The Canadian Renewable Energy Association (CanREA) proudly announced the winners of the first-ever CanREA Awards tonight at the opening of Electricity Transformation Canada 2025, Canada's premier clean energy conference and exhibition. This new annual awards program celebrates exceptional projects and organizations that are demonstrating innovation, leadership and a deep commitment to advancing Canada's renewable energy and energy storage industries.
"Today, we celebrate the innovators, trailblazers, and changemakers who are driving Canada's clean energy transformation," said Vittoria Bellissimo, CanREA's President and CEO. "The winners of the inaugural CanREA Awards exemplify the leadership, ingenuity and commitment needed to build our electricity future. From groundbreaking projects to Indigenous-led excellence and behind-the-meter innovation, these honourees are setting the standard for what's possible in wind, solar and energy storage across Canada."
2025 CanREA Award winners
Innovative Canadian Clean Power Project of the Year
Hagersville Battery Energy Storage Park - by Six Nations of the Grand River Development Corporation & Boralex
Canada's largest battery storage project to date, the Hagersville Battery Energy Storage Park will add 300 MW of capacity to Ontario's grid, setting a new benchmark for large-scale storage and demonstrating the power of equitable Indigenous partnership.
"We are deeply grateful to CanREA for this recognition, which underscores the power of meaningful collaboration in driving Canada's clean energy future," said Matt Jamieson, President and CEO of Six Nations of the Grand River Development Corporation (SNGRDC). "SNGRDC and Boralex recognized the potential of battery energy storage early on and have harnessed it to deliver clean, reliable and lasting benefits to Ontario's energy grid. The Hagersville Battery Project offers only a glimpse of what is possible. This award affirms SNGRDC and Boralex as leaders in this field and will help catalyze new opportunities to expand this technology, keeping us at the forefront of innovation in 2026 and beyond."
Boralex President and CEO Patrick Decostre agreed: "We're honoured that the Hagersville Battery Energy Storage Park has been recognized by CanREA with the Innovative Canadian Clean Power Project of the Year award. This award reflects the strength of our long-standing partnership with the Six Nations of the Grand River Development Corporation and our shared commitment to advancing low-carbon, reliable and inclusive energy solutions. Together, we're demonstrating how collaboration and innovation can accelerate Canada's energy objectives while delivering lasting benefits to both local communities and the grid."
The Boralex and Six Nations of the Grand River Development Corporation teams, with CanREA President and CEO Vittoria Bellissimo (third from right).
Indigenous Clean Energy Company of the Year
Glooscap Energy
A trailblazing Mi'kmaq-owned company from Nova Scotia, Glooscap Energy is driving clean energy development through wind, solar and energy storage, while creating lasting economic and social benefits for Indigenous and host communities alike.
"This award shows what we can do when we work together," said Glooscap First Nation Chief Sidney Peters. "Glooscap First Nation is proud to lead clean energy projects in our community and to contribute to regional efforts with other Mi'kmaq Nations through the Wskijinu'k Mtmo'taqnuow Agency. Together, we honour the land and water and build opportunities that will benefit generations to come. This is the true strength of Indigenous leadership and partnership."
Left to right: Chief Sidney Peters, Glooscap First Nation; Montanna Labradore, Energy Coordinator at Glooscap Ventures; and Vittoria Bellissimo, President and CEO, Canadian Renewable Energy Association (CanREA).
Canadian On-Site (BTM) Project of the Year
Solar is Not an Option - by Jayman BUILT
This pioneering behind-the-meter initiative showcases how large-scale residential homebuilding can integrate solar generation and energy storage to dramatically reduce emissions and costs.
"We are honoured to be recognized by CanREA in their inaugural awards program celebrating innovation in Canada's solar industry," said Jay Westman, Chairman & CEO of Jayman BUILT. "At Jayman BUILT, sustainability isn't just a feature it's part of our DNA. From bringing the Built Green program to Canada in 2003 to making solar rough-ins standard in 2016, and now including 10 solar panels, tankless hot water heaters, triple-pane windows and more, on every single-family home we build, we're committed to reducing energy costs for homeowners while protecting the planet. We have even introduced our Path to Net Zero homes, with options for every budget that bring your home to net-zero certification. We are committed to creating smarter, more energy-efficient homes. It is embedded in everything we do it's the Jayman Code."
