What role can our oceans, tides, waves, and rivers play in building Canada’s clean energy future? 

Join Marine Renewables Canada for a webinar diving into the Marine Renewable Energy Sector Vision 2050, and the actions needed to turn this vision into reality. From large-scale offshore wind and tidal developments to community-scale tidal, wave, and river-current projects, you’ll gain insight into how this emerging sector fits within Canada’s broader clean energy transition, helping to meet rising electricity demand, strengthen energy security, and support sustainable economic growth from coast to coast to coast. 

In this session, Marine Renewables Canada team members will highlight the Vision’s key goals for 2030, 2040, and 2050, along with recommendations to translate the Vision into action. Following the presentation, hear from sector champions in a panel discussion as they reflect on the Vision and the enabling conditions required to achieve it, including policy leadership, investment certainty, infrastructure, and meaningful partnerships with Indigenous and coastal communities. 

Whether you’re new to marine renewables or already working in the energy space, this webinar will provide a clear overview of the role marine renewable energy can play in Canada’s clean energy future and what’s needed to move it forward. 

Date: March 4

Time: 1:30 – 2:30 pm AT

Location: Virtual

Meet the Speakers 

Riley Richardson is a Project Manager at PRIMED, where he oversees a diverse portfolio of marine renewable energy projects and manages engagement with external stakeholders. His involvement in projects ranging from resource assessments and feasibility studies to full project buildouts, has provided him with a breadth of perspective on the marine renewable energy landscape in BC. Riley conducts research on various topics including GIS spatial analysis, economic assessments, and regulatory/policy recommendations.

Dawn MacDonald is a seasoned energy professional with more than 25 years of experience in project development, technical strategy, and investment evaluation across the global renewables sector. With strong Atlantic Canadian roots, she is passionate about advancing sustainable economic opportunities in coastal regions, where offshore wind can strengthen community resilience and long-term prosperity.

As Global Energy Infrastructure Lead at AECOM, Dawn leads strategic market initiatives and supports multidisciplinary teams delivering offshore wind projects worldwide.

Over the past decade, she has contributed to more than 3 GW of European offshore wind capacity. Her expertise includes competitive strategy, financial modeling support, risk management, EPCI contractor selection, and environmental assessment. She has served as a shareholder’s representative and committee or board member on projects including Saint-Nazaire Offshore Wind Farm, Fécamp Offshore Wind Farm, Rampion Offshore Wind Farm, and Hohe See Offshore Wind Farm.

Dawn holds a BSc in Industrial Engineering from the University of Manitoba and an MBA from the University of Calgary.

Lindsay Bennett is the executive director of FORCE, Canada’s leading tidal energy research facility. She works to advance tidal energy as a shared priority for Nova Scotia and Canada by showcasing the Bay of Fundy’s potential and building partnerships across industry, government, Rights Holders, communities, and academia. With a background in environmental management and organizational leadership, she has spent the past decade advancing clean energy solutions that deliver economic and climate benefits.