About

The Ontario Waterpower Association (OWA) is a not-for-profit, member-based organization promoting the sustainable development of waterpower resources in Ontario. Since 2001, the OWA has been representing the common and collective interests of the waterpower industry. To date, membership has grown to over 160 organizations. Our membership includes generators, engineering firms, environmental consultants, equipment suppliers, manufacturers, legal, project financing and insurance firms, Indigenous communities, and other organizations, all sharing the common interest of advancing waterpower in Ontario.

Our Vision

Waterpower is valued by governments, communities and citizens for the electricity, economic, environmental and social contributions it makes to the province and as a catalyst for Ontario’s transition to the achievement of Electrification and Decarbonization objectives.

Our Mission

To Inform public policy and public opinion to maintain, enhance and build investment opportunities for members of our industry in the communities and regions of Ontario within which they work.

Our Goals

To sustain and enhance the significant contributions of Ontario’s existing waterpower assets.

To provide new opportunities for waterpower development and industry growth across the province.

Our Strategic Plan

Our Staff

The OWA’s 2025-2027 Strategic Plan “Accelerating Ontario’s Electrification” speaks to a new urgency for the organization that reflects the new era of opportunity for waterpower in accelerating Ontario’s electrification. This is an unprecedented time in Ontario’s electricity sector to advance waterpower as a solution to our emergent and enduring energy needs and decarbonization goals.

The OWA looks forward, with the support of the membership, to putting this Strategic Plan into action.

Staff

Paul Norris

President

Paul Norris

President

Paul Norris is the President of the OWA. Under Paul’s leadership the OWA has grown to include over one hundred and fifty (150) members with a shared commitment to the advancement of environmentally sustainable economic development and resource management. Paul has a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Toronto and is a graduate of Ryerson’s Public Administration Program. He holds an MBA from Queen’s University and the Certified Association Executive designation.

Phone:705-743-1500 ext. 22
Email:info@owa.ca

Jessica Worosz

Events Manager

Jessica Worosz

Events Manager

Jessica is the OWA’s Event Manager. Jessica has over 9 years of experience in event management and marketing within the not-for-profit sector. Jessica leads the planning and execution of all OWA events, including the annual Power of Water Canada Conference, facility tours, educational workshops and upcoming Hydro and Hops.

Phone:289-685-3035
Email:jworosz@owa.ca

Hailey McFadden

Member Relations Coordinator

Hailey McFadden

Member Relations Coordinator

Hailey is the OWA's Member Relations Coordinator. Hailey holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from Trent University with a special interest in Indigenous Studies. Hailey has several years of experience working in the not-for-profit sector in B2B capacities in organizations such as the CFIB, the Lindsay Agricultural Society, and most recently the Peterborough & Kawartha Chamber of Commerce. She brings with her a wealth of knowledge in account management, business-to-business relations, and event management.

Phone:705-743-1500 ext.23
Email:hmcfadden@owa.ca

Jan Fonseca

Communications and Community Outreach Manager

Jan Fonseca

Communications and Community Outreach Manager

Jan Fonseca is the Communications and Community Outreach Manager for the OWA. Jan leads the development of communications and outreach materials to foster and expand support for waterpower. Additionally, Jan is responsible for coordinating OWA’s social media platforms. Jan holds a Masters degree in Environmental Science from the University of Guelph.

Phone:705-743-1500 ext. 25
Email:jfonseca@owa.ca

Eric Ashbury

Digital Media and Events Coordinator

Eric Ashbury

Digital Media and Events Coordinator

Eric is the OWA’s Digital Media and Events Coordinator (Intern). He is responsible for the design and coordination of various communication materials and the Association’s website. Additionally, Eric is the onsite coordinator for the Power of Water Canada trade show. He is currently pursuing his BA in Communications, at the University of Ottawa.

