CanWEA 2017 Conference and Exhibition
Canada's premier wind energy conference bringing together over 1,200 industry professionals to discuss the energy transition and wind energy's role in Canada's low-carbon future. The event featured expert speakers, educational sessions, and a trade exhibition with over 110 exhibitors.
The CanWEA 2017 Conference and Exhibition represented a pivotal gathering for Canada's wind energy sector, attracting more than 1,200 professionals from across Canada and internationally. The 2.5-day event focused on the theme of 'Energy Transition,' examining how wind energy will drive Canada's shift to a low-carbon economy. Keynote presentations included Kim Rudd, Parliamentary Secretary to Canada's Minister of Natural Resources, and The Honourable Sergio Marchi, CEO of the Canadian Electricity Association, providing high-level government and industry perspectives on renewable energy policy.
The conference program featured comprehensive coverage of industry developments, with opening plenary sessions examining the electricity grid of the future and how cost-competitive renewable generation, smart grid technologies, and storage solutions are transforming energy production and consumption. Additional plenary sessions explored emerging demand drivers including electric vehicle adoption, opportunities in remote communities, wind energy export potential to the United States, and the growing trend of corporate renewable energy purchases. Eight concurrent educational sessions provided deep-dive insights into operational improvements, technology advancements, permitting challenges, and safety considerations.
The trade exhibition component showcased over 110 exhibitors representing Canada's leading wind energy companies, displaying cutting-edge products and services. This combination of educational content and industry showcase provided attendees with both strategic insights and practical solutions for advancing wind energy development. The conference served as a critical platform for networking and business development within Canada's rapidly growing wind energy sector.
The timing of the conference proved particularly significant, coming as multiple provinces were implementing major renewable energy policies. Quebec's 2030 Energy Policy, Alberta's aggressive grid modernization efforts, and Ontario's pending Long-Term Energy Plan were all key discussion topics, making this conference essential for industry professionals seeking to understand and capitalize on Canada's evolving energy landscape. The event reinforced wind energy's position as Canada's fastest-growing electricity generation source and highlighted the sector's potential for continued expansion.