Canadian Council on Renewable Electricity
The story of renewable electricity powering the Canadian economy is almost as old as the country itself; in 1881, the Ottawa Electric Light Company built the first Canadian hydropower facility at Chaudière Falls.
Yet with so much potential, the most compelling story about Canadian renewable electricity has yet to be written.
Now the rest of the world is shifting to renewable electricity. From the United States to Europe to Africa and Asia, global investment in new renewable electricity capacity now outpaces fossil fuel sources. Technological innovation continues to drive down costs, and unlike fossil fuels, there’s no fuel cost.
Ensuring our electricity grid is powered by clean, renewable energy offers a key climate change solution. And the more we electrify our economy—from buildings, to industry, to transportation—with renewable resources, the faster and deeper we can cut greenhouse gas pollution and ensure Canada stands out as a climate change leader.
With abundant and diverse renewable electricity resources distributed across the country, Canada has the potential to lead the world.
And when Canada leads, Canada wins.
“Clean, renewable, abundant hydropower has been powering our nation’s economy for over 130 years, we are well positioned to serve a growing Canadian and U.S. clean energy market.”
-Jacob Irving, President, Canadian Hydropower Association
The Council
Clean Energy Canada, a program of Simon Fraser University’s Centre for Dialogue, provides Secretariat support to the Council.
“With abundant wave, tidal, and river resources, Canada is poised to benefit from the emerging marine renewable energy industry at home and in the growing global marketplace.”
-Elisa Obermann, Executive Director, Marine Renewables Canada
Our Members
The founding members of the Council are the Canadian Hydropower Association, Canadian Solar Industries Association, Canadian Wind Energy Association, and Marine Renewables Canada.
To view detailed information on each of the Council members, select a link below.
Founded in 1998, the Canadian Hydropower Association (CHA) is the national trade association dedicated to representing the interests of the hydropower industry. Its members span the breadth of the industry and, with nearly 50 members, include hydropower producers, manufacturers, developers, engineering firms, organizations and individuals interested in the field of hydropower. CHA members represent more than 95% of the hydropower capacity in Canada.
Jacob Irving is the President of the Canadian Hydropower Association. He has over 10 years of experience as an association manager and government relations specialist. Prior to joining CHA, Jacob served as executive director of the Oil Sands Developers Group, where he acted as spokesperson for that association with a wide range of stakeholders in the energy industry, including municipal, provincial and federal governments, and aboriginal groups. He also brings experience from his time working in government and the petroleum sector, both in Canada and overseas.Contact: jacob@canadahydro.ca
Marine Renewables Canada was established in 2004 and focuses on advancing the development of wave, tidal, and river current energy in Canada. By aligning industry, academia and government, Marine Renewables Canada works to ensure that Canada is a leader in providing marine energy solutions to a world market. A national non-profit association, Marine Renewables Canada works endlessly to aid in the realisation of Canada’s marine energy resources, technologies, and project capabilities.
Elisa Obermann is the Executive Director of Marine Renewables Canada, which she joined in 2012 to support and strengthen collaboration inthe Atlantic region. Elisa plays a key role in working with industry, the supply chain, research community, and government to advance marine renewable energy development. She brings a range of experience and expertise in the marine renewable energy sector, having also held roles at the Fundy Ocean Research Center for Energy (FORCE) and Nova Scotia Department of Energy. She also spent several years in the private sector, specialized in corporate communications and marketing.Contact: elisa@marinerenewables.ca
CanSIA is a national trade association that represents the solar energy industry throughout Canada. Since 1992, CanSIA has worked to develop a strong, efficient, ethical and professional Canadian solar energy industry with capacity to provide innovative solar energy solutions and to play a major role in the global transition to a sustainable, clean-energy future.
John Gorman is the President and CEO of the Canadian Solar Industries Association, and is the spokesperson for the solar energy industry in Canada. John is a seasoned, strategic and thoughtful leader and recognized expert in building effective partnerships and coalitions to affect positive change. John brings expertise in government relations and public policy to the CanSIA Team developed during his 20-years of professional involvement in the solar energy and sustainable infrastructure sectors. John is a native of Ottawa where he lives with his wife and two children in their solar-powered home.Contact: jgorman@cansia.ca
CanWEA, the Canadian Wind Energy Association, is the voice of Canada’s wind energy industry, actively promoting the responsible and sustainable growth of wind energy. A national non-profit association, CanWEA is Canada’s leading source of information on wind energy’s social, economic, health and environmental benefits for Canadian communities and provincial economies. Established in 1984, CanWEA represents the wind energy community — organizations and individuals who are directly involved in the development and application of wind energy technology, products and services.
Robert Hornung has been President of the Canadian Wind Energy Association (CanWEA) since August 2003. He represents the interests of CanWEA members who are Canada’s wind energy leaders – wind farm owners, operators, project developers, consultants, manufacturers and service providers; and organizations and individuals interested in supporting Canada’s wind energy industry. Robert is also a Board Member of the Global Wind Energy Council and was named a Fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society in 2009.Contact: roberthornung@canwea.ca
“Solar energy is positioned to play a major role in the global transition to a sustainable, clean energy future.”
-John Gorman, President and CEO, Canadian Solar Industries Association
Resources
The wind, water, waves and sun provide an inexhaustible supply of free fuel to power our economy.With abundant and diverse renewable electricity resources distributed across the country, Canada has the potential to lead the world.
To view detailed information on each of the renewable resources, select an icon below:
Marine
Marine Energy |
|||||||
|
|
||||||
“Canada is a global leader in responsible and sustainable development of renewable wind energy.”
-Robert Hornung, President, Canadian Wind Energy Association