Marine Renewables Canada

MRC Global Updates Webinar Series | Webinar 1
2026-01-21 13:00 - 14:00 (America/Halifax) | Virtual
As global marine renewable energy markets expand, Canadian companies are increasingly well-positioned to support projects around the world. Most notably, the offshore wind sector has become one of the fastest growing energy markets in the world. To date, member companies have successfully engaged in international offshore wind (OSW), tidal, wave, and river current energy, and MRC aims to continue fostering and facilitating these opportunities for trade and export.
The MRC Global Updates Webinar Series, exclusive to MRC members, is designed to provide market intelligence on established and key emerging markets across offshore wind and other marine renewable energy industries. Each session highlights where opportunities are emerging and how Canadian companies can participate.
In this first webinar, Sean Whittaker, Lead of the World Bank Offshore Wind Development Program, will provide an overview of the global offshore wind industry, highlight activity in established markets, and outline growth trends in key emerging markets, including Brazil, Colombia, the Philippines, India, and Romania. He will also identify where opportunities exist for Canadian value and supply chain providers to diversify and engage in these markets.
Meet the Speaker 👇
Sean Whittaker is a mechanical engineer and co-founder of the World Bank’s Offshore Wind Development Program. This Program, founded in 2019, has helped accelerate the uptake of offshore wind in over 25 developing countries, including Vietnam, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, India, Brazil, Colombia, and South Africa. He is also the co-founder of the Bank’s Scaling Wind program which develops utility-scale onshore wind projects in developing countries, including Barbados, Ivory Coast, Mozambique, and Mongolia. Prior to joining the World Bank Group in 2011, Sean served as Vice-President of the Canadian Wind Energy Association. He started his career in wind in 1993, spending five years in Madagascar designing, building, and installing windmills for rural irrigation projects.
Date: January 21, 2026Time: 1:00 – 2:00 pm ATLocation: Virtual

** Exclusive to MRC members

A Marine Renewables Canada Vision to 2050 – Powering Our Clean Energy Future
2026-03-04 13:30 - 14:30 (America/Halifax) | Virtual
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 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. 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.

Webinar Series | Data for Decision-Making: Offshore Wind Energy Areas and Geoscience Survey Results
2026-03-10 11:00 - 2026-03-12 12:30 (America/Halifax) | Virtual
Inside the Geoscience Guiding Offshore Wind Development
As offshore wind development continues to progress in Atlantic Canada, access to reliable, high-quality marine data and interpretations play an important role in supporting informed decision-making. This webinar series brings together experts from the Geological Survey of Canada to share insights into the marine geoscience data being used to understand seabed conditions to reduce uncertainty in early project planning.
Across three sessions, speakers will explore how seabed geology, sediment characteristics, geohazards, sediment mobility, and bedrock are assessed in the priority offshore wind energy areas. Each webinar will spotlight one area – Middle Bank, French Bank, or Sydney Bight – with a short regional overview in every session to connect site-specific findings to the broader Atlantic Canadian offshore wind landscape.
Participants will gain insight into:

What marine geoscience data exists today and how it is collected

How desktop studies and field campaigns inform early-stage site screening

Key seabed conditions and constraints relevant to offshore wind infrastructure

How new data releases and ongoing surveys can be accessed and used

This series is designed for developers, regulators, consultants, researchers, Indigenous and coastal community representatives, and others seeking a clearer understanding of how marine geoscience supports offshore wind planning in Canada.
In advance of the workshops, participants are encouraged to review a brief overview of the geoscience data collection and analysis that has informed offshore wind energy assessments in Atlantic Canada, available here.
Each 1.5-hour webinar features expert presentations along with dedicated time for questions and discussion.
Registration is per day. If you wish to attend all three webinars, separate registration is required for each. Please see the links below to register.
Meet the Speakers
Middle Bank: Pierre-Arnaud Desiage, Research Scientist, Geological Survey of Canada, Natural Resources Canada
Pierre-Arnaud Desiage is a Research Scientist specializing in sedimentology and sedimentary processes with the Atlantic Division of the Geological Survey of Canada (GSC). He is the lead scientist for the sedimentology and marine core processing laboratories at GSC-Atlantic and is actively involved in the development and valorization of the GSC legacy marine samples collection. Within the GSC Marine Renewables program, he leads geohazards activity and has served as chief scientist on two oceanographic campaigns. His research focuses on modern and past sediment transport processes on the Scotian Shelf and in the eastern Canadian Arctic, using physical, mineralogical, and geochemical sediment properties, as well as seismic stratigraphy techniques.

