Sustainable and Renewable Energy (SURE)

Alberta is responding to the world's growing demand for affordable, renewable and environmentally friendly energy, and Calgary is playing an increasing role in this sector as it develops. The Sustainable and Renewable Energy (SURE) industry group covers everything from wind energy, solar, biofuel, hydro to environmental technologies and waste management. (Learn more in the Sustainable and Renewable Energy sector profile.pdf)

In 2008, the City of Calgary launched their 10 year strategic vision for the city, the Calgary Economic Development Strategy. This aggressive plan calls for Calgary to become the global centre for all things energy. The SURE industry group will play a critical role in achieving this goal. 

Calgary Economic Development is actively working to develop this sector and has brought together over 50 local small and medium size companies to form the SURE cluster. The objective of the group is to connect these local companies with their peers, potential partners/funders/customers with the overarching goal of accelerating the growth of the SURE industry group in Calgary.  

In addition to what industry is doing, the City of Calgary is forging ahead with aggressive plans for sustainable development in its municipal operations. CED believes that the City of Calgary can play an important role in accelerating the business growth of the SURE industry group in our region with the adoption of programs and policies that will in turn help achieve its own goal of sustainability.

Alberta is well position to become a leader in the sustainable and renewable energy.  With Alberta being one of the sunniest provinces in Canada, tremendous potential exists for the solar industry to become a key energy industry in Calgary. In March 2009, Alberta Wind Energy Corp., in partnership with Mainstream Renewable Power, a leading European clean tech firm, unveiled plans to produce an additional 400 MW of wind-generated electricity in Alberta by 2013.  Alberta has a wide range of feedstock available for biofuel generation, from forestry residuals to agricultural products and by-products, to waste generated in our cities and towns.

Sustainable and Renewable Energy (SURE) Sector Profile

Sustainable and Renewable Energy sector profile.pdf