Email:eashbury@owa.ca

Board

Nicholas Pender

Chair

Nicholas Pender

Chair

Nick is the Vice President of Niagara Operations at Ontario Power Generation (OPG)
Nick Pender is the Senior Vice President, Renewable Generation (RG) at Ontario Power Generation (OPG). Nick leads a 1,300-person, multi-disciplinary team that manages operations, public and dam safety, asset reliability and a large capital investment program. Nick’s oversight spans RG's fleet, which includes one solar facility, two thermal stations, and 66 hydroelectric stations with 239 dams across 24 river systems, collectively generating 35 TWh of power from 10,000 MW of capacity. Prior to this role, Nick had accountability for power-generating facilities as the Vice President (VP) of Niagara Operations, including the flagship Sir Adam Beck Complex in Niagara, and hydro facilities in the St. Catharines, Gravenhurst and Campbellford regions. In previous roles at OPG, Nick was the VP of Energy Markets and had responsibility for the strategy and performance of all energy market activities in Ontario, the 24/7 power control centre for the fleet and trading activities in the US Northeast. Nick has broad strategic, energy market, contract and operations experience with leading UK, European and Canadian generators. Nick currently chairs the Board of Ontario Water Association, is on the board for several First Nation Partnership generating assets and supports his local community through a not-for-profit board with Skate Oakville.

John B. Wynsma

Vice-Chair

John B. Wynsma

Vice-Chair

President & CEO, Peterborough Utilities Inc.
John has been involved in the waterpower industry for over thirty years in a variety of roles: consultant, project manager, business development and senior management. His experience encompasses diverse regions including Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia and the Philippines; and a wide range of hydroelectric technologies. John has led the growth of the Peterborough Utilities renewable generation portfolio from 6 MW to approximately 50 MW, including the successful development and expansion of a number of waterpower projects under various IESO programs. John has been an active member of the Ontario Waterpower Association (OWA) for many years, participating as a panelist in numerous Power of Water Canada conference sessions, and as a member of the OWA team responsible for negotiating HCI contracts with the IESO.

Bonnie Hiltz

Corporate Secretary

Bonnie Hiltz

Corporate Secretary

Vice President, Energy, and the Environment, Sussex Strategy
Bonnie Hiltz has over a decade and a half of experience working in Ontario’s electricity sector. Since 2005, Bonnie has been intimately involved with the evolution of electricity supply policies, having worked at both the Ministry of Energy and the Ontario Power Authority (now the IESO). She has contributed to the design and implementation of the coal phase-out strategy and multiple supply procurements for renewable and gas generation. She was also involved in contract management functions for billions of dollars of supply agreements with the OPA/IESO. Bonnie left the public sector in 2014 to oversee Government and Regulatory Affairs for a major international utility and energy services provider. In this role, she advised on supply and de-carbonization policies and assisted business development efforts across Canada. In her current role as Vice President in the Energy and Environment group at Sussex Strategy, Bonnie serves a number of clients in the energy sector as they navigate the complex government and regulatory environment. Bonnie has previously served on the Boards of the Canadian Solar Industries Association and the Canadian Wind Energy Association (now merged as the Canadian Renewable Energy Association). She has an M.A. in International Relations and Political Science from the Munk School of Global Affairs, University of Toronto. She is fluent in French and Spanish and has lived in the United States, France, Switzerland and Costa Rica.

James Carter

Treasurer

James Carter

Treasurer

Vice President, Development & Operations, Regional Power
Mr. Carter has more than 18 years of experience in the independent power industry and has focused primarily on the development, permitting, construction, and operations of hydroelectric generating facilities. Since 2002 he has developed, permitted, and is now responsible for operating 51 MW of generating capacity for Regional Power. He has also permitted a 25 MW development-stage project, and two projects (19 MW total) which are under construction and will be complete in early 2016. James also manages Capstone Infrastructure’s portfolio of operating hydro sites totaling 36 MW and is actively pursuing new business development opportunities in the international renewable energy space for partnership, development, or investment by Regional Power.pment, or investment by Regional Power.

Stephen Somerville

Director

Stephen Somerville

Director

Vice President, Corporate Development and Investor Relations, H2O Power LP.
Stephen has worked in the power industry for 21 years, including all types of hydro, natural gas-fired generation, wind, solar, biomass, and biogas. Stephen leads and executes H2O’s growth strategy; he is responsible for the acquisition, development, and financing of hydroelectric projects across North America. Stephen lead multi-disciplinary teams in the successful acquisition of sixteen U.S. hydro facilities representing almost 1,400 MW of nameplate capacity. Previously, Stephen was a Vice President with Competitive Power Ventures (“CPV”), Inc. where he was responsible for the development of all CPV’s natural gas-fired power generation development projects (and associated natural gas pipeline and transmission lines) and large scale wind projects, across Canada. Prior to joining CPV, Stephen was a member of the Probyn & Company and Clean Power Income Fund team responsible for business development and acquisitions. Stephen has experience working with the IESO, the Ministry of Energy, and various First Nations Groups across Canada and is a member of the Board of both the Association of Power Producers of Ontario (“APPrO”) and Ontario Water Power Association (OWA). Stephen has also been the APPrO Annual Conference Chair from 2005 through 2021. Stephen holds an MBA from the University of Toronto and an Honours B.A. degree in Economics from the University of Waterloo.

