Posted at 3:00 p.m.
The Scientific Collective on Energy Issues in Quebec recently questioned the relevance of exporting our electricity. According to them, it would be wiser to conserve Hydro-Québec’s energy to lead our energy transition.
In short, Hydro-Québec’s objective is to do both, with winning conditions for Québec. We want our energy to serve the common good and generate the best economic and environmental benefits.
Beneficial exports for Québec
Long-term export contracts make it possible to build interconnections that allow us to get the full value of our energy, and that can be used for decades after the 20- or 25-year contracts end.
As far as the fight against climate change is concerned, it should be remembered that greenhouse gases know no borders. Those emitted in the American Northeast quickly reach our latitudes.
As a result of rigorous scientific work, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and the Deep Decarbonation Pathways initiative come to the conclusion that power grids need to be better interconnected to support increased use of renewable energy.
Since wind and solar power are variable sources of energy, we must be able to count on basic energies, available at all times, such as our hydroelectricity, in order to balance them. In the networks of the American Northeast, it is natural gas, fuel oil and even coal which play this role and which must also be replaced.
Energy transition and security
More than three-quarters of the energy produced by Hydro-Québec in a year is reserved for the Québec market. The remaining terawatt-hours can be sold in Quebec to meet additional needs, or be exported to replace fossil fuels and generate revenue. We do both.
It is true that the energy transition will lead us to electrify more and more sectors of our economy, with the aim of reducing our dependence on fossil fuels. This reality will be an integral part of our orientations for the coming years.
In the wake of this massive electrification of our economy, creative solutions will help us make the transition at the lowest possible cost.
This is the case of the dual-energy agreement with Énergir, which aims to significantly electrify the heating of buildings, without putting pressure on our network during the winter peak. The agreement will indeed reduce the volume of natural gas consumed in Quebec.
Governance and transparency
We were very surprised by the comments of the authors regarding the governance and transparency of the process concerning Quebec’s energy future.
Over the past two years, we have increased opportunities for stakeholders and the public to speak out on energy issues, such as through the Energy in Common initiative.
Nearly 27,000 people took part in the consultation and more than 15,000 ideas were submitted, ideas that will fuel Hydro-Québec’s next Strategic Plan.
Finally, although we are in a good position thanks to the importance of renewable energy in Quebec’s energy portfolio, everyone agrees that the energy transition will be a major challenge. And Hydro-Quebec will be there.