José Luis Blanco, Annette Verschuren, Jigar Shah, John Stackhouse and Chief Perry Bellegarde among featured speakers at Canada’s clean energy conference and exhibition
Ottawa, September 17, 2026—The Canadian Renewable Energy Association (CanREA), alongside partners RE+ Events and Italian German Exhibition Company Canada, today announced the conference program for Electricity Transformation Canada (ETC) 2026, taking place October 19 to 21 at the Enercare Centre in Toronto.
More than 2,500 attendees are expected at ETC 2026, where speakers from the electricity sector, business, Indigenous organizations and government will address rising electricity demand, investment and competitiveness, energy security, grid modernization and Indigenous economic partnerships.
“Canada needs affordable wind, solar and energy storage to meet growing electricity demand, and ETC brings together the people who are building the electricity system we need,” said Vittoria Bellissimo, President and CEO of CanREA. “This year’s program will tackle the big questions facing our sector, from how we build ahead of demand and attract investment to how we strengthen energy security and create opportunities for communities across Canada.”
José Luis Blanco, CEO of Nordex Group, will deliver the opening keynote on the state of global wind energy and what it means for Canada’s clean electricity future. Chief Perry Bellegarde, former national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, will deliver Building a Clean Power Nation Together, a keynote address on Indigenous partnership in energy development and the relationship between reconciliation and Canada’s clean power future.
Clean energy entrepreneur and investor Jigar Shah will join John Stackhouse of RBC for a fireside chat on the technological, policy and regulatory changes affecting the electricity sector, including energy security, investment and the need to build ahead of growing demand.
Other featured speakers include Annette Verschuren, founder and chair of NRStor, on positioning Canada for clean energy growth; Carolyn Calwell, CEO of the Ontario Energy Board, on regulatory and permitting delays; and Jennifer Williams, president and CEO of Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro, on grid reliability, cost and preparing for the next era of electrification.
“Through this invaluable partnership, ETC has grown to become Canada’s flagship clean energy event,” said Stephen Miner, President and CEO of RE+ Events. “We’re especially excited for attendees to experience this year’s fantastic lineup of education sessions and speakers addressing the forces driving the nation’s energy transition.”
Across three days, ETC 2026 will focus on affordability and reliability, rising electricity demand, investment and competitiveness, energy security, grid modernization, AI and data centres, Indigenous economic partnerships, permitting and transmission. The program will also include education sessions, networking and an exhibition featuring companies and technologies from across the electricity sector.
Electricity Transformation Canada 2026
October 19 to 21
Enercare Centre
Toronto, Ontario
For the full conference program, speaker lineup and registration information, visit electricity-transformation.ca.
Quotes
“Canada needs affordable wind, solar and energy storage to meet growing electricity demand, and ETC brings together the people who are building the electricity system we need. This year’s program will tackle the big questions facing our sector, from how we build ahead of demand and attract investment to how we strengthen energy security and create opportunities for communities across Canada.”
—Vittoria Bellissimo, President and CEO, Canadian Renewable Energy Association (CanREA)
“Through this invaluable partnership, ETC has grown to become Canada’s flagship clean energy event. We’re especially excited for attendees to experience this year’s fantastic lineup of education sessions and speakers addressing the forces driving the nation’s energy transition.”
—Stephen Miner, President and CEO, RE+ Events
For media interview opportunities, please contact:
Communications
Canadian Renewable Energy Association
communications@renewablesassociation.ca
About Electricity Transformation Canada
Electricity Transformation Canada (ETC) is developed by the Canadian Renewable Energy Association (CanREA), which represents the voice of wind energy, solar energy and energy storage in Canada, in partnership with Deutsche Messe, one of the leading trade fair companies worldwide; the Italian Exhibition Group, one of the world’s largest and most active event organizers; and RE+ Events, a global event management organization focused on the clean energy industry. Together, these organizations support a shared vision of innovation and collaboration in Canada’s renewable energy industry, which is key to future success and prosperity.
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 policy advocacy and stakeholder 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 wind energy, solar energy and energy storage can decarbonize and modernize Canada’s electricity systems quickly and affordably, follow us on LinkedIn and visit renewablesassociation.ca.
About RE+ Events
RE+ Events is the global event and association management organization specializing in the clean energy industry. Our flagship event, RE+ (formerly SPI), is the largest renewable energy event in North America. The RE+ Events portfolio also includes events within the U.S. focusing on trends and policies in specific states/regions, and international events that bring together clean energy leaders in up-and-coming markets across the world.
About IGECO Canada
Italian German Exhibition Company Canada (IGECO Canada) is an alliance between Italian Exhibition Group and Deutsche Messe. Building on its international experience in developing and managing B2B exhibitions, conferences and business platforms, IGECO Canada is focused on supporting the growth of strategic industries and fostering international business connections in the Canadian market. IGECO Canada participates in the organization of Electricity Transformation Canada (ETC), in collaboration with RE+ and the Canadian Renewable Energy Association (CanREA). Through this platform, IGECO Canada brings together key industry stakeholders, facilitates knowledge exchange and creates new business opportunities across Canada’s rapidly evolving energy transition ecosystem. By leveraging the global expertise and networks of its parent organizations, IGECO Canada aims to connect Canadian and international companies, strengthen industry collaboration and contribute to the development of high-value business opportunities in the energy transition sector.