
Accelerating Implementation of Renewable Energy
The 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 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 projects:
Partnering for Indigenous Community Energy Capacity
Partnering for Indigenous Community Energy Capacity (PICEC) is an Indigenous, community-led initiative aimed at strengthening the understanding and knowledge of priorities, needs, and challenges surrounding community energy planning.
Net-Zero Communities Accelerator Program
QUEST Canada recently announced the launch of its signature program, the Net-Zero Communities Accelerator, a program designed to equip participating communities across Canada with the knowledge necessary to develop and continuously implement community energy and...
Promoting Energy Efficiency in Land Use Planning Training
The NB Environmental Trust Fund awarded funds to QUEST Canada and Decodesign to train professionals on promoting energy efficiency through land use planning design and smart growth principles integrated into development projects.