Canadian Renewable Energy Associations to Collaborate on Annual Events. Joint Promotion and Marketing Efforts to Benefit Industry Members

Toronto, ONTARIO – October 16, 2012 – A coalition of Canada’s leading renewable energy associations announced today they will increase their collaboration in jointly marketing each other’s annual events to provide greater educational, networking and business development opportunities in Canada’s rapidly growing renewable energy industry. In an increasingly competitive events marketplace, these events are uniquely positioned to completely re-invest all net proceeds back into the very important policy, communications and advocacy work being conducted by these associations to advance renewable energy in Canada.

Joining CanWEA in this national coalition includes the following organizations:

• Association Québécoise de la Production d'énergie Renouvelable (AQPER)

• Biogas Association

• Canadian Solar Industries Association (CanSIA)

• Canadian Wind Energy Association (CanWEA)

• Clean Energy British Columbia

• Ontario Waterpower Association (OWA)

• TechnoCentre éolien

• The Maritimes Energy Association

“Renewable energy involves many sectors and players. The announcement of a joint effort is very good news for those of us working to modernize the power system,” said Jean-François Samray, CEO of AQPER. “The partnership will offer global training sessions and conferences from coast to coast in all sectors, in English and in French.”

“The Biogas Association sees mutual benefits created by way of this initiative to support its renewable energy association partners,” said Jennifer Green, president of the Biogas Association. ”This is a positive step forward for the renewable energy sector that can only draw greater recognition to important policy and valuable communication efforts on behalf of the collective memberships. The Biogas Association will be hosting a Biogas Forum and Tours in Ottawa on March 26th -27th, 2013 where we look forward to seeing many of you.”

“Our members recognize and understand that support for our events is important for the renewable energy industry because every dollar invested in these events is reinvested on their behalf to advance good policy and open new markets for their businesses in Canada,” said John Gorman, president of CanSIA.”

“We are looking forward to working with national and provincial association partners from coast-to-coast to jointly promote and build upon our successful tradition of high quality annual events programming that provides direct support to our efforts to grow the renewable energy business in Canada,” said Robert Hornung, president of CanWEA. “Greater cross-promotion and collaboration on educational programming will help the entire renewables industry move forward with a stronger voice and increased impact.”

“Working together as industry associations only makes sense to help raise the level of understanding about energy and electricity issues in Canada today,” said Paul Kariya, Executive Director of Clean Energy British Columbia. “There are many cross cutting issues and challenges we can work on together to further advancement of the clean energy sector.”

"The OWA values the positive and productive working relationships we have with other leading renewable energy associations and we look forward to collaborating with and supporting our partners in this joint initiative”, said Paul Norris, President of the OWA. “The OWA’s annual Power of Water Canada conference will be held on October 21-23 in Niagara-on-the-Lake and will again feature a panel discussion amongst these renewable energy leaders.”

"We are pleased to support and be part of this coalition of associations promoting renewable energy. We have demonstrated our ability to organize world-class events in Canada, and are constantly striving to help the businesses in this industry develop and reach new peaks," declared Frédéric Côté, General Manager of the Wind Energy TechnoCentre.

“A co-operative approach benefits all our members and helps our associations provide better service to our companies and businesses,” said Barbara Pike, Executive Director of The Maritimes Energy Association. “This collaborative and cooperative partnership means that together we can help each other advance Canadian renewables for Canadians.”