Green Power in Canada Workshop Series
October 2003 - April 2004

Workshop #1: Green Power in Canada - Status and Developments (October 2003)

Workshop #2: Green Power in Canada - Technology Development and Resource Opportunities (November 2003)

Workshop #3: Creating Markets for Investments in Green Power (December 2003)

Workshop #4: National and International Policy Incentives for Green Power Development (February 9-10, 2004)

Workshop #5: Next Steps: A Vision and Strategy for Green Power in Canada (April 3, 2004)

Workshops highlighted regional energy supplies and perspectives and introduced major themes and important considerations for discussion.  Each workshop brought together government, industry, non-governmental representatives, and other key stakeholders to build a vision and strategy for green power development in Canada.

The methodology for achieving the workshop series objectives  included a combination of research, facilitation, keynote presentations, dynamic workshops, idea synthesis and feedback.  The workshops were sequential, each one building upon the knowledge and experience gained in previous sessions.

Workshops were held in five jurisdictions across Canada: one in eastern Canada (i.e., Halifax), two in central Canada (i.e., Montreal and Toronto), and two in western Canada (i.e., Calgary and Vancouver).   

Participation in each workshop was by invitation.  A mix of national and regional participants were included. The purpose of the workshops was to provide a forum for rich and diverse discussion with the following general balance sought:

•  5 - 10 scientists/academics;
• 15 - 20 investors/developers;
• 10 - 15 policy experts (including NGOs and government); and
• 15 - 20 marketers/retailers.

For purposes of continuity, individuals were invited to participate in each workshop. 

This workshop provided an overview of low impact renewable energy in Canada, outlined perceived barriers to development, and introduced subsequent topics for exploration.  Dialogue focused on the needs and perspectives of developers, investors and governments.

Location & Timing: Halifax, Nova Scotia, October 1, 2003

Opening dialogues on:

• The Needs and Perspectives of Developers and Investors

• The Needs and Perspectives of Governments

• Building Public Awareness of Green Power

Workshop #1: Current Status and Challenges

Agenda (includes links to Speaker Presentations)

Backgrounder Paper (September 29, 2003)

Sponsors

Workshop #2: Green Power in Canada - 
Technology Development and Resource Opportunities

Objective: 

This workshop will review the state of low-impact renewable energy technologies worldwide and the feasibility of application to the Canadian market.  The regional potential for implementation will be examined, along with key development requirements (e.g., resource mapping, grid access), to identify the most applicable technologies and the support infrastructure needed for successful development. 

Location & Timing: Montreal, Quebec, November 3 & 4, 2003

Breakout Sessions:

• Renewable Resource Assessment and the Potential Development of New and Existing Technologies

• Infrastructure Requirements to Promote Green Power Development

Workshop #2: Technology Development and Resource Opportunities

Agenda - (includes links to speaker presentations)

Backgrounder Paper

Sponsors

Workshop #3: Creating Markets for Investments
 in Green Power

Objective: 

This workshop will examine the key market drivers for green power in Canada , including costs of traditional energy sources, costs of green power, and existing government incentive programs designed to overcome market barriers.  Regulatory and voluntary incentives, consumer choice programs and greenhouse gas emission offsets will be among the areas examined to identify the most effective incentives to encourage investment and uptake of green power.  Discussion will evolve around the challenge of combining emerging market mechanisms and pricing strategies.

Location & Timing: Westin Harbour Castle, Toronto, Ontario, December 8 & 9, 2003

Breakout Sessions: 

• Costs, Pricing and Market Drivers for Green Power

• Incentive Structures and Approaches to Bridge the Price Gap

• Emissions Reduction Credits and Trading – Emerging Market Mechanisms

Workshop #3: Creating Markets for Investments in Green Power

Agenda (includes links to speaker presentations)

Backgrounder Paper

Joint Briefing Note on Renewable Energy Priorities for Ontario (October 2003)

Sponsors

Workshop #4: National and International Policy 
Incentives for Green Power Development

Objective: 

This workshop will look in-depth at Canadian and international policies and regulatory and market incentives that support green power development.  Recent developments in Canada will be compared and contrasted with policy/incentive advancements in the United States and Europe , with careful consideration given to regional energy profiles.  The harmonization of provincial and national incentives in promoting green power will be examined, with an eye towards determining the most effective combination of voluntary, regulatory and financial incentive policies for Canada .

Location & Timing: Calgary, Alberta, February 9-10, 2004

Breakout Sessions:

• Green Power and the Provinces: Utilities, Corporate Initiatives and Regional Priorities  

• Voluntary, Regulatory and Economic Incentives

• Towards a Green Power Vision and Strategy for Canada

Workshop #4: National and International Policy Incentives for Green Power Development

Workshop #4 - Agenda (includes links to speaker presentations)

Backgrounder Paper

Sponsors

Workshop #5: Next Steps – A Vision and Strategy 
for Green Power in Canada

Objective: 

The final workshop will provide a synthesis of the materials provided in the previous workshops and focus on the elements, mechanisms and approaches for a shared vision and strategy to develop green power in Canada.