Left to right: Vittoria Bellissimo, President and CEO, Canadian Renewable Energy Association (CanREA); Conrad Holmberg, General Manager of Operations for Jayman BUILT; and David Vonesch, President and CEO of SkyFire Energy.
Recognizing the industry's best
The CanREA Awards were established to recognize and amplify the outstanding achievements of CanREA members and their project partners. Nominees for this first edition had the opportunity to be featured in CanREA promotional content, helping to showcase the talent and ingenuity driving Canada's renewable energy future.
CanREA encourages its members to watch for the call for nominees for the 2026 CanREA Awards, which will open in summer 2026.
If you're not already a CanREA member, join today to be part of Canada's growing community of clean energy leaders.
Quotes
"Today, we celebrate the innovators, trailblazers, and changemakers who are driving Canada's clean energy transformation," said Vittoria Bellissimo, CanREA's President and CEO. "The winners of the inaugural CanREA Awards exemplify the leadership, ingenuity, and commitment needed to build our electricity future. From groundbreaking projects to Indigenous-led excellence and behind-the-meter innovation, these honourees are setting the standard for what's possible in wind, solar and energy storage across Canada."
Vittoria Bellissimo, President and CEO, Canadian Renewable Energy Association (CanREA)
"We are deeply grateful to CanREA for this recognition, which underscores the power of meaningful collaboration in driving Canada's clean energy future. Six Nations of the Grand River Development Corporation (SNGRDC) and Boralex recognized the potential of battery energy storage early on and have harnessed it to deliver clean, reliable, and lasting benefits to Ontario's energy grid. The Hagersville Battery Project offers only a glimpse of what is possible. This award affirms SNGRDC and Boralex as leaders in this field and will help catalyze new opportunities to expand this technology, keeping us at the forefront of innovation in 2026 and beyond."
Matt Jamieson, President and CEO, Six Nations of the Grand River Development Corporation
"We're honoured that the Hagersville Battery Energy Storage Park has been recognized by CanREA with the Innovative Canadian Clean Power Project of the Year award. This award reflects the strength of our longstanding partnership with the Six Nations of the Grand River Development Corporation and our shared commitment to advancing low-carbon, reliable and inclusive energy solutions. Together, we're demonstrating how collaboration and innovation can accelerate Canada's energy objectives while delivering lasting benefits to both local communities and the grid."
Patrick Decostre, President and CEO, Boralex
"We are honoured to be recognized by CanREA in their inaugural awards program celebrating innovation in Canada's solar industry. At Jayman BUILT, sustainability isn't just a feature it's part of our DNA. From bringing the Built Green program to Canada in 2003 to making solar rough-ins standard in 2016, and now including 10 solar panels, tankless hot water heaters, triple-pane windows and more, on every single-family home we build, we're committed to reducing energy costs for homeowners while protecting the planet. We have even introduced our Path to Net Zero homes, with options for every budget that bring your home to net-zero certification. We are committed to creating smarter, more energy-efficient homes. It is embedded in everything we do it's the Jayman Code."
Jay Westman, Chairman & CEO, Jayman BUILT
"This award shows what we can do when we work together. Glooscap First Nation is proud to lead clean energy projects in our community and to contribute to regional efforts with other Mi'kmaq Nations through the Wskijinu'k Mtmo'taqnuow Agency. Together, we honour the land and water and build opportunities that will benefit generations to come. This is the true strength of Indigenous leadership and partnership."
Chief Sidney Peters, Glooscap First Nation
For media inquiries or interview opportunities, please contact:
Communications
Canadian Renewable Energy Association
communications@renewablesassociation.ca
About CanREA
The Canadian Renewable Energy Association (CanREA) is the voice for wind energy, solar energy and energy storage solutions that will power Canada's energy future. We work to create the conditions for a modern energy system through stakeholder advocacy and public engagement. Our diverse members are uniquely positioned to deliver clean, low-cost, reliable, flexible and scalable solutions for Canada's energy needs. For more information on how Canada can use wind energy, solar energy and energy storage to help achieve its net-zero commitments, consult Powering Canada's Journey to Net-Zero: CanREA's 2050 Vision. Follow us on Bluesky and LinkedIn here. Learn more at renewablesassociation.ca.
