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. 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.

Prior to her roles at the IESO, Barbara was Director of Policy & Analysis at the Ontario Power Authority (OPA), where she was responsible for dealing with a variety of strategic and policy issues that affect supply procurements and contracted resources. In addition, she was responsible for a number of support programs that enabled community and indigenous involvement in renewable energy and transmission projects. Additionally, Barbara managed a number of energy supply procurements while at the OPA and also in a prior role at the Ministry of Energy.

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.