Spotlight on Renewable Energy

Canadian Solar Industries Association (CanSIA)

Michel Letellier

President & CEO

Innergex Renewable Energy

David Berliner

Co-Founder & CEO

CoPower

Part of The Future of Energy Series

Published on April 25, 2018

Watch and Read the Experts’ Full Interviews:

Consumer Demand Can Drive the Energy Transition Ron Seftel CEO Bullfrog Power
Solar, Electrification and Canadian Economic Growth John Gorman President & CEO Canadian Solar Industries Association (CanSIA)
Canada’s Power Sector: Big changes ahead Michel Letellier President & CEO Innergex Renewable Energy
Millennials: Aligning Investment Portfolios With Values David Berliner Co-Founder & CEO CoPower

Canada is blessed with some of the world’s best renewable energy resources and already has a power system that is largely emission-free. Hydropower, wind and solar energy are our main sources of renewable, emission-free power. However, the significant growth in electricity demand that will be brought on by the electrification of the Canadian economy – necessary to meet our emission reduction targets – will pose significant challenges but also present large opportunities for the growth of renewable energy sources. It will also disrupt our electricity industry’s structure, its players’ business models, and individuals’ and businesses’ relationships with power.

This Spotlight sheds light on the important role renewable energy sources will play in powering Canada’s future economy, and the massive transformation our electricity sector will undergo as we transition to being carbon-free.

Key Takeaways & Calls to Action

The demand for renewable energy on the consumer and industry side – known as the voluntary market – is just as influential as supply side changes like innovation in cleantech and public policy.
In order to meet Canada’s target of 90% non-emitting electricity by 2030, we must decarbonize our electricity supply and electrify a significant and growing portion of our transportation, buildings and industry sectors. Achieving this deep electrification will position Canada as one of the global winners of the energy and sustainability transition.
Utilities will need to adapt their business model as customers begin to self-produce electricity and energy companies get open access to customers.
Millennials are inheriting the largest transfer of wealth ever seen and they are more conscious about the social and environmental impact of their investments. This has considerable implications for the future of Canada’s energy sector.

About the Experts

Ron Seftel is Chief Executive Officer of Bullfrog Power, where he leads the company’s renewable energy marketing and operations strategy. He focuses on expanding access to green electricity and carbon-neutral energy solutions for homes and businesses, supporting broader adoption of renewable energy across Canada.

Bullfrog Power is a Canadian renewable energy provider offering green electricity and carbon offset solutions. It enables residential and commercial customers to support renewable energy generation through certified clean energy options.

Ron Seftel Bullfrog Power
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John Gorman is President and Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Solar Industries Association (CanSIA), where he leads national advocacy and industry development efforts for Canada’s solar energy sector. He focuses on advancing solar adoption, supporting policy development, and strengthening the growth of clean energy markets across the country.

The Canadian Solar Industries Association (CanSIA) is a national trade association representing Canada’s solar energy industry.
It advocates for policies and market conditions that support the growth and deployment of solar energy across Canada.

John Gorman
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Michel Letellier is President and Chief Executive Officer of Innergex Renewable Energy, where he leads the company’s development, acquisition, ownership, and operation of renewable energy facilities. He has extensive experience in the power sector and has guided Innergex’s growth in hydroelectric, wind, solar, and energy storage projects across multiple markets.

Innergex Renewable Energy is a Canadian independent renewable power producer.
It develops, owns, and operates hydroelectric, wind, solar, and energy storage facilities in Canada, the United States, Europe, and Chile.

Michel Letellier Innergex Renewable Energy
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David Berliner is Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of CoPower, where he leads the company’s efforts to provide clean energy investment solutions for individuals and institutions. He has a background in sustainable finance and impact investing, focusing on mobilizing capital toward renewable energy and environmental infrastructure projects.

CoPower is a Canadian clean energy investment platform focused on sustainable finance.
It connects investors with renewable energy and energy efficiency projects to support environmental and climate-positive outcomes.

David Berliner
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