldfield, Manager of Policy for Atlantic Canada.
A strong community conversation
Over light refreshments, attendees reconnected with colleagues and met new partners, discussing upcoming procurement opportunities, regional transmission priorities, workforce needs, community engagement and the growing role of energy storage across Atlantic Canada.
Atlantic member network meetings
Earlier in the day, CanREA convened its Atlantic member network for a dedicated meeting focused on key developments across Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador. Members received updates on provincial policy, anticipated procurement timelines, emerging supply chain considerations and upcoming work led by CanREA’s policy team.
Working together for Atlantic Canada’s energy future
CanREA extends its sincere thanks to everyone who attended CanREA Connects—Atlantic Canada and contributed to the day’s discussions. The event demonstrated the region’s momentum and the commitment of local, national and international partners working to accelerate wind, solar and energy storage deployment.
We invite all attendees, and those who could not join us, to explore our events calendar for upcoming CanREA events across the country.
Thank you to our sponsors:
CanREA Connects—British Columbia
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.
More than 150 leaders from Quebec’s renewable energy and energy storage sector gathered in Montreal for an evening of networking, sector dialogue and business meetings with influential industry players.
Highlights from special speakers included:
Claude Guay, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, who emphasised that the federal budget includes structural measures for the entire renewable energy ecosystem, including municipalities and Indigenous communities. These investments represent a major step forward for energy deployment in the coming years and for the Canadian economy.
Mr. Louis-Charles Thouin, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Economy, Innovation and Energy, reaffirmed the Quebec government’s commitment to significantly increase renewable energy production. He also highlighted the importance of improving flexibility, efficiency, and productivity in project delivery, while maintaining rigorous processes.
Caption: From left to right: Imran Noorani (CanREA); Claude Guay, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources; Louis-Charles Thouin, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Economy, Innovation and Energy; Jean Habel (CanREA); and Martin Robitaille (National Bank).
Over light refreshments, participants mingled with CanREA members, developers, suppliers, municipal representatives, community leaders and industry experts. CanREA was also pleased to welcome William Shemie, a new member of the CanREA Board of Directors.
Quebec Member Network Meeting
Earlier in the day, CanREA held a meeting with its Quebec member network, bringing together committed companies from across the province. At this meeting, CanREA announced the new 2025-2026 Quebec steering committee, composed of Stéphane Desdunes, William Shemie, Sabrina Harbec, Simon Bélanger, Samuel Gervais, Denis Legallais and Marie-Pierre Morel.
This committee reflects the strength, commitment and dynamism of a network that is essential to advancing political discussions and developing the market in Quebec.
A collective effort for Quebec’s energy future
CanREA warmly thanks everyone who attended for their active and constructive participation. The evening provided an opportunity to advance discussions on the future of wind, solar and energy storage in Quebec, while strengthening ties between the organizations shaping the province’s energy development.
We invite everyone to consult our events calendar to find out about upcoming CanREA events.
Thank you to our sponsors:
CanREA Connects—Alberta
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 brought together more than 100 professionals driving the province’s renewable energy future.
The event fostered meaningful dialogue on the evolving policy landscape, market opportunities and challenges shaping Alberta’s energy transition. Attendees connected directly with industry leaders, CanREA members and key stakeholders working to advance wind, solar and energy storage across the province.
It was an engaging and insightful evening that showcased the strength of CanREA’s member network and CanREA’s active role in shaping Alberta’s renewable energy and energy storage future.
Thank you to our sponsors:
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
A record-breaking year for clean energy collaboration
October 6-8, 2025 Toronto, Ontario
Thank you to all CanREA members, partners and supporters who helped make Electricity Transformation Canada (ETC) 2025 a record-breaking success in Toronto.
This year’s edition was the largest ETC to date, bringing together 2,900 clean energy professionals from across Canada and around the world. The event featured more than 120 expert speakers and 180 exhibitors showcasing the latest innovations in renewable energy, energy storage and electrification technologies.
From the moment the doors opened, the excitement was palpable. Across the show floor, exhibitors demonstrated how solar, wind, storage, hydrogen and microgrid solutions—enhanced by AI, digital tools and new manufacturing breakthroughs—are accelerating the clean energy transition and reshaping Canada’s electricity future.
Attendees experienced a dynamic, three-day event built for collaboration and learning: educational sessions led by industry leaders and policymakers, workshops, forward-looking plenaries and countless opportunities to connect—from the welcome reception to lively meetups across the exhibition hall.
Opening night: Celebrating Canada’s clean energy leadership
The evening began with a powerful address from Vittoria Bellissimo, President and CEO of CanREA, who spoke about Canada’s leadership in renewable energy and the importance of collaboration to achieve a reliable, affordable and sustainable electricity system.
She was joined by Chief Claire Sault of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, who delivered an Indigenous welcome, emphasizing the values of partnership, respect and stewardship at the heart of Canada’s clean energy transition.
