Hydro Ottawa first electric utility in Canada to earn ISO certification for asset management

PHOTO: Hydro Ottawa

OTTAWA — For the first time, a Canadian utility has received ISO55001:2014 certification for best practices in asset management from the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), based in Geneva, Switzerland.

Hydro Ottawa is one of only three other North American electric utilities that have received this distinction, including the New York Power Authority.

With an independent non-governmental global network of national standards institutes from each of its 165 member countries, including the Standards Council of Canada, the Independent Organization for Standardization brings together experts to share knowledge and develop voluntary, consensus-based, market-relevant international standards that support innovation and provide solutions to global challenges.

With ISO55001:2014 accreditation, Hydro Ottawa says its customers benefit from:

• Enhanced risk management (with better predictability to future performance of our assets);
• Trust and confidence of investors and stakeholders;
• Reduced capital and operational costs;
• A set framework for dealing with subcontractors; and
• A safer environment (for customers, employees and the assets themselves).

Hydro Ottawa holds two other ISO certifications, including ISO14001:2015 for environmental management and ISO9001:2015 for quality management systems.

Guillaume Paradis, P.Eng. chief electricity distribution officer, said in a statement, “Receiving this internationally recognized certification is an honour and a testament to our commitment to meeting our operational, environmental and financial goals in order to provide our customers with a best-in-class service that is safe, reliable and innovative. Being the first Canadian electric utility to achieve this accreditation is further evidence that our talented team is truly invested in delivering the best possible outcomes for our customers and the community we serve.”