Leonard Bateman served all his professional life in the energy industry. He was senior engineer for most of the years involving the Nelson River planning studies and implementation. He became CEO of Manitoba Hydro in the 1970’s and oversaw the development of the infrastructure upon which the entire present Nelson River electrical output is based and from which it derives its present reliability and profitability.
Mr. Bateman provided the engineering leadership to avert the pressures to install coal burning generating plants rather than hydro capacity on the grounds that the coal alternative was less risky and would provide less expensive energy. Twenty-five years (and approx. 450 million tonnes in avoided carbon dioxide emissions) later we can take note of the foregoing with a great sigh of relief. He took the initiative in getting National Energy Board approval for the construction of the major electrical transmission connection with the U.S. This line still provides all of the present capacity to export renewable energy, enabling annual sales of $400 – $500 million per annum.
He has been an active member of « Creative Retirement » in recent years.
