Successful new conference in Toronto opens dialogue between the finance and clean power industries.
Toronto, June 19, 2024—Nearly 140 people attended the sold-out, inaugural edition of the Clean Power Finance Canada—CanREA Summit, held at CIBC Square in downtown Toronto today. This full-day conference hosted by the Canadian Renewable Energy Association (CanREA) brought together industry leaders and investment experts to discuss the financial landscape of Canada’s clean-energy market.
“We created the Clean Power Finance Canada Summit to open dialogue between the finance and clean power industries, because the clean energy transition represents a massive investment opportunity in Canada,” said Vittoria Bellissimo, CanREA’s President and CEO. “We need to invest in renewables and energy storage to reach Canada’s climate targets, as well as to meet the growing demand for electricity, and to stay competitive in a rapidly digitizing economy.”
The conference convened expert speakers to help investors understand the particularities of renewable energy and energy storage projects, while providing valuable insights on financing for CanREA member companies and the full clean-energy sector.
In his opening remarks, James Brooks (Managing Director & Co-Head of Energy, Infrastructure & Transition Investment Banking at CIBC Capital Markets) emphasized the importance of financial strategies in advancing Canada’s clean energy future.
As the keynote speaker, the Hon. Lisa Raitt (Vice-Chair of Global Investment Banking at CIBC and former federal Minister of Transport, of Labour, and of Natural Resources) highlighted the critical role of strategic investments and policy support in accelerating Canada’s clean energy transition.
Over the course of the day, five panel discussions explored different aspects of the summit’s theme, including:
- “State of the Industry: Clean Power in Canada” provided a finance-focused overview of the clean-energy investment landscape in Canada.
- “Revenues & Reporting: Understanding Clean Power Value Streams” delved into the various revenue streams and market pricing available across Canada.
- “The Game of Risk: Identifying & Mitigating Risk Profiles for Clean-Power Projects” discussed how the industry manages and mitigates the risks faced by clean power projects, including supply-chain management, project siting and permitting, transmission access, political carbon pricing risk, and workforce development.
- “Indigenous Equity Financing: Exploring Funding Avenues for Indigenous Partnerships,” identified barriers faced by Indigenous communities in securing financing for equity partnerships in clean energy projects, as well as solutions to these challenges.
- “Financing the Innovators: Emerging Clean-Power Technologies” showcased innovative technologies poised to transform the clean energy landscape, such as green hydrogen, long-duration energy storage and offshore wind.
With standing room only in these sessions, the popular conference provided critical insights into the financial mechanisms driving Canada’s clean energy future, along with networking opportunities when all attendees could mingle and discuss matters further.
CanREA wishes to thank all attendees, moderators and speakers for helping to make the Clean Power Finance Canada—CanREA Summit a success. A special word of thanks to Presenting Sponsor, CIBC, and Bronze Sponsors Compass Energy Consulting, DNV, Evolugen, Osler, Phoventus Canada and Gallagher.
Photos
The full photo album will be posted here.
Quotes
“We created the Clean Power Finance Canada Summit to open dialogue between the finance and clean power industries, because the clean energy transition represents a massive investment opportunity in Canada. We need to invest in renewables and energy storage to reach Canada’s climate targets, as well as to meet the growing demand for electricity, and to stay competitive in a rapidly digitizing economy.”
—Vittoria Bellissimo, President and CEO, Canadian Renewable Energy Association (CanREA)
For interview opportunities, please contact:
Michaela Ianni, Communications Specialist
Canadian Renewable Energy Association
613-805-4465
communications@renewablesassociation.ca
About CanREA
The Canadian Renewable Energy Association (CanREA) is the voice for wind energy, solar energy and energy storage solutions that will power Canada’s energy future. We work to create the conditions for a modern energy system through stakeholder advocacy and public engagement. Our diverse members are uniquely positioned to deliver clean, low-cost, reliable, flexible and scalable solutions for Canada’s energy needs. For more information on how Canada can use wind energy, solar energy and energy storage to help achieve its net-zero commitments, consult “Powering Canada’s Journey to Net-Zero: CanREA’s 2050 Vision.” Follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn. Subscribe to our newsletter here. Learn more at renewablesassociation.ca.