By Hudson Sangree

CAISO announced Wednesday that its president and CEO, Steve Berberich, intends to retire by early summer.

“Berberich has been at the helm of California’s power grid and wholesale market operator for nearly a decade, steering the organization during the integration of record amounts of renewable resources and expanding power markets regionally to benefit consumers across the western United States,” the ISO said in a news release.

The CAISO Board of Governors has started searching for a successor, it said.

“It has been an honor and privilege to lead such an extraordinary and talented team of professionals here at the ISO,” Berberich said. “I’m incredibly proud of their work and the successes we have had together in this historic energy sector transformation. I have witnessed this organization perform at the highest of levels, reaching milestones not thought possible before.”

Berberich served 14 years with the ISO, nine of them as CEO. Prior to becoming CEO, Berberich held a series of executive positions at the ISO, including vice president of technology, chief financial officer and chief operating officer.

“He was instrumental in installing industry-leading energy management and market systems, reducing reliance on fossil fuels in the electricity supply, and in welcoming new resources into the ISO’s wholesale markets,” CAISO said. “In 2014, he was recognized as one of the top 10 most influential energy leaders in the nation. Under his leadership, the ISO has been recognized internationally as a leader in renewable resource integration.”

Berberich was a key player in starting the Western Energy Imbalance Market in 2014. The interstate trading market has provided nearly $862 million in benefits to its nine participants and is on a path to expand to every state in the Western Interconnection.

Board Chair Dave Olsen praised Berberich for his service.

“His visionary leadership has put the ISO at the forefront of the worldwide transition to low-carbon electricity,” Olsen said. “His legacy is in an organization now thoughtfully positioned and more determined than ever to push toward that goal.”