The Canadian Renewable Energy Association (CanREA) is pleased to release a new, five-year industry data report announcing that Canada's wind, solar and energy-storage sectors have grown by 46% in the last five years, with a new installed capacity of more than 24 GW at the end of 2024.
CanREA released the report on January 30, 2025, as part of its five-year anniversary celebrations. Since the Association was launched in 2020, the industry increased its installed capacity by nearly 7.6 GW. This total includes more than 4.7 GW of new utility-scale wind, nearly 2 GW of new utility-scale solar, more than 600 MW of new on-site solar, and more than 200 MW of new energy storage.
"Canada's wind, solar and energy storage industry grew impressively over the past five years and we expect to see significantly more growth in the next five years," said Vittoria Bellissimo, CanREA's President and CEO. "But this is not nearly enough. Canada has massive, untapped wind and solar resources that can and should be harnessed to provide the affordable, clean, scalable electricity needed in all jurisdictions."
In total, Canadian jurisdictions can expect to connect at least 10,000 MW of new wind, solar and storage by the start of 2030, according to CanREA's Clean Energy Procurement Calendar.
CanREA is also tracking another 5,000 MW that will come into service beyond that time frame, for a grand total of more than 15,000 MW of procurements that are either currently underway or being planned across the country. This represents more than $30B in investment.
"This investment is crucial in establishing resilient, sustainable infrastructure that can support Canada's economic and environmental ambitions," said Bellissimo.
"We have been calling on all provinces and territories to increase the pace of buildout in their jurisdictions, and we are pleased to see that many have answered the call. That said, we can do so much more. Every new wind, solar, and energy storage project brings us closer to a cleaner energy mix and a decarbonized grid," said Bellissimo.
Facts at a glance
- Canada's total wind, solar and storage installed capacity grew 46% in the past 5 years (2019-2024), including nearly 5 GW of new wind, 2 GW of new utility-scale solar, 600 MW of new on-site solar, and 200 MW of new energy storage.
- Canada's solar energy capacity (utility-scale and onsite) grew 92% in the past 5 years (2019-2024).
- Canada's wind energy capacity grew 35% in the past 5 years (2019-2024).
- Canada's energy storage capacity grew 192% in the past 5 years (2019-2024).
- Canada's total wind, solar and storage installed capacity is now more than 24 GW, including over 18 GW of wind, more than 4 GW of utility-scale solar, 1+ GW on-site solar, and 330 MW energy storage.
- Canada now has 341 wind energy projects producing power across the country.
- Canada now has 217 major solar energy projects producing power across the country.
- There are now nearly 96,000 onsite solar energy installations across Canada.
For more facts at a glance, see CanREA's "By the Numbers" webpage.
For more information
To download a summary of CanREA's latest industry data, visit CanREA's "By the Numbers" webpage. CanREA members have access to a more detailed report on the members-only side of the website.
Quotes
"Canada's wind, solar and energy storage industry grew impressively over the past five years and we expect to see significantly more growth in the next five years but this is not nearly enough. Canada has massive, untapped wind and solar resources that can and should be harnessed to provide the affordable, clean, scalable electricity needed in all jurisdictions."
"This investment is crucial in establishing resilient, sustainable infrastructure that can support Canada's economic and environmental ambitions, driving progress toward a net-zero future."
"We have been calling on all provinces and territories to increase the pace of buildout in their jurisdictions, and we are pleased to see that many have answered the call. That said, we can do so much more. Every new wind, solar, and energy storage project brings us closer to a cleaner energy mix and a decarbonized grid."
Vittoria Bellissimo, President and CEO, Canadian Renewable Energy Association
For media interview opportunities, please contact:
Bridget Wayland, Senior Director of 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 X and LinkedIn. Subscribe to our newsletter here. Become a member here. Learn more at renewablesassociation.ca.