Annie Merritt

New Board Member

Annie Merritt

New Board Member

Specialist - Community and Government Relations, Innergex
Annie Merritt is the Specialist in Community and Government Relations at Innergex Renewable Energy, where her portfolio includes Ontario, Saskatchewan, and the Atlantic provinces. In this role she oversees engagement and relationship-building with Indigenous communities, strategic partners, and all levels of government. With 12 years of experience supporting First Nations governance, economic development, and strategic planning, Annie has a well-established track record in bridging industry, stakeholder, and rights holders’ interests to build upon shared priorities.

Jon Atkinson

Director

Jon Atkinson

Director

Director, Business Development & Regional Manager (Ontario) – Hydropower & Dams, Hatch
Jon is the Director of Business Development and Regional Manager (Ontario) for Hydropower and Dams at Hatch. He provides leadership for both projects and business development activities and has over 20 years of experience in consulting in the management and design of hydropower projects, and in leading engineering teams. This includes projects ranging from concept to commissioning, as well as due diligence and independent engineering assessments.

Phone:866-743-1500 ext. 24
Email:jworosz@owa.ca

Karina Seto

New Board Member

Karina Seto

New Board Member

Canadian Structural Discipline Lead - Hydropower, Dams and Hydraulic Structures, Kiewit
Karina Seto currently leads the structural engineering discipline for Kiewit’s internal Hydropower, Dams and Hydraulic Structures engineering team. She has worked in hydro and dams in Ontario since being introduced to the industry in her first summer job as an engineering student. Previously, Karina worked for 10 years in consulting engineering in the areas of dam safety, dam design and construction, and hydropower development.

Michael Morgenroth

Director

Michael Morgenroth

Director

Principal, Hydropower & Dams – Canada, Stantec Consulting
Michael is a mechanical engineer with over thirty years of experience from concept to implementation of water and wind power projects in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, and the Americas. He is currently responsible for Stantec’s hydropower and dams sector in Canada. Michael’s technical latitude has spanned component and system level design, site engineering, commissioning, laboratory and field performance testing, equipment selection inspection and assessment, troubleshooting, assessment of aging infrastructure, risk, and other specialty studies. He has managed projects, emerging technologies, contractor prequalification, technical bid evaluation, and contract negotiations for equipment supply, construction and service contracts. Michael has developed computerized optimization tools for risk-based capital expenditure planning on hydro plants and for the collector system and layout of wind farms. Prior to Stantec, Michael was part of the executive team of an Independent Power Producer, and early in his career was a product developer for a manufacturer. He led multidisciplinary engineering teams during project initiation, development, construction, and operations. His longer-term construction engagements include a 20MW run-of-river hydro plant and a 138-kV transmission line in Canada, and a Resident Engineer position on a 45MW hydro plant in Guatemala. He has served on standard setting committees as well as advisory panels to government and academia including as lead instructor of a M.Eng. course at the University of Toronto.

Julien Wu

Director

Julien Wu

Director

Director of Regulatory Affairs at Evolugen by Brookfield Renewable Julien has worked in the electricity sector for over 15 years, including 10+ years at Brookfield Renewable covering Canadian regulatory, market, and policy issues. This responsibility gave him direct experience intervening in energy board hearings, policy advocacy, ISO market designs, cross-border energy and capacity trades, as well as procurements and bilateral negotiations. Prior to Brookfield, he managed various federal electricity policy files at Electricity Canada. He holds a bachelor’s degree in engineering from McGill University, a master’s degree in sustainable energy policy from Carleton University and is completing a PhD in public policy there part-time. Julien grew up in Montreal but is living in Ottawa, and is fluent in English, French, and Mandarin.