French Bank: Dr. Calvin Campbell, Research Scientist, Geological Survey of Canada, Natural Resources Canada
Calvin is a Research Scientist with the Geological Survey of Canada where he has worked on marine geoscience projects offshore eastern Canada and the Arctic for over 25 years. During that time, his research has focused on seabed mapping, stratigraphic analysis, and geological hazard assessment. Besides providing fundamental understanding of marine geological processes, his research has been used to develop new resource exploration models, advise on environmental assessments, and support marine infrastructure decisions. He is currently leading a research activity on the shallow stratigraphy offshore Atlantic Canada to provide new insights about foundation conditions as they relate to offshore wind infrastructure.

Sydney Bight: Lynn Dafoe, Research Scientist, Geological Survey of Canada, Natural Resources Canada
Lynn Dafoe is a Research Scientist with the Geological Survey of Canada (GSC) as part of Natural Resources Canada. Her work focuses on onshore and offshore sedimentary basin analysis supporting the energy and minerals industries. Currently, she is leading the bedrock component of the GSC’s Marine Renewables Program which aims to develop a regional understanding of the nature and distribution of bedrock occurrences at the seabed and subcropping below Quaternary cover to support future offshore wind development. Lynn’s expertise is in the fields of sedimentology, ichnology and stratigraphy, utilizing detailed study of core and outcrop, wells, and basin-wide seismic reflection data. Her career with the GSC has included studies of several offshore basins/regions, including western Newfoundland, Orphan Basin, offshore Labrador, western Davis Strait, western Baffin Bay, and the Scotian Basin.

Marine Renewables Canada Annual General Meeting
2026-03-26 14:00 - 15:00 (America/Halifax) | Virtual
Marine Renewables Canada will be holding its Annual General Meeting on Thursday, March 26, 2026. This AGM will be held virtually using the Teams platform.
All members are encouraged to attend!
At this meeting, we will review the association’s 2025 activities and finances and outline plans and activities for 2026.
The agenda, 2025 meeting minutes, audited financials, and Annual Report will be provided closer to the meeting.
This meeting is open to MRC Members only, and there is no cost to attend

Ask an Expert | Engineering Canada’s Offshore Wind Future
2026-04-08 11:30 - 12:30 (America/Halifax) | Webinar
Offshore wind holds enormous promise, but what does it actually take to build it?
In the next edition of Marine Renewables Canada’s Ask an Expert webinar series, we’re diving into the engineering behind offshore wind development. From the data that tells us where projects can work, to the foundations that hold them in place and the cables that carry power back to land, every component requires careful planning and thoughtful design.
Offshore wind projects don’t begin with turbines, they begin with understanding ocean conditions, seabed characteristics, and feasibility constraints. Our experts will walk us through how metocean and geotechnical data shape design decisions, how projects move through front-end engineering and design, and why certain sites are better suited to monopiles or jackets. We’ll also explore how export cables are routed to shore, what happens at landfall, and how offshore wind ultimately connects into the grid.
We’re excited to welcome Blair MacDougall of WESI and Walid Al Otaibi of JBO to lead this conversation. JBO and WESI have a multi-year partnership to bring their collective talents in offshore wind design and installation to Canada. Drawing on experience from projects in Europe, Asia, and the United States, they’ll share real-world lessons, technical challenges, and practical solutions that can help shape Canada’s offshore wind future.
Whether you’re a developer, engineer, policymaker, supply chain participant – or simply curious about how an offshore wind farm comes together – join us to better understand what it takes to move projects from concept to construction and beyond.
Meet the Speakers:
Walid Al Otaibi
Managing Director & Director Offshore, JBO Engineering Group GmbH
Walid Al Otaibi is Managing Director and Director Offshore at JBO Engineering Group GmbH. Active in offshore wind for more than a decade, he led JBO’s structural offshore team from 2014–2022, became Director Offshore in 2022, and was appointed Managing Director in 2024 while continuing to lead Offshore. His work focuses on the development and optimization of offshore foundations, towers, and structural connections, drawing on deep design and analysis expertise to deliver reliable, cost‑efficient solutions for offshore wind farms.

