Robert Hornung to lead the Canadian Renewable Energy Association

A new national voice for the wind, solar and energy storage industries  

OTTAWA, May 19, 2020 /CNW/ - Today the Canadian Wind Energy Association (CanWEA) and the Canadian Solar Industries Association (CanSIA) are pleased to announce the name and leader of the new multi-technology association that will provide a unified voice for solar energy, wind energy, and energy storage in Canada. Effective July 1, 2020, the members of CanSIA and CanWEA will unite within the Canadian Renewable Energy Association under the trusted leadership of Robert Hornung, the long-standing president of CanWEA.

As the founding President and CEO of the Canadian Renewable Energy Association, Mr. Hornung will lead the member-based association in stakeholder advocacy and public engagement focused on ensuring that renewable energy and energy storage play a central role in transforming Canada's energy mix during this period of historical global transformation.

With a corporate office in Ottawa, the Canadian Renewable Energy Association will have national influence as well as a regional presence in jurisdictions across the country. The association will work to create conditions for a modern energy system that makes significant and positive contributions to Canada's economy and clean energy future. It will provide forums devoted to dialogue, collaboration and stewardship, and growth of the industry.

The formation of the Canadian Renewable Energy Association reflects the growing importance of innovative energy solutions that integrate multiple renewable energy technologies. The members of the Canadian Renewable Energy Association are uniquely positioned to deliver clean, low-cost, reliable, flexible and scalable solutions for Canada's energy needs.

Wind and solar generation meet an already significant and growing proportion of Canadian electricity demand, with a combined grid-connected installed capacity of more than 16,500 megawatts (MW). Recent power purchase contracts have confirmed that wind and solar energy are cost-competitive with conventional generation, with wind now being the lowest-cost source of new electricity generation in Canada. There is also rapid deployment of these technologies at both residential and commercial scales in Canada. Solar PV has been deployed in every province and territory across Canada. As Canada's leader in residential and commercial solar installations, Ontario reported a total of 2,673 MW in solar PV installations at the end of 2019. Diverse energy storage projects are playing a growing role in maximizing the contributions of clean generation to grid flexibility and reliability, with more than 20 storage facilities under contract by Ontario's grid operator alone.

Quotes

"The launch of the Canadian Renewable Energy Association is a major step forward toward the realization of more comprehensive energy solutions encompassing wind, solar and energy storage in Canada. It needs a leader with a clear vision of the modern energy system we're building in Canada, and an understanding of our membership's unique role in that effort. Robert Hornung brings that to the table, and we look forward to his leadership as our industries join forces in this very exciting new endeavour."

     Michelle Chislett, Interim Board Chair, Canadian Renewable Energy Association; 
     and Managing Director, Canada & U.S. Development, Northland Power

"We're launching a new association not only during an ongoing energy transition, but also during the massive challenge of managing through a pandemic and ensuring recovery from its economic impacts. More than ever, Canada's policy focus must remain on a transition to a clean economy powered by renewable energy. A unified voice for solar energy, wind energy and energy storage will help navigate the way to Canada's emission reduction targets while creating good jobs and economic opportunity in urban centres, rural areas and Indigenous communities across the country."

     Jason Chee-Aloy, Interim Board Vice Chair, Canadian Renewable Energy Association; 
     and Managing Director, Power Advisory LLC

"I'm honoured and excited to be leading a new association with a mandate unlike any other. There is a clear public desire to see advancement of the technologies we represent to capture the full promise of a renewable energy future. The Canadian Renewable Energy Association is the right vehicle to help make that promise a reality, while delivering great business value to each and every member."

     Robert Hornung, President & CEO, Canadian Renewable Energy Association

Robert Hornung Biography

Robert Hornung has been President of the Canadian Wind Energy Association (CanWEA) for nearly 17 years. During his time as President, he represented the interests of CanWEA members who are Canada's wind energy leaders ? wind farm owners, operators, project developers, consultants, manufacturers and service providers. Together with members and stakeholders, Robert helped facilitate wind energy growth in Canada from under 300 megawatts to over 13,000 megawatts of installed capacity through advocacy and engagement efforts. Prior to joining CanWEA, Robert worked on climate change issues with the Pembina Institute, Environment Canada, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development and Friends of the Earth Canada. Robert is currently on the Advisory Council of Positive Energy, a University of Ottawa research project that seeks to strengthen public confidence in Canadian energy policy.

 Background

• Bloomberg NEF has forecasted global investment of US$5.3 trillion in wind power generation assets, US$4.2 trillion in solar power generation assets, and US$843 billion in batteries in the period 2018-2050. It further forecasts that wind and solar will supply almost 50 per cent of the world's electricity by 2050.
• CanWEA and CanSIA currently share head office space in Ottawa and have a long history of collaboration on matters of mutual interest. Most recently they were among a number of signatories from Canada's clean energy sector to an open letter to Prime Minister Trudeau on the need for clean-energy-focused stimulus in order to build a better, more resilient economy in the wake of COVID-19. Learn more about the campaign and share your support for a better, more resilient Canada.
• The amalgamation of CanSIA and CanWEA was approved through separate membership votes on special resolutions on November 28, 2019.
• The Canadian Renewable Energy Association will open its doors on July 1, and hold its first AGM concurrent with its Energy Transformation Canada conference and tradeshow, scheduled for November 10-12 in Toronto.

About the Canadian Renewable Energy Association

The Canadian Renewable Energy Association is the voice for wind energy, solar energy and energy storage solutions that will power Canada's energy future. Our association works 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.

About the Canadian Wind Energy Association

The Canadian Wind Energy Association (CanWEA) 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 serves as Canada's leading source of credible information about wind energy and its social, economic and environmental benefits.

About the Canadian Solar Industries Association

The Canadian Solar Industries Association (CanSIA) is a national trade association that represents the solar energy industry throughout Canada. CanSIA's vision for Canada's solar energy industry is for solar electricity to be a mainstream energy source and an integral part of Canada's diversified electricity mix by 2020, operating in a supportive and stable policy and regulatory environment within a similar frame. 

SOURCE Canadian Wind Energy Association