Waterpower Industry Gathers at POWC 2026 as Made‑in‑Ontario Waterpower Prepares for a New Era of Growth

Press Release

May 7, 2026 – Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON – The Ontario Waterpower Association (OWA) today opened the 2026 Power of Water Canada Technical Conference and Trade Show, welcoming over 500 delegates and 85 exhibitors, the largest attendance in the event’s 26-year history. The growth of the conference reflects the strength, momentum, and optimism across Ontario’s waterpower sector as the province prepares for its most significant period of hydroelectric investment in more than a decade.

“Ontario needs more power, and our government’s Integrated Energy Plan is delivering it,” said Honourable Stephen Lecce, Minister of Energy and Mines. “For the first time in a decade, Ontario is investing in net-new hydro and re-contracting our existing assets by launching the Northern Hydro Program. These investments will secure reliable, affordable, and clean electricity for families and businesses across the province. Our government is doubling down on made in Canada energy that will electrify Ontario for another century.”

In his opening keynote address, Honourable Mike Harris, Minister of Natural Resources, emphasized the essential role of waterpower in meeting Ontario’s future electricity needs. “Waterpower makes up a quarter of Ontario’s electricity supply and as we continue to move forward with our plan to protect Ontario by building a more competitive economy, hydro electricity projects on public lands will help meet our long-term energy needs,” said Hon. Mike Harris. “The Ministry of Natural Resources will continue to work with the Ontario Waterpower Association to speed up the approvals needed to build and operate waterpower facilities across the province.”

These remarks come at a time when Ontario is advancing concrete measures to accelerate waterpower investment and development providing long-term contract certainty for existing facilities and creating the first opportunity in a decade to build new ‘Made in Ontario’ waterpower.

The POWC conference brings together the full breadth of the waterpower industry, from generators, product and service providers, Indigenous partners, utilities, municipalities, and developers.

“The companies gathered here today are the ones who will modernize existing assets and build the next generation of waterpower,” said Paul Norris, President of the OWA. “Their expertise and investment are central to the growth soon to be underway in our sector.”

About OWA

The OWA is a not-for-profit, member-based organization promoting the sustainable development of waterpower resources in Ontario. Since 2001, the OWA has been representing the common and collective interests of the waterpower industry.

For more information on the Ontario Waterpower Association, visit www.owa.ca.

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Contact:
Paul Norris
President
Ontario Waterpower Association
Email: pnorris@owa.ca

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