What We Do
Generating awareness in the industry
BRC-Canada is a community where buyers can learn how to source renewable energy directly from renewable energy project developers. Building on the successful experience of the Business Renewables Center in the U.S., BRC-Canada is a non-profit initiative seeking to catalyze the market for non-utility procurement in Canada to grow renewable energy development in the country.
Building a strong community
BRC-Canada makes it easier for corporations to enter the renewable energy market by sharing the hard-earned lessons of the early movers in the U.S. and Canada. We host BRCC-exclusive events to bring veteran renewable purchasers and deal-makers together with those exploring the opportunity.
Creating effective tools and services
We publish primers and guides on such topics as Power Purchase Agreement accounting and deal structures. We provide access to ongoing market intelligence through the Deal Tracker, annual reports, events and webinars, blogs, newsletters, and more. These tools help first-time buyers advance swiftly up the learning curve to make informed procurement decisions, and complete their deals faster, more easily, and more cost effectively.
The BRC Story
Business Renewables Centre-Canada launched in 2019 to work with industry experts to accelerate the uptake of renewable energy by the commercial and industrial sector.
Our Goal
To help corporations and institutions procure 10 gigawatts of renewable energy by 2030.
After five years of observing the success of the Business Renewables Centre in the U.S., BRC-Canada launched in 2019 with the goal of bringing together renewable energy buyers, sellers and intermediaries (counsel to help broker deals; e.g., lawyers, accountants) to execute large-scale wind and solar energy transactions. Our team, including leaders from BRC-Canada’s founding companies, realized there was an opportunity to provide community-based educational resources to simplify and accelerate the uptake of renewable energy in Canada.
To have the most impact, BRC-Canada decided to focus on Alberta’s deregulated energy market, where organizations can buy energy directly from sellers without going through a centralized utility. Since 2019, we have provided tools and resources to community participants seeking to reduce their emissions and meet organizational net-zero targets.
As a result, BRC-Canada’s community is behind the biggest growth in corporate renewable energy deals in Canada’s history. Deals announced since 2019 will support $3.75 billion of new construction by 2023, as well as nearly 4,500 new jobs. This growth is significant for Alberta’s economy and shows that our community participants are leaders in Canada’s renewable energy transition.
In May 2022, BRC-Canada passed the original goal of achieving two gigawatts of renewable energy almost three years earlier than expected. Our new goal is for corporations and institutions across Canada to purchase 10 GW of renewable energy by 2030.
By working with organizations to assist them in purchasing renewable energy, BRC-Canada has and will continue to play an important role in decarbonizing Canada’s energy grid and making it emissions-free by 2035.
Partners
Our Team
Jorden Dye
Director
Jorden is a strategic manager focused on accelerating the energy transition. Before joining BRC-Canada, Jorden worked at Mount Royal University's Institute for Environmental Sustainability. His work focused on industrial environmental disclosure, industry response to the energy transition, and scaling a Parks Canada initiative.
Carson Fong
Program Manager
Carson is a senior analyst with BRC-Canada. He previously worked at Morningstar Sustainalytics, focused on leveraging technology to support the growth of green bond second-party opinions and corporate ESG services. He also has experience in process optimization and mechanical design engineering across various sectors.
Margret Nellissery
Analyst
Margret is an analyst with BRC-Canada. She recently completed her master's degree in sustainable energy development from the University of Calgary. As a graduate student, she worked with the Government of the Northwest Territories to formulate a climate adaptation inventory focusing on strengthening the territory's energy and transportation system.
Hanneke Brooymans
Senior Communications Lead
Hanneke supports BRC-Canada’s strategic communications and brand management, while also keeping our community up to date on news and upcoming activities. She also ensures the accomplishments of the Centre and its participants reach the wider world. She previously worked as the Edmonton Journal’s environment beat reporter and then with the Alberta government on creative sentencing in environmental prosecutions.
Samantha Ward
Strategic Partnerships Lead
As Strategic Partnerships Lead, Sam works to grow and develop the BRCC community. Sam holds a bachelor's degree in English and history from the University of Ottawa. Outside of work, she enjoys scary movies, travelling and waiting very patiently for the TTC.
Shannon Ross
Community Coordinator
Shannon brings with her an array of skills in business operations support ranging from office management, strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, human resources and communications, as well as project management and data analysis. Prior to joining the Pembina Institute, Shannon focused her career on supporting vulnerable populations in educational settings, housing communities, health and wellness, and advocacy.
Advisory Board
Suha Jethalal
President
Bullfrog Power
Roslyn McMann
Director of Market Development
BluEarth Renewables
Jeremy Barretto
Partner
Cassels
Dan Balaban
CEO
Greengate Power
John Stewart
Senior Manager of Energy and Renewables
Starbucks
Joseph Bastien
Associate Director
SHARE
Julia-Maria Becker
Senior Manager of Sustainable Enterprise Operations
RBC
Jason Chee-Aloy
Managing Director
Power Advisory
Bruce Kolesnik
Senior Manager of Development
EDF Renewables
Gary Cook
Team Lead
City of Edmonton
Ron Dictor
Director of Energy and Environment
Marriott International
Patrick Leonard
Renewable Energy Procurement Manager
Amazon
Joan Hutchinson
Managing Director of Offtake Advisory
Marathon Capital
Stephen Cookson
Director of Development and Origination
RES Group
Ryan Laverty
Director of Energy Origination and Development
TC Energy
Geoff Pegg
Head of Sustainability and Environment
Telus
Mike Waller
Senior Director of Business Development
ATCO
Rafal Krzywicki
Director, Commodities Canada West
Capital Power Corporation
Special Advisors
Sara Hastings-Simon
Professor, University of Calgary Department of Physics and Astronomy
Dr. Sara Hastings-Simon directs the University of Calgary’s MSc in Sustainable Energy Development, is an expert panel member for Clean Growth with the Canadian Climate Choices Institute, sits on the boards of Emissions Reduction Alberta and the Pembina Institute, and is co-host of the Energy vs Climate podcast. As the previous director of Clean Economy for the Pembina Institute, Dr. Hastings-Simon was the founding director of BRC-Canada.
Mark Porter
Vice President of Programs, Clean Energy Buyers Association
Mark started working in the European renewable energy sector in 2007 and, after moving to Canada in 2010, has worked with renewable energy projects across the technology spectrum, and with all levels of government across the country. Mark is also a principal at Rocky Mountain Institute, a U.S.-based think tank dedicated to transforming global energy use, where he leads the BRC-China initiative.
Gold Participants
Silver Participants
Non-profit Participants
Partners
Join BRC-Canada
Community participation for renewable energy buyers, developers and intermediaries are available at silver and gold levels.