Conference Program Overview

*will be updated regularly as speakers are confirmed 

Pre-Conference Activities: Monday, December 4, 2023

MRC Member Only Sessions
Following the success of last year’s Member Sessions, Marine Renewables Canada (MRC) is offering another opportunity for MRC members to attend pre-conference training and information sessions. These are designed to support members’ needs and business efforts, and will provide MRC members with knowledge, insight, and practical advice to assist with project planning and development, business development and growth, and relationship-building. MRC Member Sessions are complimentary with conference registration and exclusive to MRC members.

10:00 AM | Registration Opens

Location TBD

1:00 – 2:15 PM | Building the Marine Renewable Energy Workforce

As the renewable energy sector grows, so does the need for new skills and expertise. In fact, some studies suggest that 30 million jobs in renewable energy and energy efficiency must be created globally by 2025, with that number rising to 60 million by 2030. While this is great news from a job creation perspective, Canada will need to ensure its workforce has the skills and expertise required to build projects and remain competitive with other jurisdictions experiencing similar challenges. This session will provide insight on the challenges in building the marine renewable energy workforce and the national and global trends that may impact workforce development. It will also explore best practices for creating a diverse and inclusive workforce for the jobs of tomorrow.

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2.30 – 3:30 PM | Best practices and Strategies for Co-existence Amongst all Ocean Users  

Marine renewable energy is an emerging industry for Canada – and coexistence with other ocean users and uses is essential for this industry’s success. As the interest in marine renewables increases, it’s crucial for this industry to understand potential impacts, plan thoughtfully, and engage early with other oceans users. This session will highlight best practices for responsible development and co-existence, drawing on lessons learned and insight from other jurisdictions who have embarked on marine renewable energy development.

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 3:45 – 4:45 PM |  Legislative Deep Dive: Insight on the Accord Acts, Impact Assessment Act, and other Key Legislation

As Canada sets its sights on offshore wind, a critical first step is the establishment of a regulatory framework that will provide the predictability industry and investors need to scope projects and pursue development. A number of legislative and regulatory activities are underway to support future project development including amendments to the offshore Accord Acts (Bill C-49) and the establishment of Offshore Renewable Energy Regulations (ORER). This session will provide members with an understanding of these key pieces of legislation and how they will support the offshore renewables sector, as well as insight on the implications of recent legislative updates such as the Supreme Court of Canada opinion on the Impact Assessment Act.

Cox & Palmer Panel:

6:00 – 8:00 PM | Reception on Parliament Hill

* By invitation only to MRC members.

Day One: Tuesday, December 5, 2023

*Program sequence/sessions are subject to change until finalized. 

7:30 am | Registration Opens

9:00 am – 9:45 am | Opening & Welcome

9:45 am – 10:45 am  | Session 1: Building the Market: Pathways to Offtake

Marine renewable energy holds huge potential to contribute to Canada’s electricity mix, as well as the production of green fuels like hydrogen and ammonia. Successfully establishing markets and creating off-take opportunities is dependent on many different factors that are influenced by policy, costs, and technical constraints, to name a few. This opening session will explore routes to market for marine renewable energy projects and what’s possible in the near and long term.

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10:45 am – 11:15 am | Morning Refreshment Break

* Sponsored by COVE

11:15 am – 12:15 am | Session 2: Pursuing Canada’s Offshore Wind and Green Hydrogen Opportunities

Prospects for offshore wind and green hydrogen development in Canada have gained traction over the last couple of years, with interest across the country. During this panel, speakers will provide insight on industry activities currently underway, hurdles that need to be overcome, and how trends in the global market could impact Canadian project development.

Session Chair:

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12:15 pm – 2:00 pm | Networking Lunch

*Sponsored by Bourque Industrial

2:00 pm – 3:00 pm  | Session 3: Addressing Environmental Risk: Reducing Uncertainties of Tidal Energy Development

With tidal energy devices operating successfully in Canada and internationally, a remaining step to unlocking the potential of this resource is retiring risk of potential impacts to marine life and the environment. At this stage of industry development, few observations or data collection efforts point to devices or systems that are causing population-level impacts. However, there are still unknowns, and this has contributed to some of the regulatory barriers experienced by projects to date. This session will explore what is known about environmental effects of tidal energy, what’s been done to fulfill regulatory requirements and ensure responsible development, and what’s needed to address this remaining hurdle.

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3:00 pm – 3:30 pm | Afternoon Refreshment Break

*Sponsored by Baird

3:30 pm – 4:30 pm  | Session 4: Enabling Industry Growth: Updates on Policy and Regulatory Development

Supportive policies and a predictable regulatory path are crucial to the success of marine renewable energy development. During this session, government representatives will provide updates on policy and regulatory development that will help facilitate industry growth, as well as initiatives underway to address challenges and provide clear lines of sight for industry and investment.

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6:00 pm – 8:00 pm  | Welcome Reception

Join us for an evening of networking, hors d’oeuvres, and live music.

*This reception is included with conference registration and all conference delegates are encouraged to attend.

Day Two: Wednesday, December 6, 2023

*Program sequence/sessions are subject to change until finalized.

7:30 am  | Registration Opens

9:00 am – 9:15 am  | Welcome

9:15 am – 10:00 am  | Session 5: Fireside Chat – Embracing Marine Renewables in Indigenous and Remote Communities

Marine renewable energy has been increasingly recognized for its potential to displace diesel use in remote, coastal, and Indigenous communities. While this is still a fairly new technology option, some Indigenous communities in North America have embraced its potential and are moving forward with projects. During this armchair discussion, attendees will hear from Indigenous leaders who are collaborating with industry, academia, and others to harness the power of the waves, rivers, and tides.

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Panelists:

10:00 am – 10:30 am  | Morning Refreshment Break

*Sponsored by Moog-Focal

10:30 am – 11:15 am  | Fireside Chat

11:15 am – 12:30 pm  | Session 6: Seizing Canada’s Offshore Wind Opportunity: What will it take?

The emerging offshore wind opportunity in Atlantic Canada has caught the attention of the world. But, what’s needed to truly make it a reality? Are we on the right track? What are the risks and range of costs? And how can progress be accelerated by leveraging lessons learned from other industries as well as jurisdictions already developing offshore wind? This session will explore all of those questions and more with an aim to pinpoint some of the near-term priorities and actions needed to ensure sector growth.

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12:30 pm – 2:00 pm  | Networking Lunch

*Sponsored by SBM

2:00 pm – 3:15 pm  |  Session 7: Global Market Insights and Opportunities

The race to net zero has changed the global energy market, with investment in renewables increasing year after year. While the opportunity for marine renewable energy is growing, this growth can also present unique challenges. This session will provide updates on marine renewable energy development around the world, insight on key issues impacting the marine renewable energy sector, and perspectives on challenges and future market growth.

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3:15 pm  |  Conference Closing

5:00 pm – 7:00 pm   |  Post-Conference Mixer

Join us for an informal post-conference gathering at the Heart & Crown ByWard Market for one last opportunity to network with conference delegates in a relaxed and casual setting.

All conference delegates welcome – no RSVP required.