Lightbulb Moments Episode 5: Ontario: A Case Study

Podcast/Vlog Title: Ontario: A Case Study
Episode Number: S1E5
Guest: Shelley Babin
Date of Recording: October 24, 2024
Date Published: May 27, 2025

Episode Summary

This episode explores how Ontario is preparing for surging electricity demand while advancing toward net zero. Shelley Babin, Chief Operations Officer at Ontario Power Generation, discusses the province’s evolving energy landscape, from major infrastructure investments and regulatory change to the balancing act of reliability and decarbonization. She explains how a diverse energy mix, including natural gas, nuclear, hydro, wind, solar, and storage, plays a role in keeping the grid stable as low-carbon technologies scale. Shelley also shares insights on electrification's role in reducing industrial and transportation emissions, and what it means to lead through complexity in a sector with wide-reaching societal impact.

Key Topics 

Ontario’s New Era of Demand and Growth

• What’s driving electricity demand in Ontario and how the province is responding
• The intersection of infrastructure investment, regulatory evolution, and public priorities

Balancing Energy Resources for Reliability and Decarbonization

• • How natural gas supports reliability as renewables and storage scale
  • The role of nuclear, including CANDU technology and uranium supply, in Canada’s energy future

Electrification and Emissions Reduction 

• • The challenge of aligning rapid technological advancements with long-term infrastructure development 
  • Communicating the path forward in a way that resonates with everyday experiences 

Leadership During Systemic Change

• • The importance of timing, transparency, and trust in navigating the energy transition
  • Leading through uncertainty while building a more resilient and sustainable grid

• Guest Speaker

• Shelley Babin is Chief Operations Officer at Ontario Power Generation, one of the largest clean power generators in North America. With a background in law and a career shaped by critical roles across OPG, Shelley brings a multifaceted perspective to the challenges of today’s energy landscape. Her leadership is focused on delivering reliable, affordable, and low-carbon electricity to power Ontario’s growth while supporting the province’s climate commitments.

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• Resources Mentioned in the Video: 

• Shelley Babin – LinkedIn Profile
  Ontario Power Generation – LinkedIn
  Ontario Power Generation Homepage  
  Napanee Generation

• Explore More Insights:  

  Mitsubishi Power Chosen to Provide Advanced Gas Turbine to Atura Power’s Napanee Generating Station Expansion Project in Ontario
  If Decarbonization is Easy, Then We’re Doing it Wrong