May 26, 2025 | St. John’s, NL — Foresight Canada and econext are excited to announce Angler Solutions as the winner of the Clean Energy Optimization Innovation Challenge, funded in part by RBC. Angler Solutions has developed MESO (Model for Energy Systems Optimization), a proprietary software tool that integrates advanced geographic information system (GIS) mapping, environmental data, and scenario modelling to support informed decision making when implementing renewable energy projects.
As the Challenge winners, Angler Solutions will receive a $50,000 CAD cash prize to advance their technology, connect with industry partners exploring cleantech adoption, and collaborate with econext to support the growth of Newfoundland and Labrador’s green economy. The Challenge received numerous strong applications, including from runner-up Copsys, all with innovative solutions to optimize clean energy production in remote areas.
Newfoundland and Labrador is rapidly emerging as a global hub for clean energy production, thanks to its nearly 100% renewable electricity grid, significant energy storage potential, untapped clean energy resources, existing port infrastructure, and a skilled workforce. As Canada’s East Coast continues to scale its renewable energy output, this Challenge will help reduce the costs and improve the performance and reliability of clean energy infrastructure across remote regions of Newfoundland and Labrador. This is essential for the long-term success of future projects in the province, improving financial viability and minimizing environmental impacts.
Quotes
“Congratulations to Angler Solutions! Newfoundland and Labrador is already excelling in renewable energy adoption, with a strong foundation in hydroelectric power, and a growing focus on new opportunities like wind and green hydrogen. We can’t wait to see how your solution accelerates progress in building a sustainable and resilient energy sector in the region, contributing to both our environmental and economic goals.” — Jeanette Jackson, CEO, Foresight
“We’re honoured to be recognized as the winner of the econext Clean Energy Infrastructure Optimization Challenge. This achievement validates the hard work of our team at Angler Solutions and the impact of our novel software platform, MESO, or Model for Energy Systems Optimization. MESO enables smarter planning and decision-making for renewable energy projects, optimizing early-stage design and long-term reliability in remote and complex environments. We are deeply grateful for the support from econext, Foresight, ACOA, RBC, and our industry partners. Their backing accelerates MESO’s development as we prepare for full commercialization in early 2026, bringing resilient, low-carbon energy solutions to market where they are needed most.” — Chad LaFitte, Manager of Innovation, Angler Solutions Inc.
“This challenge showcased the depth of clean energy innovation across Canada. Angler Solutions stood out with a technically advanced solution tailored to the infrastructure needs and opportunities here in Newfoundland and Labrador. We’re proud to support their journey with Foresight Canada and our industry partners.” — Colin Corbett, Director, Clean Energy Innovation, econext
Addressing the Adoption Gap
While North America is home to many accelerators, a significant gap remains in supporting the adoption of cleantech solutions. Recognizing the need to bridge innovators with industry leaders, Foresight introduced the Innovation Challenge program. To date, Foresight has conducted over 65 challenges, establishing itself as the only North American accelerator linking cleantech ventures with end users. These targeted challenges aim to connect national and international buyers with innovative solutions that enhance efficiency, profitability, and environmental sustainability, thereby addressing the adoption gap for innovators.
Learn more about Foresight’s Innovation Challenges.
Angler Solutions
Angler Solutions is an innovation-driven consulting firm with international experience providing strategic advisory and project delivery services across the evolving energy and ocean technology sectors.
Angler’s experience and knowledge built up in the oil & gas arena provides a unique set of transferable skills applicable to the energy transition taking place globally. Angler has specialist expertise in R&D, technological innovation, techno-economic analysis, and a broad range of skill sets in support of early-stage project development and execution in pursuit of solving some of the most challenging energy problems.
Angler has a strong network of established relationships with industry, funding institutions, government agencies, academia, and the overall innovation ecosystem.
About econext
econext is a not-for-profit association with a mission to accelerate clean growth in Newfoundland and Labrador by: (1) stimulating research, development, and innovation; (2) preparing its workforce for a greening economy; and (3) acting as a catalyst for climate change action within its industries, businesses, and communities.
econext has been working for over 30 years on behalf of its members across many sectors to support environmentally sustainable economic development. More information can be found at https://econext.ca.
About Foresight Canada
Foresight Canada helps the world do more with less, sustainably. As Canada’s largest cleantech innovation and adoption accelerator, they connect public and private sectors to the world’s best clean technologies, de-risking and simplifying the adoption of innovative solutions that improve productivity, profitability, and economic competitiveness, all while addressing today’s most urgent climate challenges.
Media contacts:
Heather Kingdon
Manager, Communications, Foresight Canada
Chelsie Cake
Marketing and Communications Lead, econext
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