Blair MacDougall
President, Waterford Energy Services Inc.
Blair MacDougall, Founder and President of Waterford Energy Services (WESI), and cofounder of Technical Energy Solutions an industrial services company, has led the company since its inception in 2003. With nearly 30 years of industry expertise, he manages day-to-day operations, specializing in both offshore renewable, hydrogen and non-renewable energy projects. MacDougall’s extensive background in global engineering and operational roles within the oil and gas sectors have positioned him as a trusted leader in the planning, oversight, and execution of complex projects including decommissioning and subsea interventions. His portfolio comprises expertise in floating wind, fixed-bottom wind, hydrogen demo projects, and infrastructure development for ports. He has worked globally including Africa, India, USA, Caribbean, The Arctic, Europe and Canada. Holding a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics & Computer Science (St. FX) and a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering (MUN) MacDougall drives his companies forward with a strong commitment to innovation and industry excellence.
Register for the webinar here!

Regional Member Exchange & Mixer | Victoria, British Columbia
2026-04-15 14:00 - 16:00 (America/Vancouver) | COAST Innovation Hub, 517 Herald Street, Victoria, British Columbia, V8W 1S5, Canada
Calling all British Columbia Marine Renewables Canada members!
Join fellow members and Marine Renewables Canada (MRC) in Victoria for a Regional Member Exchange & Mixer – featuring updates from the MRC team, discussion on regional priorities, and insights from industry leaders working to advance marine renewable energy in British Columbia.
Join fellow MRC members to:
→ Hear about opportunities for marine renewable energy in British Columbia, with:

Kymm Girgulis, Sector Lead, Transportation Key Account Management, BC Hydro

→ Engage in a member discussion on opportunities, challenges, and solutions in the sector, led by:

Jonathan Robinson, Senior Policy Advisor, Marine Renewables Canada
Claire Kleinknecht, Research & Engagement Office, Marine Renewables Canada

→ Network with the COAST team and organizations advancing the sector, and attend the COAST Innovation Challenge announcement
Plus, an informal networking mixer will take place after the roundtable, providing a great opportunity to connect with fellow members and sector partners!
These events are exclusive to MRC members.
Registration is required – in-person only.
—
Date: April 15, 2026
Time: 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. PT | Networking mixer to follow
Location: COAST Innovation Hub, 517 Herald Street, Victoria, BC

Mission to WindEurope
2026-04-20 08:00 - 2026-04-24 17:00 (America/Halifax) | IFEMA Madrid, Av. del Partenón, 5, Barajas, Madrid, 28042, Spain
WindEurope 2026 is the annual conference and exhibition for the wind energy industry, taking place in Madrid, Spain, from April 21–23, 2026, at the IFEMA exhibition center. The event will bring together professionals to discuss the latest in onshore and offshore wind technology, grid integration, and the energy transition. It is expected to attract over 15,000 participants and feature more than 500 exhibitors. The event covers all aspects of wind energy, from turbine design and farm planning to operations, decommissioning, and circularity. It emphasizes cutting-edge technology, research, and solutions driving Europe’s renewable energy future.
Mission Dates: April 20-24, 2026 (Conference takes place April 21-23)
Location: Madrid, Spain ~ Recinto ferial IFEMA MADRID
Mission Participation Fee: $2000 + tx per company (**one (1) conference delegate pass is included with this fee).
Travel Funding: Partial travel funding may be available for MRC members (Canadian companies) in accordance with our travel funding policy, pending CanExport approval expected early 2026. This funding will work on first come first serve basis.
Mission Activities:

