WaterPower Canada has a new president & CEO – Carolina Rinfret

May 27, 2022 – Carolina Rinfret has been appointed president & CEO of WaterPower Canada, a national trade association representing the waterpower industry (producers, manufacturers, developers, engineering firms, etc.), effective May 16.

“Hydroelectricity has been the backbone of Canada’s electricity supply for well over a century, and it will be key to our rapid but orderly transition to a very different energy system,” said Rinfret. “I know the industry has the capacity for well-planned growth and integration, and I greatly look forward to working with members, governments and stakeholders to help make that happen.”

Rinfret brings to her new position close to 20 years of legal, regulatory and government relations experience in hydroelectricity and the broader energy sector, says the association.

A lawyer by training, Rinfret began her legal career in private practice. She subsequently spent more than a decade with Hydro-Quebec where, in appearances on its behalf before the Régie de l’énergie du Québec, she secured approval for investments of more than $2.5 billion for the construction of high-voltage lines and substations.

Rinfret subsequently served as senior legal counsel for TC Energy, then held a senior legal and regulatory affairs director position with Gazoduq Inc.

At WaterPower Canada, she will lead a team tasked with providing advocacy, research and other services, all aimed at maximizing the waterpower industry’s contribution to meeting Canada’s energy needs and decarbonization objectives.

“We need adept leadership to help create the right regulatory conditions and relationships, and we’re confident Carolina brings a combination of skills and attributes that will enable hydropower to achieve what Canadians need it to,” said Gilbert Bennett, WaterPower Canada chair.