Alberta's corporate renewable energy market collapses while Nova Scotia emerges as a national leader
MEDIA RELEASE
CALGARY — Corporate renewable energy procurement in Alberta has virtually disappeared, with deals plummeting 99% from 2023 levels, according to Business Renewables Centre-Canada's (BRC-Canada) annual Renewables in Review report released today. Meanwhile, Nova Scotia has emerged as Canada's most active market for corporate clean energy deals, marking the first time a province outside Alberta has led in annual procurement.
The report, which tracks corporate renewable energy power purchase agreements (PPAs) across Canada, reveals that only one deal was publicly announced in Alberta throughout 2025, a stark contrast to the province's historical dominance as the country's leading corporate renewables market. The sole deal came from the carbon dioxide removal sector, signaling new sources of demand even as traditional buyers remain sidelined.
"Alberta's renewable energy market remains stalled," said Jorden Dye, Director of BRC-Canada. "Three years of ongoing policy uncertainty, spanning market design, transmission access and carbon pricing, have frozen the commercial transactions that previously drove billions in clean energy investment."
Nova Scotia's Green Choice Program delivered 262 MW of new wind capacity in 2025, with all projects co-owned by Mi'kmaw communities. The program's 11 participating buyers include both public institutions and private corporations, demonstrating the province's successful model for enabling corporate renewable procurement.
The report identifies three major areas of policy reform creating ongoing uncertainty for Alberta's market: the Restructured Energy Market (REM), which will weaken revenue opportunities while applying new regulatory costs; transmission policy reform that overhauls Alberta's long-standing compact with generators around market access; and changes to the TIER carbon pricing system, including a frozen carbon price and new compliance pathways that undermine renewable credit demand.
"Corporate buyers have demonstrated they're ready to invest in Canadian clean energy when clear pathways exist," added Jorden Dye. "Nova Scotia's success proves that well-designed provincial programs can unlock significant private sector demand. We need Alberta to restore the policy certainty that made it a renewable energy leader."
Background
Report: Renewables in Review 2025
Statistics: See our Deal Tracker for quarterly updates on community benefits