Agenda
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Pre-Conference Workshops
October 28, 2026
Day 1 – Main Conference
October 29, 2026
Opening Remarks from Canadian Institute
KEYNOTE
Neil Vande BunteDirector, Investment Attraction – Technology & InnovationInvest Alberta
Matthew O’ReganManager, Energy ManagementPembina Pipeline Corporation
Kent McMullinSenior Investment Attraction Officer, Economic Innovation & GrowthSturgeon County
Jeffrey GossainExecutive Director, Head of CanadaBW Velora
Bill GillilandPartnerDentons Canada LLP
Data centre development presents a tremendous economic opportunity for Alberta’s future. However, due to AI’s energy intensive nature, managing grid reliability and lowering emissions will be key to the long-term success of AI data centres. Topics of discussion will include:
- Assessing the role of Alberta’s deregulated electricity market to provide off-grid power generation for natural gas, geothermal energy, and battery storage
- Discussing Alberta’s plans for securing power capacity, sustainable cooling methods, and driving economic growth
- Examining the impacts of Meta’s $13B data centre and other and projects under construction
- Analyzing the benefits and load requirements of edge data centres vs. hyperscalers
Networking Break and Refreshments
Andrew MartinAssociate Director, Energy AnalyticsEPCOR
Scott McCreaSenior Vice PresidentENMAX Energy
Kevin ThompsonSenior Manager, Government & Regulatory AffairsDirect Energy
Justin RiemerChief Executive OfficerEmissions Reduction Alberta
Leaders from Alberta’s largest power producers and utility providers will share their insights on the state of Alberta’s energy market, the Restructured Energy Market Initiative, AI data centres, and more during this insightful and engaging session. Topics of discussion will include:
- Managing power prices and consumer expectations
- Assessing data centre development and its impact on energy demand and consumption
- Reviewing policy and regulatory frameworks for opportunities to streamline efficiency
- Debating how changes to the REM have affected the retail market
Tristan WalkerExecutiveMassif Energy
This session will provide a practical look at how Indigenous Nations are leading utility-scale renewables and microgrids in Alberta. With mega-watt solar projects such as the Tilley Project and Tsuut’ina Chief Big Belly Solar Project nearing completion, the future is very bright for Indigenous-led energy projects in Alberta.
Topics of discussion will include:
- Assessing how projects align with community priorities and grid needs
- Reviewing effective partnership models and the essential components for bankability
- Building capacity and creating economic opportunities for Indigenous communities
Networking Lunch
Sponsored by
Leanne KubiseskiManager, InnovationFortisAlberta
Jesse RowExecutive DirectorAlberta Energy Efficiency Alliance
Networking Break and Refreshments
Dr. Kent FellowsAssociate Professor of Economics and the Director of Graduate ProgramsUniversity of Calgary’s School of Public Policy
Isobel O’ConnellStrategic PartnerMETAGNOSIS Consulting Inc
Robert Baker P.Eng.Program Director, ElectricityAlberta Innovates
A 2025 study indicated that doubling the capacity of the BC-Alberta interconnection could yield $1.7 billion in net benefits to 2050. With power prices already very affordable in Alberta’s utilities market, the Alberta government has asked AESO to reenergize the BC and Saskatchewan inter-ties to incentivize producers to export power to other provinces and to import power to maintain affordability. Natural Resource Canada is also supporting multiple intertie projects in Western Canada through its’ $4.5 billion Smart Renewables and Electrification Pathways Program (SREP). Topics of discussion will include:
- Enhancing resiliency by pooling resources to offset shortages during peaks, outages, or extreme weather
- Delivering long-term savings by reducing the need to build redundant infrastructure to meet each province or territory’s peak demand.
