Rinfret brings close to 20 years of legal, regulatory and government relations experience
Carolina Rinfret has been appointed as WaterPower Canada’s new president and chief executive officer, effective May 16.
Rinfret brings to her new position close to 20 years of legal, regulatory and government relations experience in hydroelectricity and the broader energy sector. She has expertise that will equip her well to lead the association, during what will be a period of ongoing growth to enable the energy system transformation.
A lawyer by training and a member of the Québec Bar association, Rinfret began her legal career in private practice. She subsequently spent more than a decade with Hydro-Québec. In appearances on its behalf before the Régie de l'énergie du Québec (energy regulator) she secured approval for investments of more than $2.5 billion for the construction of high-voltage lines and substations connecting both generating stations and the province's first wind farms to its transmission grid.
Rinfret went on to serve as senior legal counsel for TC Energy, responsible for its legal affairs in Québec. She worked closely with its executives on various facets of oil and gas pipeline projects in the province, and secured authorization for construction of a natural gas pipeline extension and compressor stations. Most recently she held a senior legal and regulatory affairs director position with Gazoduq Inc., the proponent of an underground transmission line intended to supply a natural gas liquefaction facility.
"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."
At WaterPower Canada Rinfret 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.
Waterpower is Canada's largest source of renewable and reliable electricity, and a vital element of national energy security. All credible strategies and projections for the transition to a net zero carbon economy are heavily premised on optimizing hydro generation, transmission, and storage capacity – in support of electrification, green hydrogen production, and the balancing of other renewables.
