Canadian Council on Renewable Electricity
Canada is a global leader in using renewable electricity to power our homes, businesses and economy. With more than 65 percent of our electricity coming from renewable energy, we are a leader amongst the G7 group of countries.
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.
The wind, water, oceans and sun provide an inexhaustible supply of renewable fuel to power our economy.
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.
“Providing more than 60% of Canada’s clean and renewable electricity, hydropower is the backbone of our electricity system and a critical asset in reaching our national deep decarbonisation objectives.”
-Anne-Raphaëlle Audouin, President, WaterPower Canada
The Council
In 2015, a group of four industry associations together established the Canadian Council on Renewable Electricity to educate and engage Canadians about the opportunity to expand the production and use of renewable electricity across the country. An initiative of Canada’s leading, national renewable electricity associations, the Council will work to build public support for increased development of our abundant renewable electricity resources in order to further decarbonize North America’s energy system.
The founding members of the Council are WaterPower Canada, Marine Renewables Canada, Canadian Solar Industries Association (CanSIA), and the Canadian Wind Energy Association (CanWEA). CanWEA and CanSIA unified into the Canadian Renewable Energy Association on July 1, 2020.
“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 members of the Council are the WaterPower Canada, Canadian Renewable Energy Association, and Marine Renewables Canada.
To view detailed information on each of the Council members, select a link below.



“Solar energy, wind energy and energy storage are uniquely positioned to deliver clean, low-cost, reliable, flexible and scalable solutions for Canada’s energy needs.”
-Robert Hornung, President and CEO, Canadian Renewable Energy 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:

Hydro

Marine

Solar

Wind
Take a look at the latest initiatives as part of CanCORE’s commitment to a fully non-emitting electricity grid for Canada:
- Op-ed in the Corporate Knights: A renewable energy parade is waiting for Canada’s next prime minister
- Written Submission for the Pre-Budget Consultations in Advance of the 2022 Federal Budget
- Op-ed in the Corporate Knights: Electrification is key to jumpstarting Canada’s slumping economy
- Robert Hornung to lead the Canadian Renewable Energy Association – a new national voice for the wind, solar and energy storage industries.
- Resilient Recovery Campaign: CanCORE members asked the Canadian governments to commit to a recovery and resilience plan post-COVID-19.
- Op-ed in The Globe and Mail: Renewable energy should be the cornerstone of Canada’s net zero strategy
- Submission: Non-emitting Electricity and Why it Matters for Canada Addressing Climate Change
- Submission: Carbon Pricing Compliance
- Submission: Federal Carbon Pricing Backstop
- Submission: Federal GHG Emissions Regulations
- Testimony: House of Commons Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development