MRC/Canada Pavilion in the exhibition
**This will be a large island pavilion branded MRC/Canada, promoting Canada’s offshore wind industry and supply chain capabilities. MRC will be working on the layout and design of this booth to ensure the best profile for Canada and participating companies. MRC staff will manage this booth and be onsite at all times
Dedicated meeting room in the conference venue for general use by mission delegates and for organized B2B meetings
One (1) Full Conference Pass ($2500 CAD value)
Pre-Mission Briefing Sessions (virtual & in-country)
Access to a Consultant to assist in preparing for the mission, making connections, and setting up B2B meetings
Networking Opportunities
Potential site-visits
Support Staff

Registration Deadline: January 31st, 2026

Marine Renewables Spring Summit
2026-05-12 09:00 - 18:00 (America/Halifax) | Marriott Harbourfront Hotel, 1919 Upper Water St, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3J 3J5
Building the Supply Chain and Fostering Partnerships
The Marine Renewables Spring Summit will bring together industry, suppliers, Indigenous partners, training institutions, and economic development leaders to focus on strengthening the marine renewables supply chain.
As tidal and offshore wind activity accelerates in Atlantic Canada, the event will provide practical guidance, procurement insights, and actionable advice to help businesses and communities prepare for, participate in, and benefit from a growing marine renewables market.
Beyond project readiness, the summit will highlight the importance of building durable partnerships that ensure local and Indigenous participation in the sector’s growth. Through collaboration, workforce development, and stronger connections between industry and community, the event aims to support a resilient, inclusive supply chain that delivers long-term economic benefits for the region and Canada.
You can register at the bottom of the page.
Thank you to our sponsors!
Presenting Partner

Event Sponsors

AGENDA
9:00 am – 9:15 am  | Opening and Welcome
Speakers:

Elisa Obermann, Executive Director, Marine Renewables Canada

Marco MacLeod, Ministerial Assistant to the Minister of Energy, Government of Nova Scotia

9:15 am – 10:15 am | Projects and Opportunities on the Horizon
This session will provide an overview of upcoming tidal and offshore wind activity in Nova Scotia and what it means for suppliers and communities across the region. Attendees will hear directly from industry leaders about activity and development timelines, anticipated procurement needs, and the types of goods and services that will be required in the near and medium term. The discussion will help businesses understand where opportunities are emerging and how to begin preparing.
Moderator: Elisa Obermann, Executive Director, Marine Renewables Canada
Speakers:

Oliver Wragg, Development Director, Orbital Marine Power
Lindsay Bennett, Executive Director, Fundy Ocean Research Centre for Energy (FORCE)
Adrienne Downey, Director, Offshore Wind, Power Advisory

Morning theme: Building Supplier Capacity
10:15 am – 11:00 am | What  Developers Need from Suppliers: A Clear Roadmap to Qualification
Industry experts will outline what it takes for suppliers to successfully enter marine renewable energy supply chains. Topics will include procurement cycles, qualification processes, technical standards, and health, safety, and environmental expectations. Attendees will gain practical insight into how to position their companies to meet developer requirements and compete for upcoming contracts.
Moderator: Dawn MacDonald, Global Energy Infrastructure Lead, AECOM
Speakers:

Maria Pallard, Principal Consultant, ABL
Jimmy Buyst, Offshore Wind Development Manager, DEME Group

11:00 am – 11:30 am | Refreshment Break

11:30 am – 12:30 pm | Bridging the Gap: Helping SMEs Enter the Marine Renewables Market
This session will explore how small and medium-sized enterprises can enter the marine renewables sector by leveraging experience from related ocean industries. Speakers will also share vendor best practices, mentorship approaches between larger contractors and local businesses, and real-world case studies of companies that have successfully entered the market. Attendees will learn practical steps to reduce barriers and accelerate participation.
Moderator: Anne-Marie Belliveau, Owner, Projectable Consulting
Speakers:

Thomas Newcomb, Senior Chief Consultant, Ramboll
Ralph Bastarache, Chief Commercial Officer, Ocean Sonics
Jennifer MacNeil, Energy Sector Development Officer, Cape Breton Partnership
James Craig, Chief Development Officer, Canada’s Ocean Supercluster

