Hydro-Québec, which wants to buy 1,500 megawatts of wind energy, received proposals totaling double the order, or more than 3,000 megawatts at the close of its call for tenders.
The call for tenders launched on March 31 for the purchase of 1,500 megawatts of wind energy attracted 16 bids, for a total of 3,034 megawatts.
The largest projects were submitted by Innergex (300 megawatts) in the Côte-Nord region, by Boralex (265 megawatts) in the Victoriaville region, by Tugliq (300 megawatts) in the Manicouagan MRC and by Invernergy ( 291 megawatts) in Bas-Saint-Laurent.
These submissions respect the prerequisite set by Hydro-Québec, namely that the projects be located in specific areas, so that the energy produced can be integrated quickly and without requiring significant investments in the electrical network.
Quebec’s electricity network can integrate a total of 3,000 megawatts of wind energy by 2030, according to Hydro-Québec. There will therefore still be half of it, or 1,500 megawatts, remaining once the contracts for the call for tenders which have just been concluded are signed.
The minimum requirements of the call for tenders also include the obligation for the bidder to demonstrate that their project is supported by the local community. where it will be carried out. To this end, he must attach to his submission a certified copy of a resolution from the community concerned.
The price of electricity from wind sources offered to Hydro-Québec has not been specified. The contracts resulting from a previous wind call for tenders, currently examined by the Régie de l’énergie, indicate a cost varying between 7 and 8 cents per kilowatt hour.
Short deadlines
The deadline given to interested parties to submit a project as part of this call was very short.
In several regions of Quebec, citizens felt rushed by wind project promoters who wanted to respond to the call for tenders launched by Hydro-Québec before the September 13 deadline. The MRC of Nicolet-Yamaska, which was courted by three promoters, decided not to support any of them in order to take more time to consult the population.
The selected projects will help support the growing demand for electricity in Quebec, according to Hydro-Québec, which forecasts growth in Quebec demand of 14% between 2022 and 2023, or 25 terawatt hours. This forecast does not take into account industrial development projects such as those linked to the battery sector.
The selected projects must be able to be put into service between 1er December 2027 and 1er December 2029.
Contracts must be approved by the Régie de l’énergie.