About OREC
Powering the Future Together
Game-Changing Energy, Powered by You.
At OREC, the Ottawa Renewable Energy Co-operative (OREC), we're not just waiting for the future – we're building it, one clean electron at a time. Since 2010, we've been proof that collective action sparks real change. We're about empowering people, enriching communities, and tackling climate change head-on through smart, democratically-owned renewable energy projects. Think big impact, powered locally.
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Our Story: From Kitchen Table to Kilowatts
Our journey began in 2010, when a half dozen concerned citizens gathered around an Ottawa kitchen table with a big idea: community-powered renewable energy. From that initial spark, OREC grew, fueled by a shared vision to flip the script on energy ownership. We've evolved from that foundational conversation into a dynamic force, building tangible projects and a thriving network of citizen-investors, all committed to shaping a cleaner, more sustainable energy landscape for Ontario.​
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2010: OREC starts with a big idea: community-powered renewable energy.
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2012: We finance and build our first community-owned solar project.
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2014: A pivotal moment: OREC secures its first Feed-in Tariff (FIT) contract, solidifying our project model.
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2017: We build our first solar-tracking project in partnership with Keewaywin First Nation.
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2018: We celebrate a significant achievement, surpassing $5 million in community investments.
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2018: In reaction to the abrupt halt of the FIT program, OREC creates CoEnergy Ontario, adding energy retrofit projects alongside our solar and wind initiatives. CoEnergy is amalgamated in 2022.
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2021: We harness the wind, purchasing 50% of our inaugural wind turbine project located in Tiverton on the windy shoreline of Lake Huron.
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2022: We pass $10 million invested by our members
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2024: We launch MyOREC, our member portal that permits a fully digital membership sign up and secure online investment.
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2024: Our community thrives, as OREC proudly welcomes its 1,000th Ontario member to the co-operative.
Key Achievements
With 33 projects completed (26 solar, 2 wind, 5 energy retrofits), OREC has raised over $15 million in local investments directly from members. Our work provides regular returns to our member investors, helps reduce Ontario's energy costs and emissions, and demonstrates leadership in innovation by advocating for Community Solar and Virtual Power Plants.
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Our Game Plan
OREC champions collaborations with property owners, community groups, and all levels of government to identify, develop, fund, and manage progressive renewable energy projects. Our secret sauce? A community-based investment model that opens doors to green financing beyond the usual suspects. Solar, wind, battery storage – we've got the expertise, and our decade-plus track record shows we get things done.
Our Crew
At OREC, it's all about us – the members. Powered by almost 1,100 citizen-members and growing, our democratic structure ensures every voice shapes our direction. We're a vibrant, collaborative crew, constantly sharing insights, listening hard, and problem-solving together, multiplying our impact through collective genius.
Our Voice
Beyond building projects, OREC is a fearless advocate for systemic change in Ontario's energy sector. We're in the room with policymakers, championing community ownership, and pushing for smarter, cleaner, and fairer energy solutions for everyone in Ontario. We work with representatives at all levels, including the provincial government Ministry of Energy and Mines, the Ontario Energy Board (OEB), the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO), as well as Hydro One and Local Distribution Companies like Hydro Ottawa — check out this helpful infographic on Ontario's electricity system.
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Ready to Be a Part of Something Big?
This isn't just about investing; it's about leading. When you join OREC, you're plugging into a dynamic community, investing in real change, and actively shaping a sustainable, prosperous future for Ontario. Let's make some serious green impact, together.
