Centre for Clean Energy & Electrification
Advancing Canada’s prosperity and national competitiveness through clean energy and electrification.
Canada’s clean energy transition is no longer constrained by technology alone. Its success will depend on effective governance, capital deployment, grid infrastructure, regulatory alignment, interprovincial coordination, Indigenous partnership and execution capacity. The BSIA's Centre for Clean Energy & Electrification is a national industry and policy leadership platform dedicated to turning clean energy ambition into executable national strategy. The Centre convenes senior leaders from industry, government, utilities, Indigenous communities, finance, academia and civil society to advance the policy, investment and implementation pathways required for a reliable, affordable, secure and low-carbon electrified Canadian economy.
Mission
The Centre serves as a national platform for advancing the policy, governance, investment, and implementation pathways required to accelerate Canada's transition to a reliable, affordable, secure, and low-carbon electrified energy system. The Centre will convene senior leaders from industry, government, utilities, academia, Indigenous communities, finance, and civil society to develop actionable strategies that move Canada from clean energy ambition to executable national energy transformation.
Strategic Focus Areas of the Centre
Canada's energy system is entering a period of structural transformation. Electrification of transportation, buildings, industry, data infrastructure, and clean manufacturing will require major expansion and modernization of electricity generation, transmission, distribution, storage, market design, and regulatory frameworks.
At the same time, the clean energy transition has become inseparable from national security, industrial policy, competitiveness, critical minerals, supply chains, energy affordability, cyber resilience, data sovereignty, public trust, and Indigenous partnership. These issues are not purely technical; they require policy coherence, capital mobilization, and institutional coordination.
The BSIA brings its comparative advantage in public policy research and global governance to convene Canada's thought leadership in governance, international affairs, public policy analysis, executive dialogue, and the ability to connect complex global and domestic issues to shape practical decisions.
The Centre's purpose is to help Canada move from clean energy ambition to executable electrification combining the analytical strength of STEM disciplines with policy design, investment mobilization, market structure, infrastructure planning, national security, industrial competitiveness, and implementation capability.
- Electrification and Grid Transformation
Generation, transmission, distribution, interprovincial interties, demand growth, reliability, resilience, and grid modernization. - Energy Security and National Competitiveness
Electricity as critical infrastructure, supply chains, critical minerals, data infrastructure, cybersecurity, and industrial competitiveness. - Clean Energy Infrastructure and Investment Mobilization
Procurement design, regulatory reform, financing models, Indigenous equity, public-private partnerships, pension capital, and government-backed investment tools. - Technology Integration and Systems Innovation
Storage, renewables, advanced grid technologies, AI-enabled energy systems, demand flexibility, and other emerging technologies. - Executive Forum and Applied Policy Labs
CEO roundtables, senior policy dialogues, focused working groups, and short-cycle studies.
Signature Activities
- Annual Canada Clean Energy, Electrification, and Energy Security Forum
An annual convening of CEOs, senior policymakers, utilities, investors, Indigenous leaders and energy experts focused on implementable national priorities. - Canada Electrification Roadmap Series
Applied analyses of the infrastructure, policy, investment and regulatory pathways required to electrify Canada’s economy. - Clean Energy Governance and Readiness Index
A comparative assessment of provincial and national readiness for clean energy investment, grid modernization and major-project execution. - Executive Briefing Series
Short, decision-grade publications addressing immediate challenges facing governments, industry leaders, utilities and investors. - Applied Policy Labs
Invitation-only working groups focused on practical solutions in areas such as transmission development, storage market design, interprovincial electricity trade, industrial electrification and Indigenous equity participation. - Student and Talent Platform
Applied research, fellowship and engagement opportunities connecting emerging talent with real-world clean energy and electrification challenges.
Inaugural Advisory Forum
The Centre will be guided by a distinguished Advisory Forum comprising senior leaders from industry, government, utilities, finance, Indigenous organizations, academia and civil society. Forum members will help shape priority initiatives, strengthen external engagement and support the translation of research into actionable national strategies.
(TBC) André Bernier
Director General, Natural Resources Canada
(TBC) Kankar Bhattacharya
Professor and Chair, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Waterloo
(TBC) Allan Danroth
CEO, Manitoba Hydro
(TBC) Chuck Farmer
Vice-President of Power System Development, Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO)
(TBC) David James
Deputy Minister, Alberta Ministry of Affordability and Utilities
(TBC) Jim Reid
EVP, Sustainability and Chief Legal Officer, Fortis Inc.
(TBC) Jim Sarvinis
Global Managing Director, Energy, Hatch Ltd.
Centre Publications
TransCanada Power Corridor: A National Grid Uniting Canada
Jatin Nathwani, Kam Mofid, and Georgia Goodwin
Date: November 20, 2025
Essentials of the TransCanada Power Corridor: A National Grid Uniting Canada
Jatin Nathwani, Kam Mofid, and Georgia Goodwin
Date: November 7, 2025
Insights, Policy Developments and Media
Electrifying Canada is a path to national prosperity
The Hill Times
Date: May 26, 2026
Prime Minister Carney announces forthcoming National Electricity Strategy
Prime Minister of Canada
Date: May 14, 2026
Powering Canada Strong: A National Strategy for an Electrified Canadian Economy
Natural Resources Canada
Date: May 2026
The TransCanada Power Corridor: A National Grid for a National Purpose
TheFutureEconomy.ca
Date: January 12, 2026
Engage with the Centre
The Centre welcomes engagement from senior leaders, policymakers, utilities, Indigenous communities, investors, academic experts and organizations committed to accelerating Canada’s clean energy and electrification future.