12:30 pm – 1:30 pm | Networking Lunch

Afternoon theme: Engaging Local & Indigenous Communities
1:30 pm – 2:30 pm | Indigenous-Led Supply Chain Participation
This session will highlight opportunities for meaningful Indigenous participation in marine renewables supply chains. Speakers will discuss approaches to identifying Indigenous partners, supporting Indigenous-owned businesses, and strengthening inclusive procurement practices. Attendees will also learn about tools and initiatives that help developers and suppliers connect with Indigenous service providers.
Moderator: Barb Bryden, Stakeholder, Rights Holder & Community Liaison Manager, DP Energy
Speakers:

Jarvis Googoo, Director of Atlantic Indigenous Economic Development Integrated Research Program (AIEDIRP), Atlantic Policy Congress of First Nations Chiefs
Tracy Menge, Benefits Officer, KMKNO
Denise Pothier, Chief Operating Officer, Canada Council for Indigenous Business (CCIB)

2:30 pm – 3:30 pm | Building Opportunities for Local Workers
Focusing on workforce development, this discussion will examine how partnerships with colleges, training institutions, and community organizations can prepare workers for marine renewable energy careers and upcoming opportunities. Speakers will share examples of successful programs, strategies for reducing barriers to entry for youth and underrepresented groups, and lessons learned from regional and industry experience.
Moderator & Speaker: Kim Dixon, Director of Workforce Development, COVE
Speakers:

Sherry Scully, Principal, SES Workforce Research and Consulting
Karen Paul, Executive Director, Workforce Warriors

3:30 pm – 4:00 pm | Refreshment  Break

4:00 pm – 4:45 pm | Closing  Panel Discussion: Lessons from Other Jurisdictions  and Industries: Community-Driven Supply Chains
The closing panel will examine how regions around the world have successfully developed local supply chains to support emerging energy industries. Drawing lessons from offshore wind markets alongside Nova Scotia’s own experience building ocean sectors, panelists will share practical strategies for strengthening local participation, aligning industry and community interests, and capturing long-term economic value through coordinated supply chain development. Attendees will leave with insights into how collaboration between developers, governments, and local businesses can accelerate sustainable industry growth.
Moderator: Mohammad Ali Raza, Partner, Cox & Palmer
Speakers:

Sarah Courbis, Principal Environmental Scientist, EPI Group
David MacGregor, Associate Deputy Minister, Nova Scotia Department of Energy
Rob Langford, VP, Global Offshore Renewables, ABS
James Kesten, Director of Venture Growth, COVE

4:45 pm – 5:00 pm | Summit Closing

5:00 pm – 6:00 pm | Networking Reception

Download the agenda overview here.

Event Details
Date: May 12, 2026
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. AT | Networking Reception from 4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. AT
Location: Halifax Marriott Harbourfront Hotel, Nova Scotia Ballroom, 1919 Upper Water St, Halifax, NS
Cost: $275 (MRC Members) | $375 (Non-Members)
Registration for this event is now closed. On-site registration will open at 8:30 am AT on May 12.
—
Thank you to our sponsors!
Presenting Partner

Event Sponsors

Global Updates Webinar Series | Advancing Offshore Wind: Regional Updates & Insights from the Canary Islands Maritime Cluster
2026-05-27 11:00 - 12:00 (America/Halifax) | Virtual
Join MRC for an engaging webinar in collaboration with the Canary Islands Maritime Cluster to explore the growing opportunities and strategic developments in the offshore wind and maritime sector in the region.
The Canary Islands are emerging as a key hub for offshore renewable energy, leveraging their unique geographic position, strong maritime expertise, and commitment to sustainability. This session will highlight how regional collaboration, innovation, and infrastructure are supporting the deployment of offshore wind projects in island and remote environments.
Participants will gain insights into:

The role of maritime clusters in accelerating offshore wind development
Key projects, capabilities, and supply chain opportunities in the Canary Islands
Lessons learned and best practices applicable to other regions, including Atlantic Canada
Opportunities for international collaboration and industry partnerships

Meet the Presenters:

