This week’s renewable energy update highlights measurable growth across Canada’s renewable operations sector, expanded national EV charging investment, and continued large-scale clean energy progress in California. Capacity expansion, infrastructure funding, and private capital investment remain key drivers of the energy transition across North America.
1. Canada’s Renewable Energy Operators Prepare for Unprecedented Industry Growth
Canada’s installed wind, solar, and energy storage capacity has reached approximately 25 gigawatts, representing a 56 percent increase since 2020, according to the Canadian Renewable Energy Association. This rapid growth reflects accelerating deployment across provinces and signals that the industry is moving into a new operational phase.
CanREA is currently tracking procurement opportunities for up to 24 gigawatts of new wind, solar, and storage projects over the next ten years. These opportunities represent approximately 44 billion dollars in potential investment. In addition, another 35 gigawatts of capacity is forecasted but has not yet been formally announced, indicating a substantial long-term development pipeline.
More than 350 professionals gathered at the largest ever CanREA Operators Summit to focus on operational excellence, workforce development, digital monitoring, and lifecycle management. As installed capacity grows, operator readiness becomes increasingly important to maintain system reliability, optimize performance, and support new project integration.
With tens of gigawatts expected to enter the grid over the next decade, operational maturity is emerging as a critical component of Canada’s renewable expansion strategy.
2. Canada Expands EV Charging Infrastructure with 1.5 Billion Dollar Investment
Canada is strengthening its electric vehicle charging network through expanded infrastructure funding supported by the Canada Infrastructure Bank’s 1.5 billion dollar Charging and Hydrogen Refuelling Infrastructure Initiative. This investment is designed to accelerate deployment of charging stations nationwide.
Canada currently has more than 30,000 publicly accessible EV chargers. New funding will support thousands of additional chargers along highways and within communities, improving accessibility for drivers in urban, rural, and remote areas.
Expanding the charging network reduces barriers to EV adoption and supports long-term transportation electrification goals. As renewable electricity generation increases, greater EV adoption strengthens the link between clean power production and cleaner transportation.
The scale of funding signals continued alignment between infrastructure investment and electrification strategy as Canada prepares for higher EV penetration in the coming years.
3. California Reaches Major Clean Energy Milestone as Renewables and Storage Expand
California is generating more than two-thirds of its electricity from clean sources, including solar, wind, hydro, geothermal, and battery storage. The state has become the world’s largest economy to reach periods of 100 percent clean electricity generation and has a long-term goal of achieving 100 percent clean electricity by 2045.
Battery storage continues to play a central role in supporting renewable integration by storing excess solar generation and delivering it during peak demand periods. Storage deployment has enabled California to increase renewable penetration while maintaining grid stability.
Private investment is also contributing to California’s clean energy growth. Octopus Energy Generation has announced the acquisition of a solar and battery project in California that aims to convert the state’s abundant sunshine into clean, low-cost electricity. The project is expected to become fully operational by July 2026 and will contribute additional renewable and storage capacity to the grid.
The combination of large-scale renewable generation, expanding storage capacity, and continued private investment reinforces California’s leadership in clean energy integration and demonstrates how renewable-rich systems can operate at scale.
Looking Ahead
Canada’s renewable capacity now stands at 25 gigawatts with substantial additional procurement underway. EV charging infrastructure is expanding through a 1.5 billion dollar national initiative. California continues to demonstrate high renewable penetration supported by battery storage and private sector investment.
These developments highlight continued momentum in renewable deployment, electrification infrastructure, and system-scale clean energy integration across North America.
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References
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Canadian Renewable Energy Association (CanREA) – Canada’s Renewable Energy Operators Demonstrate Readiness for Unprecedented Industry Growth at Largest Ever CanREA Operators Summit
https://renewablesassociation.ca/news-release-canadas-renewable-energy-operators-demonstrate-readiness-for-unprecedented-industry-growth-at-largest-ever-canrea-operators-summit/ -
Natural Resources Canada – Canada Advances New Auto Strategy by Expanding EV Charging Infrastructure Across the Country
https://www.canada.ca/en/natural-resources-canada/news/2026/02/canada-advances-new-auto-strategy-by-expanding-ev-charging-infrastructure-across-the-country.html -
AZoCleantech – Renewable Energy and Battery Storage Capacity Forecast to Dominate U.S. New Generation in 2026
https://www.azocleantech.com/news.aspx?newsID=36166
