Manitoba Hydro's CEO is leaving after five years

There's a shakeup at the top of Manitoba Hydro after a disagreement between the CEO and the Kineu government over how to meet future electricity demand.

Hydro announced Tuesday that president and CEO Jay Grewal is leaving the Crown corporation after five years in the role. A news release said major decisions need to be made about how best to meet Manitoba's energy needs, and Manitoba Hydro's new board wants a “fresh approach” to those decisions.

Manitoba Hydro board chair Ben Graham said the new board was the result of a three-month review since the new government appointed it.

“You always appreciate a leadership team that has a successor,” Graham said. “We felt as a board that the time was right to make a change.”

The move comes about two weeks after Grewal told the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce that the province may need new ways to generate energy by the end of the decade. He said Hydro is reaching out to independent producers to build wind power and other sources. Manitoba currently has two private wind farms.

But this has caused a rift with Adrien Salah, the minister responsible for Hydro, who has said he wants to publicize the development of new energy sources.

Sala was asked on Tuesday about the timing of Grewal's departure.

“It's a board decision,” Sala said. “We thank Ms. Grewal for her service to the province.”

Industry said the board is committed to keeping rates low, partnering with local communities, developing a green energy economy and making Manitoba Hydro public.

“As a government, we've been very clear that we want to keep Manitoba Hydro public.”

Hal Turner, Hydro's current vice president of asset planning and delivery, will serve as interim CEO until a permanent person is selected through an internal and external search. Crown Corporation hires consulting firm MNP to assist with the process.

Manitoba Hydro Progressive Shadow Minister Grant Jackson said it is clear the Manitoba NDP will interfere with Manitoba Hydro's operations.

“It is clear that the truth will be the victim of this new NDP government. Wab Kinew believes he knows better how to run the largest Crown corporation in the province than the talented, experienced former CEO,” the prepared statement said.

“I reiterate our call to the NDP to immediately end its interference with Manitoba Hydro. “Manitobans and Manitoba Hydro cannot afford to pay the excess debt because of the NDP's rigid ideology.”