Steve Berberich

---

Steve Berberich is currently the President and CEO of Onward Energy, an independent power producer operating across 22 states with 55 generating stations.   The 6,200 megawatt portfolio is roughly half clean natural gas and half wind and solar facilities. 

Mr. Berberich is the former President and Chief Executive Officer of the California Independent System Operator (ISO) and the Jamaica Public Services Corporation.  

Mr. Berberich served fifteen years with the ISO and nearly 10 as CEO. During his tenure, he navigated the ISO through a series of major changes underway in the energy industry. He was instrumental in facilitating the transformation of the power grid to lower its reliance on fossil fuels and driving energy policy to foster new ways to produce and consume electricity. Recognized as one of the nation’s 10 most influential energy leaders in 2014, Mr. Berberich oversaw the integration of more renewable energy than any other region in the world. Mr. Berberich directed the deployment of the nation’s first Energy Imbalance Market, which welcomed several additional western states into the ISO’s bulk power markets. 

At the Jamaica Public Services Corporation “JPS”, Mr. Berberich set in motion a plan to modernize the island’s grid to dramatically improve reliability, improve customer experiences, initiate capabilities to operate a renewable rich grid, and change the utilities posture to support distributed generation options for its customers.  JPS is supporting the government’s policies to achieve a 50% renewable penetration goal by 2030 and Mr. Berberich’s California experience was very important in mapping out strategies that maintained reliability and cost efficiency. 

He is a frequent speaker nationally and internationally about the 21st century grid. He holds a bachelor’s degree in finance and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Tulsa.