POLAR enters new research partnership with Nordic Energy Research

In December 2025, Nordic Energy Research and Polar Knowledge Canada (POLAR) announced a new Memorandum of Understanding to collaborate on renewable energy solutions across the Arctic.

The partnership supports knowledge exchange between the Nordic and Canadian Arctic to advance long-term solutions for reliable and sustainable energy supply in northern communities.

The collaboration follows a recent joint statement from the Prime Ministers of Canada and the Nordic countries reaffirming commitment to collectively expand and scale-up clean energy technologies that reduce reliance on imported fuel sources in the Arctic. Clean energy initiatives are taking place in all northern sectors in response to complex challenges facing both Canadian and Nordic Arctic regions: effects of climate change, dependency on imported goods, geopolitical uncertainty, economic development, social service delivery in remote areas and more. Common among these is a need for reliable and secure renewable energy systems, the ability to develop and maintain them and investment to ensure their long-term sustainability.

These priorities are shared by both Canada and the Nordic countries and there is mutual interest in achieving deeper understanding of best practices and opportunities in community-scale renewable energy projects in the Arctic. With the aim of further cooperation, POLAR and Nordic Energy Research are working together to fund an initial project that will develop a joint knowledge base for informing research and policy decisions in both regions.

The Government of Canada recognizes the vast economic and renewable energy potential of the North, as well as the critical role the region plays in sovereignty and security. Like Canada, the Nordic countries are aware of the need to invest in cold-climate innovation, renewable energy and northern economic collaboration. Building relationships with likeminded partners allows increased access to data on this shared priority, improving outcomes for all parties. This new partnership between POLAR and Nordic Energy Research is a positive first step in jointly pursuing shared Arctic priorities with allied countries.

Read more about the partnership here: New Nordic–Canada partnership on Arctic energy security - Nordic Energy Research