Vinay Mehta – Alectra Inc.

Electrification is a cornerstone of Canada’s strategy to combat climate change, yet the road to a fully electrified economy is fraught with challenges. Aging infrastructure, regulatory hurdles, and the need for extensive investment in grid modernization complicate the process. Vinay Mehta, the executive vice president of legal, strategy and corporate secretary for Alectra Inc., stands at the forefront of this transformation.

Vinay Mehta | Alectra Inc. | EVP, Legal, Strategy & Corporate Secretary

As the country shifts toward the electrification of transportation, home heating and renewable energy, Mehta is pivotal in ensuring that Alectra is prepared to meet growing electricity demands while maintaining reliable service for the approximately 1.1 million homes and businesses it serves.

“The more EVs on the road, the more power we need to charge them, whether at home or in commercial settings,” Mehta explains. “This will be a significant issue for distributors like us, requiring close collaboration with local communities, stakeholders and provincial regulators to ensure we have the necessary infrastructure in place when needed.”

Unlike in the U.S., where electrification efforts sometimes face resistance, Canada’s municipalities embrace the transition.

“We’re seeing a lot of interest from municipalities wanting to electrify their fleets, including buses,” he notes.

However, challenges remain, including the availability of electricity grid equipment through supply chains, workforce planning to ensure that electrical tradespersons are available to do the capital work required and that charging infrastructure is installed at a pace that aligns with EV adoption.

Another major factor is long-term strategic planning.

“People may not be thinking about the day-to-day issues that will arise five to ten years from now, but we have to be,” Mehta says. “We must plan well for infrastructure development, workforce availability, and capital investment to ensure a stable and reliable power supply.”

Mehta also highlights the impact of external factors such as tariffs, trade disputes, and economic fluctuations.

“Supply chain issues, regulatory changes, and geopolitical factors can require us to shift our approach,” he says. “We must be agile, ensuring we can adapt quickly and continue delivering reliable service.”

Striking a balance

Alectra Inc. is Canada’s largest municipally owned electric utility based on the number of customers served, and it has a 90 percent operating margin from its regulated business. However, the company also operates in unregulated sectors such as renewables and battery storage, which are critical for the future of electrification.

Mehta says his “role is broad and extends beyond traditional legal responsibilities, giving me an enterprise-wide perspective on various issues whether it relates to risk, strategy or governance.”

While regulated services remain the backbone of Alectra’s operations, the company also invests in innovative projects to support a greener future through its competitive business. One such initiative involves battery storage collaborations with US-based Convergent Energy and Power, a move designed to enhance grid reliability and support renewable energy integration.

“Infrastructure challenges due to electrification are mounting,” Mehta explains. “Beyond transportation, we’re considering how data centers and increased electrification in homes and industries will impact demand. It’s a balancing act—ensuring we have the right investments while navigating a shifting regulatory landscape.”

The regulatory environment is complex and ensuring compliance while pursuing growth opportunities is ongoing.

“We have to mirror our forecasting with the provincial Independent Electricity System Operator, taking into account the province’s power needs,” Mehta explains. “We look at geographic footprints, expected residential and commercial development, and potential challenges such as supply chain constraints or economic shifts.”

Alectra also advances its contract management system, ensuring efficiency and compliance across various projects.

“It’s an ongoing effort,” Mehta notes. “Having robust templates and a strong contract management framework allows us to mitigate risks and streamline our procurement and legal process.”

Leadership and vision

Mehta’s journey to his current role reflects his drive to push beyond traditional legal responsibilities. After earning undergraduate degrees from the University of Waterloo and the University of Toronto and a law degree from Queen’s University, he spent two years in private practice at one of Canada’s largest law firms before moving in-house with the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce for six years. He then spent seven years at PowerStream, a predecessor local distribution utility in the Toronto area, before the merger that formed Alectra in 2017. In June 2023, he stepped into his current executive role, overseeing legal, strategy, risk management, sustainability and governance.

“My role has evolved significantly,” Mehta says. “I’ve gone beyond the day-to-day legal aspects to take on more accountability across departments. I enjoy the challenge — it’s not just about the law but about understanding the full scope of our business from an enterprise perspective.”

His recent participation in Harvard Business School’s leadership development program and executive education reflects his commitment to continuous learning.  In December 2024, Mehta became an alumnus of Harvard Business School.

“You always have to keep learning, expanding your horizons,” he says. “I’ve been fortunate that our CEO [Brian Bentz] has allowed me to grow and contribute in this role.”

Mehta represents Alectra on the board of the Electricity Distributors Association, which advocates for, among other things, policies that support electrification efforts.

“Concerning electrification, this is not something analogous I’ve seen before in my career — government policies, industry alignment coupled with federal, provincial and municipal support all converging,” he observes. “It’s an exciting time, but it also means we must be incredibly strategic and well prepared in navigating these changes.”

A key aspect of his role is mentoring the next generation of leaders.

“I spend time with people across departments and outside the organization sharing my experiences,” he says. “I also have my mentors within and outside the industry. You must be open to learning from different perspectives.”

Sustainable and reliable energy

Alectra’s commitment to innovation is evident in initiatives like the Green Energy & Technology Centre (GRE&T Centre) and GridExchange, a cloud-based energy marketplace. These efforts align with the company’s vision of modernizing the grid and supporting smart cities.

As electrification gains momentum, Alectra must also address workforce challenges.

“Recruiting and retaining skilled workers is a key focus for us,” Mehta notes. “We have to think five to ten years ahead—what our workforce planning strategy should be, what infrastructure investments we need, and ensuring how we and our suppliers are prepared to address our future demands.”

Another significant focus is sustainability and environmental responsibility. Mehta says the company is always considering reducing its carbon footprint and improving sustainability.

Despite the challenges, Mehta remains optimistic about the future.

“Electrification is happening, and Canada is all-in,” he says. “Our work today will shape the energy landscape for decades. We must be proactive, forward-thinking and strategic in approaching it.”

For Alectra and Mehta, the future is about balancing innovation with service reliability, ensuring the transition to electrification is sustainable and effective. Alectra is well-positioned to navigate the evolving energy landscape, meeting the needs of communities while driving forward the next phase of the country’s electrification journey.