CanREA’s Spring Forward event explored how wind energy, solar energy and energy storage will play a key role in boosting economic growth and job creation post-pandemic, while supporting critical 2030 and 2050 climate targets.
Ottawa, April 29, 2021 – The Canadian Renewable Energy Association (CanREA) brought together 175 renewable-energy experts from across Canada this week for a special event focused on recharging Canada’s economy with renewables.
“We called this event Spring Forward because that is exactly what Canada needs to do right now,” said Robert Hornung, CanREA President and CEO. “Canada has only reduced its GHG emissions by 1.1% in the last 14 years and our country just set a target to reduce emissions by a minimum of 40% in the next nine years. We need to spring into action and accelerate the deployment of clean, renewable electricity if we are to succeed in beating the climate crisis.”
The two-day program explored how wind, solar and energy storage will play a critical role in boosting economic growth and job creation post-pandemic, while also positioning Canada for sustained success at home and on the global stage.
Selected highlights:
- Opening keynote address by Peter Fraser (International Energy Agency, former Vice President of the Ontario Energy Board), spoke about Net-Zero 2050 and the implications for global renewables development.
- Closing keynote session by Linda Coady (Pembina Institute) and Janet Brown (Opinion Research) discussing polling indicating that Albertans are ready for a net-zero economy.
- The Globe and Mail’s Adam Radwanski moderated a discussion on “Navigating the Energy Transition Across Canada and the U.S.” with Melina Bartels from BloombergNEF and Sashen Guneratna of the Canada Infrastructure Bank.
- Annette Verschuren (Chair and CEO of NRStor Inc) led a fireside chat with Peter Gregg, President and CEO of Nova Scotia Power Inc., exploring how the NS grid is moving toward 80% renewable electricity by 2030, and what’s next for wind, solar and energy storage in the province.
- The CEO of the American Clean Power Association, Heather Zichal, sat down with CanREA’s President and CEO, Robert Hornung, to discuss the Biden administration’s climate change objectives and its goal to achieve a 100% clean electricity grid by 2035.
There were also stimulating sessions dedicated to topics such as green hydrogen, distributed energy resources, interconnection, energy storage and Canada’s carbon pricing framework.
“We had important discussions over the last two days that I hope will help to galvanize our thinking, as individuals and as an industry, on the work we need to do to make net-zero a reality,” said Hornung.
As Spring Forward made clear, wind energy, solar energy and energy-storage technologies offer a very positive route to recovery, as the world begins to heal from a global pandemic and gears up to tackle the climate crisis. Now more than ever, these technologies are poised to enable the transformation needed. It’s time to make it happen.
Quotes
“We called this event Spring Forward because that is exactly what Canada needs to do right now. Canada has only reduced its GHG emissions by 1.1% in the last 14 years, yet our country just set a target to reduce emissions by a minimum of 40% in the next nine years. We need to spring into action and accelerate the deployment of clean, renewable electricity if we are to succeed in beating the climate crisis.”
“We had important discussions over the last two days that I hope will help to galvanize our thinking, as individuals and as an industry, on the work we need to do to make net-zero a reality.”
—Robert Hornung, CanREA President and CEO
About the Canadian Renewable Energy Association (CanREA)
The Canadian Renewable Energy Association 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. Our vision is to ensure wind energy, solar energy and energy storage play a central role in transforming Canada’s energy mix.
Learn more at renewablesassociation.ca. Follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn. Subscribe to our newsletter here. Become a member here.
For more information or for interview opportunities, please contact:
Bridget Wayland, Communications Director
Canadian Renewable Energy Association
613-227-5378
bwayland@renewablesassociation.ca
Photos
