Nova Scotia Power’s parent company Emera’s President and CEO Scott Balfour joins host Francis Bradley for a conversation about Emera’s growth from a privatized Crown Corporation in Nova Scotia to a major North American energy player with operations in Canada, Florida, New Mexico, Grand Bahama, and Barbados. They discuss the challenges of balancing reliability, sustainability, and affordability in the energy sector, and differences in rates of return. Scott emphasized the need for honest conversations about the costs of decarbonization and the importance of nation-building projects. The conversation closes with Scott’s book recommendation.

Links:

Emera

Nova Scotia Power

TECO Tampa Electric

Scott Balfour at Emera

Scott Balfour on LinkedIn

Book recommendation:

• The Coming Wave, by Mustafa Suleyman and Michael Bhaskar: https://the-coming-wave.com/

Toronto Hydro’s President and CEO Jana Mosley joins host Francis Bradley for a conversation about Toronto Hydro’s role in ensuring electricity service to more than 3 million homes and businesses in Toronto. They talk about Hydro’s plan to invest $5 billion over the next five years to modernize its grid, address rising electricity demand, and support a number of major city projects. Jana emphasizes the importance of safety, cost-effectiveness, and technological innovation in grid modernization. They also discuss the challenges of project development, the need for regulatory reforms, and the company's alignment with the city’s net zero strategy. The conversation closes with Jana’s book recommendation.

Links:

Toronto Hydro

Jana Mosley at Toronto Hydro

Jana Mosley on LinkedIn

Book recommendation:

• Strengths Finder 2.0, by Tom Rath

Toronto Hydro’s President and CEO Jana Mosley joins host Francis Bradley for a conversation about Toronto Hydro’s role in ensuring electricity service to more than 3 million homes and businesses in Toronto. They talk about Hydro’s plan to invest $5 billion over the next five years to modernize its grid, address rising electricity demand, and support a number of major city projects. Jana emphasizes the importance of safety, cost-effectiveness, and technological innovation in grid modernization. They also discuss the challenges of project development, the need for regulatory reforms, and the company's alignment with the city’s net zero strategy. The conversation closes with Jana’s book recommendation.

Links:

Toronto Hydro

Jana Mosley at Toronto Hydro

Jana Mosley on LinkedIn

Book recommendation:

• Strengths Finder 2.0, by Tom Rath

New Brunswick Power Inc. President and CEO Lori Clark joins host Francis Bradley for a conversation about NB Power’s diverse energy portfolio, including the only Canadian nuclear facility outside of Ontario. They talk about the objective to be coal-free by 2030, and the conversion of the remaining coal plant to biomass. Lori highlights the challenges of managing a very diverse generation fleet, and the plan for a 500-megawatt gas plant by 2028 to meet growing demand. They also talk about the importance of energy security and affordability. The conversation closes with Lori’s book recommendation.

Links:

New Brunswick Power

Belledune Clean Fuel Project

Lori Clark on LinkedIn

Book recommendation:

• How Big Things Get Done: The Surprising Factors That Determine the Fate of Every Project, from Home Renovations to Space Exploration and Everything In Between, by Bent Flyvbjerg and Dan Gardner

ATCO Energy Systems Chief Operating Officer Jason Sharpe joins host Francis Bradley for a conversation about the electricity and natural gas business in Alberta, from the perspective of a regulated utility company. Jason highlights the challenges posed by wildfires and the need for operational resilience. They also discuss the importance of attracting talent to the energy sector and the potential impact of data centres on energy demand and costs. They close the conversation with Jason’s book recommendation.

Links:

ATCO Energy Systems

ATCO Electric

Jason Sharpe on LinkedIn

Book recommendation:

• The Ride of a Lifetime: Lessons Learned from 15 Years as CEO of the Walt Disney Company, by Robert Iger https://www.penguinrandomhouse.ca/books/556683/the-ride-of-a-lifetime-by-robert-iger/9780399592096

Atlantica Centre’s President Michelle Robichaud discusses with host Francis Bradley the organization's role in fostering energy collaboration in Atlantic Canada. The centre brings together industry, government, academia, and the public to shape energy policy and improve energy literacy. They talk about the region's unique energy landscape, and Michelle emphasizes the need for a unified Atlantic energy vision to address challenges like energy affordability and reliability, regional cooperation and long-term planning. Their conversation also touches on the importance of public support and education in driving the energy transition, and they close the conversation with Michelle’s book recommendation.

Links:

Atlantica Centre for Energy

Michelle Robichaud on LinkedIn

Book recommendation:

• Toward Prosperity: The Transformation of Atlantic Canada's Economy, by David Campbell and Don Mills

Northwest Territories Power Corporation’s President and CEO Cory Strang discusses with host Francis Bradley the operations, challenges, and future plans of the company. They discuss the need for infrastructure upgrades, including the expansion of the Tatlson hydro facility and the opportunity to connect the South and North systems in the territory. They chat about the impact of climate change on operations, and the importance of Indigenous partnerships. Cory also shares his journey from a summer student to CEO, and they close the conversation with Cory’s book recommendation.

Links:

Northwest Territories Power Corporation

Taltson Hydro Expansion Project

Cory Strang on LinkedIn

Book recommendation:

• Your Oxygen Mask First: 17 Habits to Help High Achievers Survive & Thrive in Leadership & Life, by Kevin N. Lawrence

President and CEO Ernest Douglas of Qulliq Energy Corporation discusses with host Francis Bradley the difficulties of supplying electricity in Nunavut’s 25 diesel-powered microgrids. He outlines the company's shift toward renewable energy through upcoming solar, wind, and hydro projects, and highlights challenges like logistics, local involvement, and housing shortages. Douglas stresses the need for innovative solutions, such as perhaps one-day small modular reactors, to reduce diesel dependence and environmental impact. The discussion ends with a book suggestion.

Links:

Qulliq Energy

Ernest Douglas on LinkedIn

Book recommendation:

Leaders Eat Last: Why Some Teams Pull Together and Others Don't, by Simon Sinek

Former President and CEO of BC Hydro Chris O’Riley joins host Francis Bradley for a reflection on his 35 years at BC Hydro, from his start as an Engineer in Training at the hydro plant at Campbell River and the redevelopment the John Hart Generating Station, through a number of other transformative projects up to the recently completed Site C dam and generating station. They talk about BC Hydro's evolution, including its increased complexity and focus on customer service. Chris also highlights Hydro’s growing partnerships with First Nations, such as the Northwest Transmission Line project, which involves joint ownership. Chris also reflects on the future of BC Hydro and gives his take on the new leadership at the company. They close the conversation with a book recommendation.

Links:

BC Hydro

BC Hydro Executive Team

Site C

Chris O’Riley on LinkedIn

Book recommendation:

• Moral Ambition: Stop Wasting Your Talent and Start Making a Difference, by Rutger Bregman:

Grid Modernization Leader at Capgemini Canada Andrea Nuesser joins host Francis Bradley for a discussion about Capgemini’s role in the electricity sector and in the energy transition. They talk about grid modernization, incorporating new technologies to build a more affordable, resilient, and cleaner grid. They discuss technologies like Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) for real-time data, and non-wires alternatives. They also unpack challenges, including regulatory uncertainty and cultural resistance, and the promise of artificial intelligence (AI) and its potential to play a significant role in analyzing vast data and improving decision-making. They close the conversation with a book recommendation.

Links:

Capgemini Canada

Andrea Nuesser on LinkedIn

Book recommendation:

• Atlas of the Heart: Mapping Meaningful Connection and the Language of Human Experience, by Brené Brown