Electricity Distributors Association Celebrates the Best of Local Hydro

Association Honours Sector Excellence at the 2023 Awards Gala

TORONTO, March 28, 2023 /CNW/ - Top-performing distribution utilities from across Ontario were honoured yesterday at the Electricity Distributors Association (EDA) Awards Gala. This annual celebration acknowledges a spectrum of key accomplishments, outstanding customer service and environmental programs, innovations, and best practices on the part of the companies that deliver the Power of Local Hydro across Ontario. 

"Ontario's local hydro utilities are on the front lines of power, working hard to deliver safe and reliable electricity, along with enhanced services and innovative solutions our customers expect," said Teresa Sarkesian, EDA President and CEO. "Over the past year, EDA members have demonstrated a relentless commitment to their customers and communities – their efforts have been exceptional."

With over 500 guests on hand for the gala celebration at the Fairmont Royal York, the EDA's Board Chair Tim Wilson, President and CEO of SYNERGY NORTH, recognized the accomplishments of all the deserving nominees and announced the winners.

"There was no shortage of excellence to showcase across Ontario's electricity distribution sector in 2022," added Wilson. "Each year, the Association is privileged to showcase the most noteworthy and inspiring achievements from our membership and the innovative ways we deliver for the benefit of the customer."

• The Local Distribution Company (LDC) Performance Excellence Award, sponsored by Grant Thornton, recognizes outstanding performance in occupational health and safety, operations, finance, conservation, and contributions to the community. This year it was awarded to Oakville Hydro for its comprehensive approach to employee safety and mental wellness, leading to the delivery of over 2,000,000 consecutive hours (over ten years) without a lost time injury; demonstrating strong service reliability, sustainability, and system performance; while providing innovative, customer-centric solutions and philanthropic initiatives that support various community events and non-profit organizations.
  
  
• The Public Electrical Safety Excellence Award, sponsored by the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA), was awarded to Elexicon Energy for its collaboration with Kids' Safety Village Durham to provide virtual and in-classroom electrical safety presentations for students in Grades 1 to 3. Elexicon completed eight comprehensive electrical safety presentations, presenting to approximately 240 students across their service territory, contributing to a 3% increase in its industry-leading Public Safety Awareness score from the ESA.
  
  
• The Communications Excellence Award was presented to ENWIN Utilities Ltd. for its informational campaign around the conversion of a fleet pickup truck from an internal combustion engine (ICE) to an electric vehicle (EV). This one-of-a-kind project required a strategic communications plan to promote and educate audiences about the uniqueness of this project, the tremendous community partnership, and the importance and implications of the data collected upon its completion.
  
  
• The Customer Service Excellence Award was presented to Essex Powerlines Corporation for its new and improved phone system for customer communication. The app-based system enhances the customer experience, increases workplace flexibility, and assists with regulatory reporting through real-time feedback mechanisms, live online chat, and the use of AI functionality.
  
  
• The Environmental Excellence Award was presented to Hydro One for outstanding efforts to help customers reduce their carbon footprint through partnerships and community planning. Hydro One partnered with the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority to create a wetland habitat adjacent to their Kleinburg Transformer Station property. This project created a wetland area with additional potential for evaluating carbon offset as a natural climate solution. Further, the project served to raise awareness and reinforced Hydro One's corporate climate change goals internally.
  
  
• The Innovation Excellence Award, sponsored by the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO), was presented to ERTH Power Corporation in recognition of the development of its Green Button solution. Intended to meet the regulatory requirements of the Green Button initiative, the solution utilizes ERTH's existing customer information system, data infrastructure, and customer service web portal to minimize the number of new applications and integrations required to deliver Green Button data. The scalable solution will be implemented by more than 50% of Ontario LDCs as a practical and cost-effective option.
  
  
• The Public Relations Excellence Award was presented to Alectra Utilities for its "Five Years of Caring" awareness campaign in support of AlectraCARES Community Support Program. Since its formation five years ago, Alectra Utilities has provided over $5 million to support hundreds of community-based programs throughout its service territory. The program is dedicated to improving life in communities by continuing to invest in local programs and organizations that foster well-being, promote diversity, provide access to health care, and protect the environment.
  
  
• The EDA's Volunteer Excellence Award is presented to an individual in recognition of their outstanding support and perseverance in advancing the Association's policy positions. This year's award was presented to two worthy recipients: Karla Bailey, Vice President, Asset Management & Engineering at SYNERGY NORTH and Shane Labrash, Supervisor, Energy Conservation, Business Development at Hydro Ottawa. Karla volunteers as the Vice-Chair of the EDA's Operations and Engineering Council, and as a member of the Electrification Council since 2013. Shane is a champion of Conservation, bringing valuable perspectives to the EDA's Conservation and Sustainability Council.
  
  
• A Chair's Citation, in Memory of Robert H. Hay, for individual achievement was presented to Helga Reidel, former President and CEO of ENWIN Utilities Ltd., for her service and significant contributions to the EDA and the electricity distribution sector. An accomplished executive and former City Treasurer of Windsor, Reidel led ENWIN for the last six years.

The EDA proudly congratulates all award winners and nominees.

ABOUT THE EDA
The Electricity Distributors Association is the trusted and vital source for advocacy, insight and information for Ontario's local electricity distributors, the municipally and privately owned companies that deliver essential electricity services to millions of homes, businesses and public institutions across the province. Learn more at www.eda-on.ca.

SOURCE Electricity Distributors Association

Gibb McGugan, Senior Manager, Communications & Marketing, Electricity Distributors Association (EDA), Tel: [phone], Email: [email protected]