OTTAWA, ON, Dec. 12, 2025 – Canada is implementing tangible actions to optimize its natural resources and current infrastructure while capitalizing on new opportunities to develop leading energy technologies domestically.
Today, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Trade Yasir Naqvi, representing the Honourable Tim Hodgson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, revealed close to $5 million in funding for the University of Calgary’s Energy Modelling Hub. This national initiative aims to enhance evidence-based decision-making within the energy sector.
A further sum exceeding $2 million was also announced to back four projects under the Energy Innovation Program. These initiatives are centered on generating insights into industrial decarbonization, as well as the function of electricity, low-carbon fuels, and emissions-reducing technologies in the transition to a net-zero economy by 2050.
Accurate models and data are essential for comprehending, evaluating, and preparing for tomorrow’s energy system. These projects will help chart the course for Canada’s energy future, aiding the nation in becoming a powerhouse in both clean and conventional energy while securing a dependable and cost-effective energy supply for its citizens.
Quotes
“Informed decisions rely on data. These initiatives will enable us to cultivate advanced, Canadian-derived insights and technologies. We can use these to fully harness the potential of our workforce, industries, and natural assets, positioning Canada as an energy superpower.”
The Honourable Tim Hodgson
Minister of Energy and Natural Resources
“It is appropriate that today’s announcement occurs in Ottawa—a city synonymous with innovation and a base for many of Canada’s top researchers. By investing in state-of-the-art energy modelling and technological advancement, we are fortifying the evidentiary foundation for our policy choices and progressing toward a reliable, affordable, and progressive energy system.”
Yasir Naqvi
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Trade and Member of Parliament for Ottawa Centre
“This renewed federal commitment bolsters Canada’s capacity to plan its energy future using clear evidence and robust data. The Energy Modelling Hub unites universities and specialists nationwide to supply the analytical tools required for credible, long-term decisions regarding reliability, affordability, sustainability, and decarbonization. We anticipate ongoing collaboration with policymakers and partners to assist Canada’s transition.”
Energy Modelling Hub Executive Committee: Blake Shaffer, Associate Professor, University of Calgary; Madeleine McPherson, Associate Professor, University of Victoria; Normand Mousseau, Professor, Polytechnique Montréal; Mark Winfield, Professor, York University
Quick Facts
- The federal funding for the Energy Modelling Hub comes from the Government of Canada’s Smart Renewables and Electrification Pathways Program (SREPs). This $4.5-billion initiative is intended to promote the implementation of grid modernization, energy storage, and non-emitting power generation across all Canadian regions, facilitating sustainable, affordable, and reliable grid expansion.
- In December 2023, Natural Resources Canada’s (NRCan) Energy Innovation Program (EIP) issued its inaugural National Energy Systems Modelling Call for Proposals. The funding assists projects that use quantitative modelling to assess how innovative technologies can contribute to cutting emissions and meeting Canada’s net-zero goals.
- The EIP promotes the development of clean energy technologies that will support a competitive, reliable, and affordable energy system as Canada shifts to a low-carbon economy.
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