Each year the Canadian Wind Energy Association (CanWEA) recognizes visionary leaders and clean energy pioneers for their outstanding contribution to the Canadian wind industry. The first CanWEA award was presented in 1985 and over the past thirty years CanWEA’s awards program has grown from one to eight award categories.
Six of these awards are presented at CanWEA’s Annual Conference and Exhibition and the two Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Awards are presented at CanWEA’s annual Operations and Maintenance Summit.
Here you can learn about our awards, including information and announcements about categories, nominations, finalists, recent winners and how to get involved.
You will also find information and announcements about the awards of our Friends of Wind partner, Women in Renewable Energy WiRE.
Recent Awards News
2019 Operations and Maintenance Awards to be Presented at the CanWEA Operations and Maintenance Summit in January
The two CanWEA O&M awards – the O&M Outstanding Achievement Award and the Health and Safety Excellence Award – will be presented at the CanWEA Operations and Maintenance Summit in Toronto, Ontario in January 2019. See below for the 2018 winners.
2018 CanWEA Award Winners and WiRE’s Wind Power Woman of Distinction Revealed
The winners of six 2018 CanWEA Awards and the WiRE Woman of Distinction Award were revealed at the Awards Breakfast held in Calgary at CanWEA’s Annual Conference and Exhibition. Read the news release. Thank you to all those who submitted nominations and to everyone who attended the Awards Breakfast. Congratulations to all the winners!
2018 CanWEA Award Winners
CanWEA is pleased to reveal the winners of the 2018 CanWEA Awards:
R.J. Templin Award
- Dr. Francis Pelletier
Matt Holder Community Connection Award
- Robbie Thibodeau
Individual Leadership Award
- Chris Martin
Group Leadership Award
- 20/20 Catalysts Program
Wind Energy Project
- Mesgi’g Ugju’s’n (Innergex Renewable Energy Inc. / Mi’gmawei Mawiomi Business Corporation)
Friend of Wind Award
- Doug Smith
WiRE’s 2018 Wind Power Woman of Distinction Award Winner
WiRE is pleased to announce that the winner of the 2018 Wind Power Woman of Distinction Award is
- Colleen Giroux-Schmidt
Robert Hornung, President, CanWEA with the winners of six 2018 CanWEA Awards and the WiRE Woman of Distinction Award.
2018 Operations and Maintenance Awards Presented in January
On January 30 and 31, 2018, CanWEA presented, for the first time, two new awards – the O&M Outstanding Achievement Award and the Health and Safety Excellence Award – at the CanWEA Operations and Maintenance Summit in Toronto, Ontario. Read the blog about the finalists. Read the news release that includes the announcement of the winners.
CanWEA Award Categories
Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Outstanding Achievement Award (New in 2018)
This award recognizes an organization that has demonstrated innovation through an initiative that exemplifies an industry leading approach to wind power facility operations and maintenance. This CanWEA award is intended to honour organizations that have improved, or contributed significantly to the improvement of, the efficiency, profitability and reliability of wind farm operations in Canada.
Health and Safety Excellence Award (New in 2018)
This award is presented to an organization whose progressive approach to a health and safety program, action or practice has directly improved the safety and well-being of wind power plant employees, contractors or the public and set an example for the wind energy industry in Canada.
R.J. Templin Award
The R.J. Templin Award recognizes an individual or organization that has undertaken scientific, technical, engineering or policy research and development work that has produced results that have served to significantly advance the wind energy industry in Canada.
Friend of Wind Award
The Friend of Wind award is presented to individuals or groups in recognition of outstanding voluntary contributions to advancing awareness of the benefits of wind energy at the community level in Canada.
Matt Holder Community Connection Award
The Matt Holder Community Connection Award recognizes a CanWEA Member organization or an individual working for a CanWEA Member who embodies responsible, sustainable development through a commitment to understanding a Canadian community and forming meaningful community relationships built on mutual respect and trust.
Individual Leadership Award
The Individual Leadership Award is presented to an individual who has, through their efforts and body of work over time, contributed significantly to the advancement of wind energy in Canada.
Group Leadership Award
The Group Leadership Award recognizes a government, corporation or non-profit organization that has contributed significantly to the advancement of wind energy in Canada.
Wind Energy Project Award
The Wind Energy Project Award highlights the exceptional commitment to responsible and sustainable development through initial development, community engagement, permitting, and construction.
WiRE Awards
Women in Renewable Energy WiRE is a non-profit group that advances the role and recognition of women in the energy sector.
WiRE presents four Women of Distinction Awards annually: Wind Power, Solar Power Hydropower and Woman of the Year. The awards celebrate excellence in areas such as leadership, policy and advocacy, technical advancement and R&D, project development, community engagement and increased adoption of renewable energy technologies, volunteering and being a role model contributing to the advancement of women in the energy sector.
Learn more about WiRE Awards. Learn more about WiRE.
Past Award Winners
Learn more about CanWEA's past award winners.
For any questions, email info@canwea.ca.