
Accelerating Implementation of Renewable Energy
QUEST Canada Launches its Accelerating the Implementation of Renewable Energy in Indigenous Communities Project
QUEST Canada is pleased to announce the launch of its project, Accelerating the Implementation of Renewable Energy in Indigenous Communities, an innovative initiative that enables remote Indigenous communities to build local capacity to accelerate renewable energy projects, building a pathway to net-zero. Learn MoreThe AI-RE protocol is now live!
The Accelerating the Implementation of Renewable Energy (AI-RE) protocol is a free online resource for Canadian municipalities. It consists of 5 action items and associated resources on:
- The roles municipalities can play in renewable energy development
- How to find and map solar, wind, and biomass energy generation opportunities
- How to collaborate with stakeholders and community members to create fair and tailored initiatives
- How to integrate sustainable development into future community plans
- How intermediary organizations may invigorate the process

Accelerating Implementation of Renewable Energy is a two year project designed to help municipalities reach emission reduction targets by enabling investment of local renewable energy projects and infrastructure. The project will give municipalities the information and the tools they need to better assess and communicate renewable energy opportunities and adapt to changes in technology and policy.
Participants will benefit from hands-on learning techniques, real-world case studies on land use and other policy and technical tools, and a customized mapping toolkit to assess and communicate opportunities for projects in their communities.
From September to December 2020, QUEST organized a 4-part webinar series in partnership with the Community Energy Knowledge Action Partnership (CEKAP) and the University of Guelph. Click here to watch the recordings of the Accelerating Implementation of Renewable Energy webinar series.

Participating Municipalities
The following municipalities have been selected to participate in the Accelerating Implementation of Renewable Energy Project.
Project Partners
The Accelerating Implementation of Renewable Energy project is being led in partnership by QUEST and CEKAP.


Project Supporters
This initiative is offered through the Municipalities for Climate Innovation Program, which is delivered by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and funded by the Government of Canada. This initiative contributes to the FCM-ICLEI Partners for Climate Protection (PCP) program to help municipalities reduce greenhouse gas emissions and take action on climate change. PCP is a partnership between FCM and ICLEI—Local Governments for Sustainability.


Empowering Canadian Communities
QUEST Canada develops and implements programs and projects with the aim to nurture strategic partnerships, facilitate connections, empower community champions, and influence decisions makers, supporting communities across Canada on their pathway to net-zero. Find out more about our programs and projects:
Enabling Low-Carbon Energy Projects for Investments
Communities in Canada are increasingly developing local, low-carbon energy projects, but many face road-blocks with regards to financing. Simultaneously, Canadian investors are seeking low-carbon investments, but are challenged to find local opportunities at scale for investment. The Enabling Low Carbon Energy Projects for Investment (ELCEPI) research project aims to offer recommendations and solutions to close these financing gaps, while connecting the barriers and enablers for investment to larger socio-economic issues.
New Brunswick Smart Energy Communities Accelerator Pilot Program
The NB SECA Pilot Program successfully established a community energy planning accelerator to assist a series of New Brunswick communities and one First Nation, equipping them with the tools and knowledge to develop and implement community energy plans and understand the net economic benefit they can provide.
Accelerating Implementation of Renewable Energy for Indigenous Communities
Accelerating Implementation of Renewable Energy (AIRE) for Indigenous Communities is a three-year project designed to help rural and remote Indigenous communities reach emission reduction targets by increasing their capacity to plan and implement land-based renewable energy initiatives (solar, wind, biomass, and geo-thermal). This project supports rural, remote Indigenous communities on their pathway to net-zero.