Commentaries
The Atlantica Centre for Energy is committed to helping foster sustainable growth related to energy opportunities in Atlantic Canada by proactively engaging with industry, the education and research sectors, government, and the public. The Centre’s commentaries reflect on various energy topics and are part of our mandate to facilitate dialogue while increasing energy literacy in the region.
Bioheat: A Reliable and Efficient Way to Reduce Electrical Grid Pressure in the Maritimes
A commentary by Jonathan Levesque, General Manager of Biomass Solutions Biomasse (BSB) and Wood Pellet Association of Canada Board Member. A related commentary first appeared on Canadian Biomass Magazine website on July 20, 2026. .
Will Energy Become Atlantic Canada’s Limiting Factor?
Commentary by Michelle Robichaud, President of the Atlantica Centre for Energy. A few weeks ago, I was trying to explain to one of my daughters why I spend so much time talking about energy
Energy and Growth: is New Brunswick ready for what comes next?
Commentary by Monica Justason, President and CEO of the New Brunswick Business Council. The NB Power Comprehensive Review arrives at a consequential moment. The province is navigating real economic pressures like rising costs, a
Opinion: N.B.’s energy future depends on integrated strategies, not single solutions
Decisive action needed, but that action will be strongest when it is built on collaboration across all utilities - Gilles Volpé This commentary first appeared in The Telegraph Journal on March 11, 2026
New data on Atlantic Canada’s offshore wind opportunity
There is a lot of excitement around the potential for offshore wind energy in Nova Scotia and elsewhere across the Atlantic, and rightfully so. On February 4, 2026, Premier Tim Houston and Massachusetts Governor,
The cost of fear
Commentary by Michelle Robichaud, President, Atlantica Centre for Energy. This commentary appeared in the Telegraph Journal on January 23, 2026 and in The Chronicle Herald on January 24, 2026. Fear can be a powerful
The importance of energy security to New Brunswickers
A commentary by Lori Clark, President and CEO of NB Power. This commentary appeared in the Northumberland Free Press on January 10, 2026 and in the Telegraph Journal on January 12, 2026. It is shared
Opinion: What if pursuing carbon-free electricity does more harm than good?
By Bruce Lourie, C.M. - President of the Ivey Foundation and a professor of practice at the Trottier Institute for Sustainability in Engineering and Design, McGill University. First published on December 14, 2025, in The
Gas turbine project helps power the New Brunswick economy
By Michelle Robichaud - President, Atlantica Centre for Energy. This commentary first appeared in the Telegraph Journal on November 30, 2025. Energy projects don’t just power homes, energy powers the economy. By building a
Indigenous leadership is reshaping Atlantic Canada’s energy future
Commentary by Michelle Robichaud. The fourth annual Atlantic Indigenous-Led Energy Symposium was held from October 28 to 30 in Moncton. The event showcased a level of momentum and leadership in the energy sector that
UNB’s Centre for Nuclear Energy Research (CNER) opens state-of-the-art Advanced Nuclear Reactors Laboratory.
University of New Brunswick. On July 30th, 2025, the Centre for Nuclear Energy Research (CNER) at the University of New Brunswick cut the ribbon on the Advanced Nuclear Reactors
Anchoring Atlantic Canada’s future with clean energy
Commentary by Michelle Robichaud, President Atlantic Canada is often left out of national energy conversations—but that’s a costly oversight. The region is uniquely positioned to lead a new wave of nation-building projects for Canada.