Operating our province’s electricity system takes planning and coordination – and that’s a responsibility that long-time employee Billy Loveless takes to heart. Get to know more about Billy and how his role as a planner is critical to providing safe, reliable electricity for customers.

Where are you from and when did you first start working at Hydro?

I was born and raised in Seal Cove, Fortune Bay on the south coast. I joined Hydro over 30 years ago, in 1989, as an apprentice line worker at 19 years old.

What made you want to work at Hydro?

As a young line worker I was enthused to come work with Hydro for the apprenticeship program. It was also an opportunity to work at home. Although I didn’t realize it at
the time, my career has enabled me to see the majority of this beautiful province.

What motivates you to do your best work?

At Hydro we provide electricity to the people of this province. Among the people using and paying for that electricity are my wife and children, my parents, my wife’s family, aunts, uncles, cousins, my friends, and neighbours. In life most of us strive for the most economical and reliable products when we spend our money. I try to do my job with that in mind every day.

Tell us something about your job that people might find surprising.

You know the line crew that you see climbing the poles and fixing the power lines? The work that they do is carefully thought out and put together in a weekly and yearly schedule. I’m the person preparing that schedule and ensuring it gets done in a coordinated way.

As a planner, what does an average day look like for you?

Every day I schedule and plan the work that needs to be done to ensure we provide reliable electricity to customers. This includes coordinating everything from everyday customer service calls and requests, to annual and regularly planned work to upgrade or maintain equipment and lines. On a regular basis, I work with our Energy Control Centre, customer service representatives, engineers, transmission and distribution crews, planners in other areas, and the front line crews in the field who are completing assigned tasks.

Why is your work as a planner so important?

Thinking about my role – safe, reliable power for customers is the result of ensuring that annual planned maintenance is completed as scheduled; that larger, capital projects are completed as planned; and, that customer requests for service or upgrades are completed in a timely manner. These are all factors I consider when preparing a schedule.

What do you find most fulfilling about your job?

We all come to work each day doing our own little part towards the big picture of providing electricity to the people of this province. My job is important – just like everyone – in the role that Hydro plays to power the province.