Manitoba Hydro announced that Jay Grewal is leaving the Crown utility after five years in the position. In addition, Manitoba Hydro-Electric Board Chair Ben Graham said that Hal Turner, the utility’s current Vice-President of Asset Planning and Delivery, will act as interim president and CEO effective immediately. Turner joined Manitoba Hydro in 1995.
Graham said the utility is at a critical juncture, facing key decisions on how best to meet Manitoba’s energy needs in the future, and the board decided it was time for a fresh perspective on those decisions.
Graham said the board conducted an internal leadership analysis shortly after it was appointed. The analysis included Manitoba Hydro leadership’s alignment with the board’s mandate which includes keeping rates low, collaborating with Indigenous communities, supporting its workers, sharing a commitment to Manitoba’s economic development, and keeping the utility public.
“One of the board’s most important responsibilities is to ensure we have the leadership in place to successfully guide Manitoba Hydro into the future and keep life affordable for Manitobans,” Graham said.
“On behalf of the board, I want to thank Jay Grewal for her contribution to the utility. She helped steer Hydro through a global pandemic and other significant changes.
“Today’s decision does not change the fact Manitoba Hydro, as one of the greenest electricity producers in Canada, is starting from an excellent position to navigate the challenges of decarbonizing our economy and meeting the growing demand for clean energy,” Graham said.
Graham said the board will begin a comprehensive internal and external search for a new president and CEO immediately. The Canadian consulting firm MNP will assist the corporation in the search.
