top of page
Our Blog
Watt’s New at OREC
Search
Does Ontario Support Renewable Energy Co-ops? A New National Index Exposes the Gaps
A new national report just launched by the Canadian Centre for the Study of Co-operatives (CECC) offers the first-ever snapshot of how...
John Kirkwood
Jun 242 min read
'Renewables on the Rise': Environment Journal, Summer 2025 — OREC Featured
The current issue of Environment Journal discusses the opportunity for more distributed energy through the IESO's upcoming Local Generation Program. That’s why OREC is taking an active seat at the table and engaging directly with policymakers and influencers.
John Kirkwood
Jun 172 min read
Hydro Ottawa’s rate plan falls short on community power innovation: Where are the DER solutions?
Hydro Ottawa’s new rate plan includes big spending—but little action on local clean energy. Despite calls to adopt a modern “DSO” model that uses solar, storage, and other community solutions to reduce costs, the utility offers few concrete plans. OREC is calling for transparency and real investment in distributed energy. Read our blog and take action to push for a smarter, more affordable grid.
John Kirkwood
May 313 min read
Public opinion powers up: Ontarians say Yes to renewables, No to U.S. Nuclear
A new poll shows 80% of Ontarians want to cancel OPG’s plan for U.S.-designed nuclear reactors—and 70% support shifting investments to cheaper wind and solar. The public is also strongly behind clean energy solutions like heat pump financing and an east-west electricity grid.
John Kirkwood
May 201 min read
Ontario announces new 2.2 MW Community Solar project! Oh wait, that's Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia just approved a 2.2 MW community solar garden—exactly the kind of project we can’t do in Ontario today. Their Community Solar Program lets everyday residents subscribe to local clean energy, no rooftop needed. It’s simple, scalable, and a model we urgently need here too.
Graham Findlay
May 171 min read
Ontario’s upcoming 'Local Generation Program' matters. A lot.
Ontario’s new Local Generation Program could be a game-changer for community power. It would extend the life of existing solar and wind projects and support new, larger-scale renewable energy—owned by communities, for communities. We’ve shared our thoughts with the IESO.
John Kirkwood
May 81 min read
OREC expands museum solar installation to be Ottawa’s largest rooftop project
OREC is tripling the size of its rooftop installation at the Canada Museum of Science & Technology — our largest solar project yet! This expansion marks a return to new builds and adds 660 kW to our portfolio.
John Kirkwood
May 51 min read
Looking for an impactful investment in Canada? Meet OREC
Discover how OREC empowers Canadians to make impactful, ethical investments in local solar energy projects — with stable returns and real environmental benefits.
John Kirkwood
May 12 min read
Localizing Renewable Energy: An interview with OREC's Dick Bakker
Our Board Director, Dick Bakker, sat down for a virtual interview with 360 Energy spanning the founding and mission of OREC, the current and future role of community-owned renewable energy projects, and the intricacies of electricity regulations in Ontario.
Dick Bakker
Apr 152 min read
IESO responds to our submission on Ottawa Electricity Planning
OREC's advocacy is shaping Ottawa’s energy future. Read the IESO’s response to our push for local, sustainable energy solutions.
John Kirkwood
Apr 81 min read
Letter to Minister of Energy requesting permission for Community Net Metering (2022)
Allowing shared solar credits across meters could cut costs for co-ops & condos. Let’s fix Ontario’s net metering regulations.
Dick Bakker
Apr 82 min read
Our Feedback: Ontario's proposed Integrated Energy Resource Plan
OREC advocates for community-led renewable energy, proposing policy changes to enable local, resilient energy solutions
Roger Peters
Apr 317 min read
Why is Ontario afraid of small (but powerful) electricity solutions?
Ontario's new energy program offers $10K for solar & batteries—but bans net-metering. A win for the grid, but a loss for homeowners. Why?
Dick Bakker
Apr 32 min read
Keeping the lights on: Why Ottawa needs more community energy
Another power outage hit Ottawa’s last week, leaving 1000s of homes in the dark—community energy can keep the lights on when needed most.
John Kirkwood
Mar 282 min read
Why join OREC? What's in it for ME?? (Okay, and the planet :)
In 2010, OREC started when a few citizens gathered around an Ottawa kitchen table with a big idea: community-powered renewable energy....
John Kirkwood
Mar 142 min read
'Empowering Ontario communities with renewable energy' – OREC presents at CACOR Live
John Kirkwood and Dick Bakker presented to CACOR Live on 'Empowering Ontario communities with renewable energy'
John Kirkwood
Mar 132 min read
"Who lives near me that recently installed a heat pump?" – Learn from others in OREx community eXchange!
Learn how to use OREx - our forum to help you find & learn about EVs, installing heat pumps, solar & more from members near you
John Kirkwood
Mar 71 min read
Virtual Power Plants cut costs & boost resilience—why not in Ontario?
VPPs are helping communities keep the lights on and save - why not in Ontario?
Dick Bakker
Dec 20, 20243 min read
Can solar + batteries operate our Disaster Recovery Centres for free?
Adding battery storage systems to Ontario's electricity system enables communities to be more resilient to power disruptions.
Dick Bakker
Dec 9, 20243 min read
Why do we need Community Solar in Ontario?
Community solar directly benefits the communities that install them. What is Community Solar? Community Solar is a gateway for homeowners...
Roger Peters
Dec 9, 20243 min read
bottom of page