Barbara Ellard

Barbara Ellard is the Director of Resource and System Adequacy at the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO). In this role, she is responsible for procuring and acquiring reliability services and incenting investment in new and existing supply resources. Barbara is leading the development and execution of a number of competitive procurements, such as the medium-term and long-term Request for Proposals. Barbara lead Canada’s largest storage procurement resulting in the addition of 3 GW of new resources. In addition, Barbara has responsibility over the IESO’s Capacity Auction and Ancillary Services contract portfolio.

In her previous role as Director of Markets & Procurement, she was responsible for assessing and evolving Ontario’s electricity markets, developing new market mechanisms and procurement options to help manage system needs. Barbara played an important leadership role in initiating and developing the high-level designs for the IESO’s Market Renewal Program.

Barbara graduated from the University of Toronto, where she earned both a Master of Arts and an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree. Barbara is fluent in English, German and Spanish.