Ontario appoints CEO to new Ontario Power Authority

TORONTO, ONTARIO - The McGuinty government continues to address the province's electricity supply issues with the creation of the Ontario Power Authority (OPA) and the appointment of its first Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Jan Carr.

"The OPA will be responsible for ensuring an adequate, long-term supply of electricity in Ontario, which is critical to the province's continued growth and prosperity," said Minister of Energy, Dwight Duncan. "This is the first organization of its kind in Ontario. I have great confidence that Jan will successfully lead the OPA and help us restore balance and stability to Ontario's electricity sector."

Carr has worked in the electricity sector for more than 30 years and comes to the OPA from the Ontario Energy Board, where he was vice chair. Previously, he was managing director of Barker, Dunn and Rossi, a management consulting firm specializing in electricity strategy, finance and policy. Carr has also been an advisor to many stakeholder organizations with respect to Ontario's electricity market.

In his new role, Carr will oversee key responsibilities the province has outlined for the OPA, including:

- Assessing the long-term adequacy of electricity resources;

- Forecasting future demand and the potential for conservation and renewable energy;

- Preparing an integrated system plan for conservation, generation, transmission;

- Procuring new supply, transmission and demand management either by competition or by contract, when necessary;

- Achieving the targets set by government for conservation and renewable energy.

"The OPA will play a crucial role in addressing the growing gap between supply and demand in a coordinated and responsible way ," said Carr. "I'm looking forward to the opportunity to lead this effort."

The OPA will operate independently and as a non-profit corporation. Licensed by the Ontario Energy Board, it will report to the legislature through the Ministry of Energy.