PEI’s Energy Future Runs Through the Trades
By Abhilash Kantamneni, Director of Government Relations, HRAI
Prince Edward Island just published its new Energy Strategy for the next decade. Here’s what stood out to me as possible opportunities (and a few challenges) for the HVACR industry serving the Island.
Electrification is coming, and fast
About one-third of PEI homes still rely on heating oil. The province’s strategy puts ‘beneficial electrification’ at the center of its plan. That means switching homes and businesses to heat pumps and efficient electric systems where it makes sense. It also means doing it in ways that reduce total energy use, not just swapping one heating source for another.
For the HVACR industry, this will mean a shift toward whole-home thinking and not just a wave of equipment replacements. Contractors will need to focus on right-sized systems, better building envelopes, and smart controls that cut peak demand and improve comfort. These approaches will help keep the grid stable while lowering emissions and energy costs.
At HRAI, we are developing training programs and digital tools to help contractors streamline retrofit projects and design for whole-home performance. HVAC professionals are often the first in the door and trusted advisors to homeowners. By leading with HVAC and designing for complete home retrofits, contractors can shape smarter, more resilient homes and communities on the Island.
Preparing the workforce for what's next
PEI’s new energy strategy doesn’t assume the skilled workforce will just “show up.” This is not a “build it and they will come” situation. The plan calls for direct investment in training, certification, and recruitment to make sure the province has the people needed to deliver on its clean energy goals. That includes programs to bring more women, Indigenous peoples, and workers from non-traditional backgrounds into the trades.
We’re already seeing what that kind of innovation looks like. The Construction Association of PEI is leading by example through its hands-on, out-of-classroom training programs for Net Zero construction and related trades. They’re showing that practical and applied learning can help more Islanders from non-traditional backgrounds build the skills needed for the transition ahead.
At HRAI, I see a major opportunity to complement this vision. As demand for heat pumps and residential retrofits grows, the industry will need to expand its workforce, both by attracting new entrants and by retraining experienced technicians from sister trades such as oil heating, gas fitting, and electrical. Supporting these transitions is part of a broader workforce development strategy that values existing expertise while aligning skills with the clean energy economy.
A two-tiered residential trade designation could help make this possible. Similar approaches are already underway in Ontario and Manitoba, where a residential-focused pathway allows new workers to enter the field safely, and productively, while maintaining high technical standards. This model provides a clear progression route beginning with residential HVAC and advancing toward a full refrigeration and air conditioning licence over time.
PEI can start by assessing the skills of its existing tradespeople to identify gaps and opportunities in real job settings. Those insights can guide targeted training, strengthen apprenticeship programs, and build confidence across the workforce.
HRAI’s Heat Pump Skills Gap Assessment supports this kind of evidence-based planning. The first phase, completed in Ontario, mapped workforce readiness for heat pump installation. The next phase, now being developed for PEI as part of a broader initiative across the Atlantic provinces and BC, will help ensure the Island has the data, training, and trade structure needed to grow its HVAC workforce strategically and sustainably.
If you’re interested in getting involved or partnering on this effort, please reach out to me at akantamneni@hrai.ca
Smarter grid calls for smarter HVACR
As electricity demand grows, PEI is planning major investments in grid upgrades, energy storage, and load flexibility. Smart meters, time-of-use rates, and programs that reward buildings for managing demand intelligently are all on the horizon. The strategy also signals that future housing may need to be electrification- and EV-ready.
This is where the HVACR sector can lead. By integrating smart thermostats, demand-response-ready equipment, and grid-interactive systems, contractors can help customers stay comfortable while also providing valuable services to the grid. This is an opportunity for PEI to invest in homegrown talent. This will mean technicians and businesses who can deploy, innovate, and service these systems across the Maritimes and beyond. Building local capacity in this space will strengthen energy reliability and create long-term competitive advantage for Island-based HVACR companies.
The strategy is also right to highlight energy poverty, which remains among the highest in Canada, with 26 percent of households spending a disproportionate share of income on energy. The Island is no stranger to power disruptions either, as seen during recent storms. Balancing strategic grid investments with efforts to retrofit older homes and keep energy affordable will be a challenge. However, therein lies the opportunity - to align reliability, resilience, and workforce development in PEI’s energy future.
As I read through PEI’s energy strategy, I’m reminded that the real work to bring this vision to life will be local and hands-on. The future of energy on the Island will be wired, ducted, commissioned, and built by the people in vans and trucks who keep our communities running. At HRAI, I’m looking forward to helping ensure those tradespeople are supported, equipped, and ready - so that the first steps of this strategy can turn into real action on the ground.
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