Nicola Lombardi Ruiz, Project Manager – Canary Islands Maritime Cluster
Nicola Lombardi has been a Project Manager at the Canary Islands Maritime Cluster (CMC) since 2023. In this role, he manages innovation projects in the blue economy, overseeing project development, drafting deliverables, and supporting event organization and communication tasks. He is responsible for implementing various projects in which the CMC participates or leads, managing timelines, budgets, and work planning. He fosters partnerships across industry, government, universities, and civil society, ensuring effective stakeholder engagement and communications. Additionally, Nicola organizes working groups and events, planning the CMC’s involvement in sector events and trade fairs to enable maritime companies to collaborate, innovate, and grow.
Nicola holds a degree in Industrial Organization Engineering from the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (2023). His Final Degree Project focused on the study of the capacities of the Puerto de la Luz, aimed at supporting the storage and equipment necessary for the assembly and manufacturing of floating renewable energy structures. This experience has given him deep knowledge of the port sector and floating offshore wind energy. He is also skilled in renewable energies, especially offshore wind and photovoltaic solar energy. Known for his adaptability and proactivity in learning, Nicola is committed to driving sustainable development in the maritime sector.

Manuel Ruiz de la Rosa, Director – Environmental Consulting, Oceanography, and Coastal Engineering (ECOS) Group
Manuel Ruiz de la Rosa is the co-founder and CEO of ECOS Estudios Ambientales y Oceanografía S.L. / Ecos Group, a Spanish environmental consultancy specialised in the marine environment, applied oceanography, environmental impact assessment, offshore monitoring and marine renewable energy. He has extensive experience leading multidisciplinary teams in the preparation of Environmental Impact Assessments, marine baseline studies, environmental monitoring programmes and permitting-related documentation for complex coastal, marine and energy projects. In the offshore wind sector, he has played a key role in positioning ECOS as a specialist provider of baseline studies and environmental monitoring services, including seabird and marine mammal surveys, benthic and sediment characterisation, water quality assessment, underwater noise, oceanographic studies, GIS analysis and impact assessment.
Manuel has also driven the development of ECOS’ Digital Aerial Surveys capabilities, integrating high-resolution imagery, LiDAR and AI-supported data processing to generate robust information on species distribution, abundance, density and bird flight heights for collision risk assessment. His profile combines strong technical knowledge of marine environmental assessment with strategic project leadership, regulatory understanding and international business development experience in demanding offshore wind markets.

Santiago Díaz Ruano, Head of the Renewable Energy Section – The Canary Islands Institute of Technology (ITC)
PhD. Santiago Díaz Ruano has a Degree and Master’s in Electrical Engineering (University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain) and PhD in Engineering in topics related to renewable energy forecasting and machine learning techniques (Doctoral Program of Chemical, Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain).
He has been working at the Canary Islands Institute of Technology (ITC) since 2012. Santiago has contributed to the elaboration of the Canary Islands Energy Planning. References: i: DOSE – Directrices de Ordenación del Sector Energético 2012 – 2020; ii) EECan25 – Canary Islands Energy Planning 2015-2025; iii) PTECan – Canary Islands Energy Planning 2021-2030; Energy strategies for PV self-consumption, energy storage, geothermal energy, marine energy, management generation, green hydrogen and demand side management). He also has collaborated in other insular energy planning such as in Galápagos Islands, Caribbean Islands and other European Islands.

Alejandro Romero Filguera, Head of Research Line in Renewable Resources – Oceanic Platform of the Canary Islands (PLOCAN)
Alejandro Romero-Filgueira is an Electrical Engineer from 2005 and MSc in Renewable Energies. He developed his professional career from 2005 to 2019 in the energy sector as a Technical Consultant specialised in Predictive Maintenance and Commissioning in the electrical power system. In those years he became a senior expert in electrical machines diagnosis, specialised in power transformer life cycle management.
Alejandro Romero-Filgueira is currently employed as a R&D Project Manager in The Oceanic Platform of The Canary Islands, within the Renewables Research Line, where he was involved in H2020 funded project FLOTANT about Floating Offshore Wind as a Coordinator; and in H2020 funded project WATERTEYE about O&M tools for the Offshore Wind sector, MAESHA about the Smart Energy Management in isolated territories, HarhsMoP about sensoring in floating substructures, etc. He coordinates the activity of PLOCAN within the REMAR network and is the responsible of the Testing Infraestructure Harshlab 0.5 for testing materials in real sea conditions. He is the Coordinator of H2 Verde, which is part of the R&D Complementary Plans (PRTR) funded by EU Next Generation. This project aims to install an offshore electrolyser powerd by marine renewable energies and demonstrates the uses of the green hydrogen in the blue economy sector.

