In-Depth
NRCan invests in CanREA Electricity Transition Hub

(From left) Robert Hornung, Julie Dabrusin, Phil McKay. / Photo: Mario Cywinski.

The Hub, which is supported by $1.6 million in funding from Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), was announced by Julie Dabrusin, MP, and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Natural Resources and the Minister of Environment and Climate Change. CanREA, utilities and system operators will also contribute to the project.

“During today’s Electricity Transformation Conference, I was pleased to announce that the Government of Canada is supporting our utilities and systems operators to deliver the clean technologies we need to reach net-zero,” said Dabrusin. “This support for the Canadian Renewable Energy Association’s Electricity Transition Hub is an important step on the path to a prosperous net-zero future.”

The Hub is a knowledge-transfer tool helping electricity utilities and system operators accelerate their decarbonization efforts. It will equip participants to integrate larger amounts of wind energy, solar energy and energy storage needed to support electrification. A curated resource library and sharing relevant knowledge and skills through a quarterly report, quarterly meetings, and an annual Hub Summit event, will be a part of the Hub.

Photo: Mario Cywinski.

“CanREA is very excited to launch the Electricity Transition Hub. It is a unique entity that supports electricity system participants and helps them build capacity to accelerate the energy transition,” said Phil McKay, senior director, Electricity Transition Hub, CanREA. “CanREA is uniquely positioned to gather global knowledge on wind energy, solar energy and energy storage integration, and then to translate these resources effectively to be relevant in all of Canada’s different regions and electricity systems.”

The Hub has 13 founding participants, including Alberta Electric System Operator, BC Hydro, City of Medicine Hat, EPCOR, Essex Power Corporation, Fortis Inc., Manitoba Hydro, NB Power, Ontario Power Generation, Qulliq Energy Corporation, SaskPower, Toronto Hydro, and Utilities Kingston.

Photo: Mario Cywinski.

“We must build new wind energy, solar energy and energy storage projects at an unprecedented pace,” said Robert Hornung, president and CEO, CanREA. “Now is the right time to bring together Canada’s electricity utilities, system operators and renewable energy industry for capacity-building activities related to the deployment and integration of these technologies within electricity grids. There is not a moment to waste.”

For more information: https://renewablesassociation.ca/electricity-transition-hub/

“We are working with energy system operators and utilities from across the country to deliver a net-zero future,” said Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources. “Today’s investment of $1.6 Million in CanREA’s Electricity Transition Hub will enable collaboration on clean energy deployment and grid modernization across the country. Congratulations to CanREA and all those involved in this important work.”