AP Renewables Attends CanREA Operators Summit | Community, Collaboration, and the Future of Wind
More than 325 professionals gathered in Toronto for CanREA’s Operators Summit 2025, presented by the Canadian Renewable Energy Association. The theme, Engaging Communities, focused on connection and collaboration in Canada’s evolving renewable energy space.
Reuniting Our Remote Wind Power Team
For AP Renewables, the event was a rare chance for our remote team to meet in person. Staff travelled from the GTA, Hamilton, and Montreal to attend. We exchanged ideas, aligned our goals, and strengthened our internal collaboration.
Building Connections Across the Wind Industry
We reconnected with long-time partners and met many new faces in the wind and energy storage sectors. Conversations flowed—from turbine maintenance to policy reform—and reflected our shared mission to extend renewable energy’s impact.
Informal Discussions on Aging Wind Turbines
While not part of the official program, we had rich conversations with fellow operators on an emerging challenge: aging wind turbine fleets. Many wind farms across Canada are now more than 15 years old.
Extending Turbine Lifespan Beyond Warranty
Operators shared concerns about out-of-warranty turbines. How can we keep older assets running safely and efficiently? Preventive maintenance, retrofitting, and repowering came up again and again as key strategies.
Insurance and Policy for Older Wind Turbines
A major challenge lies in navigating insurance for older models. As warranties expire, insurance requirements shift. We spoke with peers about how to gather the right operational data to meet insurer expectations and manage risk.
There was also buzz about outdated provincial policies. Several attendees expressed the need for regulatory changes to better support long-term turbine maintenance and responsible decommissioning.
Learning from Europe’s Mature Wind Markets
Many of us are looking to Europe for guidance. With decades of wind development behind them, European operators offer useful models for extending asset life. Peer-to-peer energy markets, predictive maintenance, and flexible policy frameworks were all noted as areas to watch.
How SCADAScope Supports Turbine Maintenance
At AP Renewables, we’re proud of how our platform, SCADAScope, helps meet these challenges. It delivers real-time data to help operators:
- > Plan lifetime-extending turbine maintenance
- > Maximize the value of aging wind assets
- > Support evidence-based talks with insurers and regulators
SCADAScope gives operators the data confidence they need to make informed, proactive decisions about their fleets.
Looking Ahead for Canadian Wind Power
We left Toronto feeling energized by the passion and progress across the industry. The CANRea Operators Summit showed how committed Canadian wind power professionals are to working together and solving big challenges.
As turbines age, regulations shift, and the energy market matures, AP Renewables will continue to support safe, sustainable solutions. We’re excited for what’s ahead and proud to be part of the conversation.
Thanks to CanREA for hosting such a valuable event. We look forward to the next one!