EDINBURGH | Quebec does not have major hydroelectric dam projects in the pipeline, but rather relies on wind energy to meet its future electricity needs, says Premier François Legault.
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“There is an alternative that has appeared in the last year and a half, it is wind power. The cost of wind power has fallen a lot. We had a blow that was higher than that of the dams, and therefore of the hydroelectricity. Now, we have moved to a cost which is lower than that of dams, ”explained the Prime Minister in an interview with our Parliamentary Bureau, upon his arrival in Scotland for COP26.
The newspaper reported on Tuesday that Hydro-Quebec’s surpluses are smaller than expected. The state-owned company will have to fetch at least 4 terawatt hours more and will launch several calls for tenders to improve its supply.
François Legault explains that hydroelectric dams will always be able to provide power during peak hours. “But wind power is great back-up energy at a very competitive price,” he says.
“It’s part of our plan to attract companies that want to have a low carbon footprint,” he says.
The Prime Minister also specifies that “if the two contracts materialize, in Massachusetts and New York, there is still a small margin in Quebec”. Hydro-Quebec is therefore seeking to develop “other surpluses to attract other businesses”.
François Legault does not exclude solar energy either. “For the moment, the cost is not competitive, but that will evolve over the next few years,” he explains.
Newfoundland
Without opening his game, François Legault also recalls that discussions are underway with Newfoundland and Labrador. In January 2020, he and the then premier of Newfoundland discussed plans to transport hydroelectricity produced in the neighboring province to provinces and states in eastern North America.
Newfoundland is to develop two major hydroelectric dams: Muskrat Falls and Gull Island, Labrador.
A meeting is also scheduled this week between François Legault and the current Premier of Newfoundland, Andrew Furey, on the sidelines of COP26.
More urgent than ever
While denouncing the end of oil exploration on Anticosti in 2016, Prime Minister Legault caused the surprise, two weeks ago, by announcing the end of exploration and exploitation of hydrocarbons in Quebec.
“I think the urgency is greater than ever,” he said today to explain the about-face. We have seen the objectives that the States have set for themselves in the various COPs, there is quite a bit of the bar to set. ”
Faced with this “enormous challenge”, Quebec can become a key player thanks to its hydroelectricity, “green” hydrogen and the sector that Quebec wishes to create to manufacture electric batteries.
“We are well positioned to help neighboring states and attract businesses. Hydrogen, I think there is extraordinary potential to meet several needs, ”said Mr. Legault, stressing that several meetings are on his agenda this week with companies interested in this new energy.