Summer Social on the Harbour
2026-08-13 18:30 - 20:30 (America/Halifax) | The Tall Ship Silva ~ Cable Wharf, Halifax Waterfront, 1751 Lower Water Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3J 1S5, Canada
The Marine Renewables Canada (MRC) annual summer social is the can’t-miss gathering of the season for Canada’s ocean and energy industries – a signature evening that brings our members and community together to connect and celebrate the progress and opportunities shaping the marine renewables sector.
This year, we’re setting sail once again aboard the historic Tall Ship Silva. Join us for an unforgettable evening of networking, live music, hors d’oeuvres, and refreshments — all while enjoying a scenic cruise on the beautiful Halifax Harbour.
Event Details
Date: Thursday, August 13, 2026
Time: 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. AT
Location: The Tall Ship Silva – The Cable Wharf (1751 Lower Water St, Halifax, NS B3J 1M4)
Cost: $115 (MRC Members) | $165 (Non-Members)
Thank you to our 2026 Event Sponsors!
Presenting Sponsor

Event Sponsors

—
Stand out. Grow your business. Sponsor the Social!

For more information, please connect with:
Amanda White, Senior Director, Operations & Member Services
📧 amanda@marinerenewables.ca

Regional Member Exchange & Mixer | St. John's, Newfoundland & Labrador
2026-09-17 14:30 - 16:30 (America/St_Johns) | Nova Scotia
Calling all Marine Renewables Canada members!
Join us this year for Regional Member Exchanges and Mixers – in-person gatherings built around meaningful conversation between members, guest speakers, and the Marine Renewables Canada (MRC) team. This year’s sessions will take place in Nova Scotia, British Columbia, and Newfoundland and Labrador. Be part of the conversation and help us grow the sector!
These events will bring members together to exchange insights, share regional perspectives, and explore challenges and opportunities shaping Canada’s marine renewable energy sector. You’ll also learn more about activities underway by MRC to support sector growth.
With two events in Atlantic Canada and one in British Columbia, each Member Exchange will focus on regional priorities while and discuss ways that MRC can work with its members to drive industry development. Member input is central to these discussions and will continue to inform MRC’s future programs, plans, and initiatives.
Roundtable Objectives:

Share industry insights and best practices
Discuss emerging trends, challenges, and opportunities
Strengthen information sharing and collaboration
Provide updates on MRC’s activities and initiatives, and encourage feedback
Support networking and relationship building

An informal mixer will follow – a perfect opportunity to keep the conversation going and network with other MRC members!
These events are exclusive to MRC members.
Registration is required – in-person only.
—
Date: September 17
Time: 2:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. NT
Location: St. John’s, NL – Venue TBC

