June 8, 2012 – Ontario says it is taking the next step in its Clean Energy Economic Development Strategy with the launch of the Clean Energy Institute, which aims to create more new jobs in the clean energy sector.

“The new institute will bring together industry leaders and utility companies to build on Ontario’s strengths in smart grid technologies and other clean energy innovations,” says the government. “Created in partnership with MaRS, the institute will help support and expand domestic and international business opportunities and position Ontario to capitalize on a $250-billion clean energy industry.”

Today, more than 200 clean energy players met at the MaRS Future of Energy Summit to exchange ideas about how to leverage Ontario’s clean energy expertise to global markets and create jobs. The summit focused on five themes: using the power of clean energy data; designing the grid of the future; combining different energy sources and uses; examining emerging energy generation and storage technologies; and supporting the commercialization of new energy technology.

“Global investment in clean energy projects is expected to mobilize nearly $7 trillion of new capital over the next 20 years,” said Dr. Ilse Treurnicht, CEO, MaRS Discovery District. “By combining Ontario’s robust energy innovation pipeline with the collaborative efforts of public and private industry stakeholders, I believe this province is on track to become a leading exporter of the next generation of energy technologies.”

The government insists that, for every 10,000 construction jobs created by the clean energy sector, almost $500 million in economic activity flows back into Ontario communities. It also claims the more than 4.7 million smart meters installed in the province are helping electric utilities pinpoint and respond more quickly to power outages.