Additional remarks came from CanREA Board Chair Colleen Giroux-Schmidt (Innergex) and Chinyere Eni (RBC Origins), who both highlighted the critical roles of private sector innovation and reconciliation in advancing a clean energy future that benefits all Canadians.
Keynote address
Ontario’s Minister of Energy, Stephen Lecce, delivered the evening keynote, outlining the province’s vision for affordable, reliable and innovative electricity. He highlighted the role of renewable energy, energy storage and infrastructure modernization in supporting Ontario’s economy and climate goals while strengthening collaboration across provinces and Indigenous communities.
Opening plenary
Harnessing Canada’s Clean Energy: A Strategic Advantage for Global Competitiveness
Caption: Panellists: JP Gladu (Mokwateh), Ehren Cory (Canada Infrastructure Bank), Heather Chalmers (GE Vernova Canada), Patrick Decostre (Boralex) and Tracy Antoine (RBC) shared their insights on how Canada can harness its clean energy advantage to drive competitiveness, energy security and sustainable growth.
Canada is standing at the crossroads of geopolitics, energy security and economic development. The opening plenary examined how the country can leverage its clean energy advantage to strengthen global competitiveness and long-term prosperity. Moderated by Emma Graney (The Globe and Mail), the panel discussed ways that Canada can capitalize on its renewable energy resources to create robust, affordable and reliable electricity systems that attract investment and accelerate sustainable economic growth.
Recognizing leadership and excellence: WiRE and CanREA Awards
Following the plenary, ETC 2025 celebrated outstanding contributions to Canada’s clean energy sector with the 2025 Women of Distinction Awards, presented to Michelle Chislett (middle) and Tanna M. Pirie-Wilson (right).
Chislett, former Executive Vice President of Onshore Renewables at Northland Power Inc., was honoured for her leadership in wind, solar and storage development—most notably, Canada’s first grid-scale battery energy storage project, Oneida Energy Storage.
Pirie-Wilson is a Wolastoqiyik from the Nekutkuk Maliseet Nation (Tobique First Nation) in New Brunswick. She was the first woman to serve as both Senior Band Administrator and CEO of band-owned enterprises for Tobique First Nation. In this role, she led the development of wind energy projects in her community. Pirie-Wilson also served on the Board of Directors for Indigenous Clean Energy (ICE), and she continues to work with the organization as a youth mentor.
The evening continued with the first-ever CanREA Awards, introduced by Vittoria Bellissimo, recognizing innovation, leadership and excellence in renewable energy and energy storage. Twenty projects were nominated this year, and CanREA looks forward to an even bigger crop of entries in 2026!
Winners included:
Hagersville Battery Energy Storage Park – Six Nations of the Grand River Development Corporation and Boralex (Innovative Canadian Clean Power Project of the Year)
Glooscap Energy (Indigenous Clean Energy Company of the Year)
Jayman BUILT – “Solar is Not an Option” (Canadian On-Site Project of the Year)
These inaugural awards highlighted the collaboration and ingenuity driving Canada’s renewable energy future. Congratulations to all nominees and winners!
Welcome reception
Caption: Colleen Giroux-Schmidt (Innergex Renewable Energy) and Lisa Asbreuk (Cunningham Swan LLP) — CanREA Board Chair and Board Secretary.
The evening concluded with a lively welcome reception, where attendees networked and celebrated the start of ETC 2025.
Spotlight on innovation, policy and market transformation
The ETC 2025 conference program featured four education streams:
Policy and Market Insights
Getting Projects Built
Unlocking Energy Storage
Utilities and Grid Modernization
Across these streams, sessions explored the most pressing issues in Canada’s clean energy landscape—from Distribution System Operator (DSO) models and supply chain resilience to energy storage deployment and labour market competitiveness.
A highlight was the standing-room-only session “Cross-Canada Check-Up on Policy, Markets and Procurements,” featuring CanREA’s regional policy directors sharing timely updates on procurement opportunities and policy developments across all regions.
Delegates also gained exclusive insights from the Canada’s Renewable Energy Market Outlook 2025 report, which forecasts that over the next decade, the Canadian energy sector will deploy:
30–51 GW of new wind power
17–26 GW of new solar power
12–16 GW of new energy storage
Together, these additions could increase renewables from 10% of supply today to as much as 33% of Canada’s electricity mix by 2050.
Exhibit Hall: The hub of innovation
The ETC 2025 Exhibit Hall was the heart of the event, featuring 180 exhibitors presenting cutting-edge technologies—from next-generation turbines and inverters to AI-driven grid management and advanced storage systems.
A key feature this year was the expanded Indigenous Clean Energy Pavilion, spotlighting projects and partnerships led by Indigenous communities and businesses across Canada.
Three show floor theatres hosted continuous technical talks, product demonstrations and educational sessions throughout the event, creating an interactive hub of knowledge and innovation.
Looking ahead to 2026
As Canada continues to accelerate its clean energy ambitions, Electricity Transformation Canada remains the country’s most important platform for collaboration, innovation and market growth.
Join us next year, from October 19 to 21, 2026, at the Enercare Centre in Toronto, Ontario.