Mission to the 2026 International Conference on Ocean Energy (ICOE) & Ocean Energy Europe (OEE)
2026-10-05 08:00 - 2026-10-07 17:00 (Europe/Amsterdam) | Amare, Spuiplein 150, The Hague, 2511, Netherlands
The marine renewable energy market is evolving rapidly, with tidal energy expanding in both Europe/UK and Canada. ICOE-OEE 2026 presents a prime opportunity for Canadian companies to build on experience and relationships to pursue commercial projects and contracts, and aligns with MRC’s IBD priorities that include gaining market intelligence, attracting developers (interest in untapped resource opportunities in Canada), and connecting Canadian supply chain with experience from Canada’s tidal and wave activity.
In partnership with Ocean Energy Europe 2026, the joint conference will further enhance visibility and engagement opportunities. Mission participation and activities are targeted at capitalizing on foundational relationships, supporting supply chain development/partnerships with European/UK firms to achieve innovation in the sector and attract project developers/investment in Canada. Wave and tidal energy are progressing globally, making ICOE-OEE an important event to share knowledge and build partnerships. With increased tidal activity in the Bay of Fundy and advancements in remote community wave and tidal R&D on Canada’s Pacific coast, Canada is well positioned to shape and benefit from global market development.
Mission participants will develop valuable business contacts and new collaborative networks through extensive networking and business-to-business meetings. The mission will feature an exhibit/booth, B2B meetings, possible site visits, and targeted networking events. Contracted matchmaking services will ensure structured B2B engagement and facilitate additional business connections as opportunities are identified.
Additional background info on ICOE-OEE 2026:
The International Conference on Ocean Energy (ICOE) is a biennial global event dedicated to advancing the industrial development of marine renewable energy. The conference is an initiative of the IEA-OES.
Ocean Energy Europe (OEE) together with the Dutch Energy from Water Association (EWA) will join forces to host ICOE-OEE 2026, in The Hague, The Netherlands on 5 – 7 October 2026. This event, focused on ocean energy technologies, will combine the International Conference on Ocean Energy (ICOE) and Ocean Energy Europe’s annual Conference & Exhibition. An ICOE-OEE joint event provides a unique opportunity for the sector to come together, network and do business, and hear the latest news and updates. The event will feature an exhibition hall, a conference programme with several technology and policy tracks, as well as side events, networking events and a site visit featuring the most important Dutch ocean energy sites and companies.
Mission Activities:

MRC/Canada booth in the exhibition
One (1) Full Conference Pass
Pre-Mission Briefing Session
Access to a Consultant to assist in preparing for the mission, making connections, and setting up B2B meetings
MRC hosted networking reception
Speaking opportunities
Support Staff

Mission Details:
Date: ICOE-OEE conference dates – Oct 5-7 / Mission dates – Oct 4-8
Location: The Hague, Netherlands
Cost: $1500 + tax per company
Deadline to register: June 30, 2026
Travel Funding: Partial travel funding will be available for MRC members (Canadian companies) in accordance with our travel funding policy. This funding will work on first come first serve basis.
Questions? Get in touch with Amanda White, Sr Director, Operations & Member Services, at amanda@marinerenewables.ca.

Marine Renewables Canada 2026 Conference & Exhibition
2026-11-17 10:00 - 2026-11-19 16:00 (America/Toronto) | The Westin Ottawa, 1 Colonel By Dr, Ottawa, Ontario, K1N 9J1, Canada
November 17-19, the industry will gather in Ottawa. Will you be there?
Join us in the nation’s capital for the only national conference dedicated to tidal, offshore wind, wave, and river current energy. This premier event brings together industry leaders, innovators, policymakers, researchers, Indigenous partners, and communities working to advance Canada’s marine renewable energy sector.
Under the theme Powering Canada’s Clean Energy Future, the conference will explore how marine renewables can strengthen Canada’s energy system, drive economic growth, and accelerate the global energy transition. With the Sector Vision 2050 projecting an estimated $12 billion in GDP from construction activity alone and more than 115,000 jobs, this is where the ideas, partnerships, and momentum come together to turn opportunity into action.
Over three dynamic days, participants will explore the policies, partnerships, technologies, and investments shaping the sector through expert panels, technical sessions, and networking events.
Industry leadership and sector progress

Highlights of Canadian achievements, milestones, and developments from industry leaders.
Market outlook and global opportunities

Exploration of emerging markets and investment opportunities in Canada and internationally.
Policy and regulatory insights

Updates on government initiatives, regulatory frameworks, and policies enabling sector growth.
Indigenous leadership and partnerships

Discussions on Indigenous participation, perspectives, and opportunities across the sector.
Research and innovation sessions

A dedicated technical track featuring cutting-edge work in offshore wind, tidal, wave, and river current energy.

Supply chain and industry exhibition
A dynamic showcase of technologies, services, and expertise supporting marine renewable energy development.
Member-only workshops
Exclusive pre-conference, for-members, by-members sessions focused on industry development, collaboration, and business growth.
Networking and partnership building
Events designed to connect leaders across industry – featuring B2B meetings, an international delegate program, and a variety of receptions to spark new partnerships.
🌐 Website: marinrerenewablesconference.ca
