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A SPECIAL INTEREST SECTION BY MEDIAPLANET
Powering Canada’s Future Fueling the Future: How Canada’s Clean Energy Strategy is Driving Innovation Mediaplanet sat down with Minister Wilkinson to discuss Canada's clean energy landscape and global leadership in nuclear power and nuclear safety. How can Canada become a leader in the global nuclear energy market, and what steps is the government taking to address public concerns about nuclear safety and waste management? Canada is a world-class nuclear nation, and nuclear energy plays a pivotal role in the Canadian and global energy mix. The sector employs over 89,000 people in Canada, contributes 15 per cent of our national electricity supply, and adds $17 billion to the economy every year. We have exported Canadian nuclear technology around the world, helping countries achieve energy security and avoiding over 30 million tonnes of pollution annually, and are the world’s second-largest miner of uranium, the primary fuel source for nuclear power. Our continued leadership in nuclear energy is one of the key reasons Canada has been an energy superpower for decades, and will continue to be for generations to come. Today, we are leveraging this expertise to lead in the development of innovative technologies like Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), which offer safe, reliable, and low-carbon energy solutions. Projects like Ontario Power Generation’s work on the deployment of SMRs at the Darlington, Ontario site and partnerships in Saskatchewan, New Brunswick, and Alberta demonstrate how Canada is positioning itself as a global hub for nuclear innovation. SMRs are particularly well-suited to providing energy for remote and industrial regions, opening up opportunities for cleaner power where traditional energy infrastructure is limited. To address nuclear safety and the safe management of waste, Canada relies on the rigorous oversight of the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission and the Nuclear Waste Management Organization, world-respected bodies that ensure the highest standards for safety,
environmental protection, and emergency preparedness. Canada’s commitment to safety, innovation, and sustainability ensures that our nuclear industry is not only a global example but a domestic asset that keeps energy bills low and provides jobs for Canadians.
How is Canada working to ensure that energy infrastructure investments, including those for renewable energy, nuclear energy, and energy storage, are future-proof and resilient to climate change impacts? The federal government is actively working to ensure that energy infrastructure can withstand extreme weather events and changing environmental conditions, while maintaining reliable and affordable power for Canadians. For instance, federal funding through programs like the Investing in Canada Plan supports projects that enhance grid stability and integrate renewable energy, and Natural Resources Canada’s Climate Change Adaptation Program co-funds projects that advance adaptation in the natural resource sectors and expand knowledge on the economics of adaptation. In addition, the government supports energy storage technologies, such as battery systems and pumped hydro, which will ensure that renewable energy like wind and solar can power homes even when the weather isn’t cooperating. Similarly, investments in energy storage, such as grid-scale batteries in Alberta and Ontario, ensure that Read the full interview renewable energy like wind and solar can power homes with Minister Wilkinson at innovatingcanada.ca. even when the weather isn’t cooperating. By prioritizing innovation, durability, and resilience, Canada is building energy systems that can take on anything and keep the lights on.
How Hatch's Accelerated Training Is Powering the Future of Hydropower Hatch’s Accelerated Training Program is rapidly transforming young engineers into leaders, powering the future energy workforce.
C Rajib Ahsan Director, Operations, Hydropower and Dams, Hatch
anada’s hydropower sector is growing as we strive to meet our net-zero emissions target by 2050. Hydropower — also known as hydroelectric energy — currently accounts for 61.7 per cent of Canada’s total electricity generation, and this is expected to rise to meet the increasing demand for renewable energy. Despite the sector’s potential, hydropower poses a unique challenge: hiring and training the next generation of hydropower specialists is no small feat. “The hydropower industry requires engineers with specialized skills across various disciplines, but the absence of a coordinated and a specialized educational program nationally, lack of awareness among students about career opportunities in hydropower, and the industry’s aging workforce create a gap that’s difficult to fill quickly,” says Rajib Ahsan, Director, Operations, Hydropower and Dams at Hatch, a global engineering, project delivery, and professional services firm headquartered in Mississauga, Ont. “This makes succession planning quite a challenge. And becoming a specialist in hydropower engineering typically takes about 12 to 15 years due to the extensive training and experience that are required.”
Tania Amardeil
Proactively powering the future energy workforce
Championing a lower-carbon future with hydropower
Hatch’s Accelerated Training Program aims to overcome these challenges. Created by the Hydropower and Dams team at Hatch, the program was designed to develop the company’s young, promising engineers and to upskill them at a faster pace to become technical leaders. “Our Accelerated Training Program is guided by our Manifesto and led by top industry experts, combining group work, one-on-one mentorship, and real-life problem-solving,” says Ahsan. “It’s a journey that begins with foundational knowledge and continues as mentors stay connected with participants, helping them grow within projects for long-term career development at Hatch.” Through the program, Hatch is proactively powering the future energy workforce. “The hydropower sector needs more professionals for future leadership,” says Ahsan. “We take succession planning seriously by training our staff and providing opportunities for them to take on stretch roles, which are roles that push participants to take on leadership aspects in projects. We also encourage our professionals to share their knowledge with the industry through technical papers, workshops, and conferences. We get them involved in professional associations so they can contribute to the wider industry and learn from it, too.”
The Accelerated Training Program is a shining example of Hatch’s continued commitment to providing innovative, and sustainable solutions in the hydropower industry. “Sustainability and innovation are at the heart of our work at Hatch, with solutions like our advanced FMEA tool for dam safety and our contribution to the field of concrete growth modeling with the development of the Alkali-Aggregate Reaction growth law, which are testaments to our commitment to providing sustainable solutions for complex challenges,” says Ahsan. Hatch’s ongoing impact in hydropower — and its rich history — are undeniable. “This year marks a century of Hatch’s involvement in the hydropower industry, and we’re committed to continuing this legacy, staying at the forefront of innovation, and nurturing Want to get involved and accelerate your career? a workforce that will power a more susLearn more at hatch.com. tainable future,” says Ahsan. The company’s involvement in sigThis article was nificant projects, including the Keeyask sponsored by Hatch. Generating Station in Manitoba, BC Hydro’s Spillway Gates rehabilitation, and the Central Hidroeléctrica 3 de Febrero Project in El Salvador, showcase its powerful technical expertise.
Strategic Account Managerr: Bryan Bilas Strategic Account Director: Anna Sibiga Content Strategy Manager: Nicole Kansakar Country Manager: Nina Theodorlis Production & Delivery Manager: Michael Taylor Creative Director: Kylie Armishaw Digital Designer: Miranda Robinson Digital Media Manager: Karm Rathod All images are from Getty Images unless otherwise credited. This section was created by Mediaplanet and did not involve The National Post or its editorial departments. Send all inquiries to ca.editorial@mediaplanet.com.