Decentralised Energy Canada (DEC) is a federally incorporated, non-profit industry association dedicated to advancing decentralized energy innovation and sustainability nationwide. Established in 2002, DEC has become Canada’s market access hub for the decentralized energy sector, uniting stakeholders from government, industry and communities to facilitate the shift toward cleaner, more resilient and affordable energy systems. The association’s mission is to disrupt the energy status quo and create opportunities for local energy solutions by convening, educating and engaging stakeholders across the country.
DEC was created by a group of forward-thinking industry leaders who saw the need for an organization that could spearhead the transition to a reliable, sustainable and competitive energy system. In its early years, decentralized energy was still little-known in Canada, so DEC focused on building a unified community of early adopters and assembling vital market intelligence. Over two decades, the organization has grown a diverse network of more than 10,000 engaged stakeholders spanning the full energy value chain. This makes DEC one of Canada’s most inclusive and successful energy networks, and the only national network devoted exclusively to decentralized energy. Its membership includes many of the country’s pioneering sustainable energy experts, all collaborating to drive a cleaner and more efficient energy future for Canadian communities.
In its ongoing role, DEC serves as a bridge between clean energy innovators, industry players and policy-makers. It provides a platform for startups, entrepreneurs, corporations and investors to work together and accelerate the growth of decentralized energy solutions. DEC’s services range from offering market insights and training programs to helping organizations implement on-site renewable energy projects. By connecting its extensive network and sharing expertise, DEC functions as a catalyst that brings cutting-edge technologies and ideas to market. The association’s vision is a strong and accessible decentralized energy industry that drives the transition to a sustainable, resilient and affordable energy future.
Beyond its core networking and advocacy activities, DEC plays a prominent role as a program administrator for initiatives that support clean energy deployment. The organization often partners with government agencies, municipalities and industry stakeholders to design and deliver funding programs aligned with its mission. It leads innovation challenges that provide small and medium-sized enterprises with support to overcome commercialization barriers and pilot new decentralized energy technologies. It also manages community-based programs that empower local — including rural and Indigenous — communities to launch their own renewable energy generation projects by engaging decision-makers and overcoming project hurdles. On the international front, DEC runs initiatives to connect Canadian clean technology companies with global opportunities, such as trade missions and partnerships that link Canadian expertise to microgrid projects abroad. In addition, DEC champions workforce development in the sustainable energy sector through programs that showcase career opportunities and highlight leading sustainable energy employers, in line with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. Through these diverse programs and partnerships, DEC acts as a trusted intermediary and catalyst, channeling financial support, knowledge and connections to accelerate the growth of Canada’s decentralized energy ecosystem.
