Canada’s wind, solar and energy-storage professionals gather for CanREA’s first in-person Operations Summit since the pandemic
Toronto, June 1, 2022— Nearly 150 renewable energy operations leaders from across Canada gathered at the Canadian Renewable Energy Association’s 2022 Operations Summit, the country’s largest wind, solar and energy-storage operations event.
This was the first time since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic that the CanREA Operations Summit has been held in-person. In 2021, the conference was held virtually.
“It has been more than two years since we met in this forum and there is not enough time to unpack what we have all been through in the time since we were last together,” said Phil McKay, CanREA’s Senior Operations Director, during his opening remarks on May 31. “I want to personally thank you for keeping Canada’s wind, solar, and energy storage fleet operating during this time.”
Experienced operations staff—who are spearheading the innovation, manufacturing, construction, installation and on-site performance of renewable energy technologies—are essential to Canada’s energy transition.
“While we meet just over 8% of electricity demand in the country, we have demonstrated that our technologies can be operated reliably in extreme circumstances and are ready to take on a larger proportion of Canada’s energy needs. We must continue to provide affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy in every area of this country regardless of what lies ahead,” McKay told the crowd.
As the lowest-cost options for new electricity in Canada, wind and solar are expected to become the fastest growing sources going forward. However, in order to meet Canada’s net-zero targets, we must expand at an unprecedented scale: About 3,800 MW of new wind-energy capacity and 1,600 MW of new solar-energy capacity every year from now until mid-century, CanREA’s 2050 Vision states. This represents a 10-fold expansion by 2050.
CanREA’s 2050 Vision is an ambitious but necessary framework in the fight against climate change. During the conference’s opening panel discussion, commercial-scale project owners and equipment and service providers discussed how the industry can realize this Vision.
Over the course of two days, attendees were given abundant opportunities to network with colleagues and learn about wind and solar O&M tools, human factors, burnout prevention, growing the industry and workforce development.
“What we can do today with solar, wind, and energy-storage equipment far surpasses what our electricity system has seen in the past century, and we are limited only by our creativity to think beyond the mere replication of the status quo and to form a new system, using the experiences we have gained at the leading edge,” said McKay.
CanREA thanks all presenters, attendees, exhibitors and sponsors for making the Operations Summit a success.
A special thank you to Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy Ltd. for supporting the event as a Presenting Sponsor, as well as to Goldwind Americas as the event’s Networking Reception Sponsor, to Enbridge as the Health and Safety Sponsor, to Liftwerx as the Innovation Sponsor, to Hwy H2O as the Mobile App Sponsor, and to Team-1 Academy and Pattern Canada as the conference’s Event Sponsors. CanREA would also like to thank our Media Partner, PvBuzz.
For more information about the program, visit the 2022 Operations Summit webpage.
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Quotes
“It has been more than two years since we met in this forum and there is not enough time to unpack what we have all been through in the time since we were last together. I want to personally thank you for keeping Canada’s wind, solar, and energy storage fleet operating during this time.”
“While we meet just over 8% of electricity demand in the country, we have demonstrated that our technologies can be operated reliably in extreme circumstances and are ready to take on a larger proportion of Canada’s energy needs. We must continue to provide affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy in every area of this country regardless of what lies ahead.”
“What we can do today with solar, wind, and energy-storage equipment far surpasses what our electricity system has seen in the past century, and we are limited only by our creativity to think beyond the mere replication of the status quo and to form a new system, using the experiences we have gained at the leading edge.”
—Phil McKay, CanREA’s Senior Director of Operations
Photos
“What we can do today with solar, wind, and energy-storage equipment far surpasses what our electricity system has seen in the past century,” said Phil McKay (Senior Director, Operations, Canadian Renewable Energy Association) in his opening remarks for the CanREA Operations Summit 2022.
“We will need wind and solar to provide two-thirds of the electricity required to decarbonize the Canadian economy by 2050,” said Brandy Giannetta, CanREA’s Vice-President of Policy, Regulatory & Government Affairs, who welcomed everyone to the CanREA Operations Summit 2022 by stressing the importance of the operations sector, which will play a critical role in the success of this endeavour.
Networking was king at the CanREA Operations Summit 2022. Here, Phil McKay (Senior Director, Operations, Canadian Renewable Energy Association) participates in an informal roundtable discussion with approximately 150 attendees.
One of the key sessions at the CanREA Operations Summit 2022 explored the important topic of workforce development, including the launch of CanREA’s new Human Factors workplan. The panelists, from L to R, were: Mike Doherty (President, Blue Arc Electrical Safety Technologies Inc.); Conor Tosh (Masters Student, University of Lethbridge); Mary MacLean (EHS Project Coordinator, CanREA); Michael Baker (Safety & Reliability Supervisor, Enbridge Power); Phil McKay (Senior Director, Operations, CanREA).
For more information or for interview opportunities, please contact:
Communications
Canadian Renewable Energy Association
647-268-3382
communications@renewablesassociation.ca
About the Canadian Renewable Energy Association (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 Vison.” Follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn. Subscribe to our newsletter here. Become a member here. Learn more at renewablesassociation.ca
