Cornerstone Hydro Electric Concepts
CHEC Excited to Welcome Hydro Hawkesbury as Newest Member
March 27, 2024
Barrie, Ontario March 27, 2024 – Cornerstone Hydro Electric Concepts (CHEC) is pleased to announce Hydro Hawkesbury Inc. as its newest member. The number of Local Distribution Companies (LDCs) in the Association now totals 17 with CHEC representing close to 30 percent of the LDCs in Ontario.
“Information is an asset for us,” said Michel Poulin, Manager of Hydro Hawkesbury. “We don’t always have the expertise we need in-house and with the increasing complexity of the industry we’re looking forward to being part of CHEC and sharing resources with the other members.”
Hydro Hawkesbury is located in eastern Ontario and has a customer base of close to 6000 and five full-time staff. As part of a small community, they know their customers and their customers know them.
“It is not the same reality as other utilities,” said Poulin. “When we’re at a restaurant in town, people recognize us. We are part of our community, and we want to do right by them.” With the staff wearing many hats there often isn’t enough time to research and respond to the ongoing changes and regulatory requirements. Their new membership will provide support to the staff as the industry changes. “Having access to a group of qualified people where we can get feedback and access their experience and knowledge will be a huge asset for our staff and our community.”
CHEC was first founded in 2000 in response to de-regulation. The support the Association provides has evolved over the twenty years with the organization currently providing support across all areas of utility operations: Billing and Customer Information Systems (CIS), Communications and Customer Service, Finance & Regulatory, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Human Resources & Labour Relations, and Operations and Health & Safety.
“Collaboration within the electrical distribution industry is becoming more important all the time,” said CHEC President, Bruno Pereira. “Electrification, climate change and regulations are all increasing the complexity of the industry. It’s essential for our members to have a place to share expertise and resources to effectively meet the demands of the industry and the needs of their customers.”
ABOUT CHEC
CHEC is a collaborative association of 17 Local Distribution Companies in Ontario. By sharing experience, knowledge and resources CHEC helps its members remain as active members of their communities, deliver value to their shareholders, provide safe, efficient, and cost-effective electricity distribution to their customers, and prepare for the energy future. The current members of CHEC are Bluewater Power, Centre Wellington Hydro Ltd., ERTH Power Corp., Fort Frances Power Corp., Grimsby Power, Hydro Hawkesbury Inc., InnPower Corp., Lakefront Utilities Inc., Lakeland Power Distribution Ltd., Niagara–on- the-Lake Hydro, Orangeville Hydro Ltd., Ottawa River Power Corp., Renfrew Hydro Inc., Rideau St. Lawrence Distribution Inc., Tillsonburg Hydro, Wasaga Distribution Inc., and Wellington North Power Inc.