- Providing the dependable electricity supply needed to attract capital-intensive industries including petrochemicals and artificial intelligence
- Reducing emissions naturally by expanding the energy options available
Day One Closing Remarks and Conference Adjourns until Day 2
Day 2 – Main Conference
October 30, 2026
Registration and Continental Breakfast
Networking Break and Refreshments
Emma DizonProgram Manager for Western CanadaClean Prosperity
Melissa MenziesDirector, Sustainable FinanceScotiabank
Dr. Gabriela SilvaManager, SustainabilityTransAlta Corporation
Bill WhitelawExecutive DirectorRextag
In its’ World Energy Outlook 2025, The International Energy Agency (IEA) projects that by 2050, global electricity consumption will increase between 78-102% across a range of potential future scenarios. Recognizing the need to increase Canada’s energy competitiveness, Canada’s new federal strategy aims to double Canada’s electricity system infrastructure by 2050 as major economies take decisive steps to strengthen their energy systems. Topics of discussion will include:
- Managing Canada’s increasing power demand while modernizing the system
- Scaling the electric system while preserving affordability for businesses and households.
- Building new infrastructure to double Canada’s electricity supply by 2050 and meet growing demand
- Accelerating electrification across the economy to support competitiveness and address climate change
Katie KachurVice President, Government Relations WestCanadian Propane Association
Networking Luncheon
Heather MacKenzieExecutive DirectorSolar Alberta
Janice RedmondChapter Leader, CalgaryWomen in Renewable Energy (WiRE)
Director, Business Development
Volta
Kristina SweetVice PresidentKorkia, Canada
Stephanie WoodChief Operating OfficerGreen Cat Renewables Canada Corporation
Cabrini DelCorroUpstream Business Development & Origination AdvisorCenovus Energy
Although data centres are occupying most power headlines, renewable energy is still playing an important role in Alberta’s energy mix with most of the generation coming from wind, solar, and biomass. Energy storage is showing tremendous promise with up to 180 more megawatts of capacity planned to be under construction in the near term. Topics of discussion will include:
- Examining the state of renewable energy in Alberta and the regulatory framework required to advance renewable technologies
- Discussing how nuclear power could be integrated into Alberta’s energy mix to provide reliable baseload power and reduce emissions
- Reviewing insights from behind the meter power and storage projects from other provinces
Networking Break and Refreshments
Dani HansenVice President, Environmental Commodities Sales & StructuringBMO Capital Markets
Madison SavilowDirector of MarketingCarbon Upcycling Technologies
Janice TranChief Executive OfficerKanin Energy
David VoneschPresident and CEOSkyFire Energy Inc.
Catie O’NealDirector of Western CanadaCarbon Removal Canada
Revisions to the national industrial carbon price are creating uncertainty for clean energy project developers and investors. With the new headline price now projected to reach $130 a tonne by 2040 compared to the previous projected rate of $170 a tonne by 2030, emissions-reduction projects are facing unexpected financial challenges. Topics of discussion will include:
- Assessing how the compliance market may support emissions-reduction technologies
- Addressing how oversupply issues in the carbon market are disincentivizing emissions reductions
- Debating the likelihood of provincial and federal governments guaranteeing a price for carbon credits.
- Creating a dedicated demonstration fund for bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) and other shovel-ready carbon removal solutions
Daria ProkopenkoResearch Technologist – Centre for Grid Innovation (CGI)Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT)
As Alberta’s electricity grid continues to evolve to meet the province’s increased energy demands from electrification, artificial intelligence, and industrial manufacturing, bridging innovators together and integrating their Grid-Enhancing Technologies (GETs) into the energy grid will be important for Alberta’s energy future. However, determining who owns the innovation, and creating greater public awareness regarding some of the innovations that utilities are involved in are significant challenges to expanding grid capacity. Topics of discussion will include:
- Examining why are we still struggling to deploy technologies that already exist
- Implementing smart grid technologies and tools to leverage grid resources effectively and efficiently
- Unlocking distributed energy resources (DERs) to manage grid-edge capacity
- Deploying grid-independent solutions to provide resilience during infrastructure upgrades or outages