Power System Planner

INDEPENDENT ELECTRICITY SYSTEM OPERATOR (IESO)

Why join us? 

You’ve got great skills. And you want to use them in an organization where you know what you do every day matters. We get that.
We also know that ensuring Ontarians have access to affordable and reliable power doesn’t happen by accident. So we give you the tools, flexibility and support you need to achieve your goals, and development opportunities to help you grow. You’ll thrive in a collaborative, team-based environment that values your unique skills and experiences – and recognizes that when you do better, we become even better too.  

Who we are 

The Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) works at the centre of the province’s power system, ensuring Ontarians have access to reliable and cost-effective electricity when and where they need it. We operate the province’s electricity grid 24/7, design, run and oversee the wholesale electricity markets, and plan and prepare to meet Ontario’s electricity needs – now and into the future.

 

The opportunity

The Power System Planner is accountable to lead and/or participate in power system plan development and preparation. The Planner is primarily responsible for conceiving, initiating, conducting, overseeing, and coordinating the necessary research and analysis involved in the development of integrated plans and supporting their implementation. This includes taking the lead and/or participating in the development of analytical models, interactions and collaboration with relevant parties, and participation in stakeholder engagement, regulatory, and procurement processes. In this role, you'll be a key player in our Planning Economics team, part of the Resource and Plan Assessments department in our Resource Planning division. The Power System Planner is a technical expert and plays an operational role in the team’s work to advance and inform decision making at the IESO to ensure system reliability and affordability.

Please note: this posting and that of Power System Planning Analyst represents one opportunity. The level of role (Planner or Planning Analyst) for this opening will depend on the candidate's experience, qualifications and capabilities. Early career applicants are invited to view and apply to our Power System Planning Analyst role through the link below:
 
Power System Planning Analyst (20442)

What you'll do

• Manage the power system planning responsibilities assigned by the Supervisor of the Planning Economics team.
• Participate in and sometimes lead complex power system studies and other technical, economic, risk and scenario-based studies as part of the integrated power system planning process. This includes the use of complex analytical models and data to simulate and assess the performance, adequacy and economics of the Ontario power system.
• Conduct research on technologies, planning methods and practices, understanding relevant external trends and practices and apply this research to benefit Ontario’s power system.
• Conceptualise, initiate and perform various aspects of power system plan development and preparation, with a focus on power system economics and ratepayer impact, including:
• Modelling system needs.
• Developing and evaluating the feasibility and economic impacts of resource options and alternatives.
• Making recommendations.
• Establishing a rationale for preferred solutions to system needs.
• All the above in collaboration with specialists from other teams to develop integrated plans.
• Manage the development and maintenance of tools, models and processes to support the requirements of the Planning Economics team including financial and economic models (e.g. Excel, @Risk), capacity expansion models and production cost models (e.g. PLEXOS).
• Participate in and sometimes lead in the preparation of broad technical, economic and policy-based reports, presentations, memos and submissions related to power system planning for stakeholder reviews, Board of Directors’ information, Ministry of Energy, regulatory proceedings, or other purposes.
• Contribute to the development of formal business cases and/or evidence in support of regulatory or other approvals processes to implement elements of integrated plans and, as required, representing IESO, defending these in public and regulatory forums.
• Participate in and sometimes lead the economic assessments and development of non-wires alternatives in the development of integrated bulk and/or regional plans. This includes the following:
• Determining the feasibility of various resource types to meet identified system needs and screening out infeasible resources.
• Developing cost-optimal resource portfolios as non-wires alternatives to meet system needs.
• Evaluating the costs and system benefits of wires options and non-wires alternatives to determine the net cost or benefit to ratepayers.
• All the above in collaboration with other power system planning teams.
• Participate in stakeholder meetings, including with officials from other jurisdictions, private sector companies, community engagements, public forums and consultations with government on proposed solutions and planning issues. This may include interacting with and advising community leaders, company executives, government officials and/or other agency staff and interfacing with media.
• Keep abreast of electricity industry developments (with a focus on system economics and ratepayer impacts) including government energy, environmental, economic and trade policies, regulatory changes, supply chains, and other developments that could impact the costs of electricity resource development in Ontario. Recommend participation approaches and propose strategies to address matters that are relevant to Planning Economics and Resource Planning.
• Occasionally mentor, advise and guide junior and less experienced staff, set and manage quality control and review of their work and products.
• Other duties or responsibilities as may be assigned.

What you need to succeed

• University degree in Engineering, Mathematics, Economics, Commerce/Business, Planning or other relevant discipline is required. A curriculum or experience that includes exposure to power systems, electrical theory, power system analysis and equipment, energy systems and conversion, mathematics, statistics or economic analysis is preferred.
• Electricity industry – requires a solid grounding in engineering, economic and technical aspects of electricity generation, transmission, and conservation and demand management programs and the ability to integrate this knowledge to make sound decisions with consideration to financial impact on the IESO and Ontario ratepayers.
• Ontario electricity sector – knowledge of how the IESO’s Administered Markets function and the IESO Market Rules, Ontario Energy Board, Ontario Power Generation, other generators, transmitters, local distribution companies, etc.
• Finance – strong understanding of project finance, business case development and financial models. The ability to develop/build/review/improve highly complex discounted cash flow financial models is necessary.
• Project management –Working knowledge of generation facility construction techniques, schedules and processes
• Communication – excellent oral, written, presentation skills and effectiveness in interpersonal relationships are a must.
• Ability to effectively present to stakeholders.
• Ability to communicate technical and non-technical information to staff, suppliers, senior management, and media
• Strong ability to review and write procedures and reports on a technical level.
• Experience in major multi-discipline project teams and interacting with other disciplines and external parties (e.g. suppliers, Government, external consultants, etc.)

• 6 - 8 years of experience in a power system planning or operation or analytical studies related to integrated planning is typically required. Experience in the Ontario electricity sector is preferred.

What’s in it for you

• A comprehensive total rewards program, including best-in-class benefits and a flexible workplace 
• A challenging, fast-paced and collaborative team environment, where your perspectives and experiences matter 
• Leaders who support your growth and success through regular feedback and coaching 
• The opportunity to work with some of the brightest minds in the industry 
   

Deadline: June 22, 2025

For future reference, please ensure to save a copy of the job description as it will no longer be available once the posting closes.

At the IESO, we know that achieving great results depends on embracing diversity by attracting, developing and retaining people from a wide variety of backgrounds. We do this by ensuring our recruitment and advancement policies are fair and equitable, and by creating an accessible and inclusive environment – one that values every team member’s unique skills and experiences and ensures they have the support they need to achieve their potential. If you require accommodation during the recruitment process, please let us know. 

We thank you for your interest in a career at the IESO, but we will only contact those candidates selected for an interview. 

Note: The successful candidate must be eligible to work in Canada and will be subject to a background check.

The IESO offers a hybrid work model program to most of our employees, based on business needs. Individuals participating in the program can work an average of three days per week remotely within Ontario. It also offers three flex weeks when individuals can work remotely within Ontario. When working in the office, you will be located at our Toronto location.

Join our talent community

Sign up for our talent community: stay in touch, find out about new opportunities – and discover how you can make a difference. Discover how we use our expertise and commitment to deliver reliable and affordable electricity to Ontario’s businesses and communities, and how we’re innovating to secure a stronger energy future for all Ontarians. Visit Careers at IESO and be sure to follow us on LinkedIn.

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