The arrival in Quebec of the Swedish multinational Northvolt, supported by billions in public investments, marks a strong moment for Quebec, which is one of the world leaders in the battery sector. It is possible to celebrate this excellent news because of what it truly means for Quebec’s green economy, without neglecting to focus on the essential conditions for success, which are social acceptability and respect for environmental standards.
For months, the energy trio composed of Prime Minister François Legault, the Minister of the Economy, Innovation and Energy, Pierre Fitzgibbon, and the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industrie du Canada, François-Philippe Champagne, is increasing the number of announcements of investment and financial support in what is now commonly called the battery sector. Vision and ambition? To pride ourselves on housing in Quebec the entire production chain of batteries intended for the electric car fleet, freeing ourselves from dependence on Chinese batteries and oil. The trio is not short of superlatives to describe the importance of the development of this sector for the future of Quebec. It’s mega, giga, ultra important.
The Swedish Northvolt, which already has five mega-factories of this type in Europe, was targeting the North American market for the establishment of Northvolt Six, which will manufacture cathode materials and battery cells and will also recycle used batteries. Ultimately, the project will power one million electric vehicles per year in North America. After evaluating some 70 potential sites, the final race pitted the strengths of Quebec against those of California. McMasterville and Saint-Basile-le-Grand won. According to the company, the availability of natural and energy resources on site, the promise of qualified workers and “the attitude of governments” convinced it to come and see if it was good to develop in Quebec.
By “attitude” of governments, we must translate here as a promise of around 7 billion dollars in public funds for a first phase, including nearly 3 billion from Quebec. Criticized for the height of this sum, the governments explain that they had no other choice than to match the credit for manufacturing production provided for by theInflation Reduction Act American. If this were to fall, public funds would also disappear.
This is the price of becoming a leader. Even if it is true that it is a gamble, we can understand that Prime Minister Legault chose to bet on this sector, because it truly corresponds to what we call a vision of the future. Quebec indeed has the natural resources allowing it to be autonomous. For the moment, it can still absorb the energy demand that such a project will entail. In addition, Northvolt is not an environmental offender and it prides itself on wanting to produce the “greenest batteries in the world” with an objective of quasi-carbon neutrality – the zero target being impossible to achieve. Finally, the energy transition will involve abandoning, over the next decade, the development of gasoline-powered cars, and the development of the battery sector is in fact part of an effort to reduce GHG emissions.
These are all reasons for Mr. Legault to puff out his chest and argue that there should not be any just for Ontario. It is a way for the CAQ leader to put a big dream on the table of achievements: that of making his true nationalist spirit vibrate, that of economic development. The modern inscription of this economic independence requires for its government through vigorous and bold actions in the field of the electrification of transport. It’s green nationalism with Legault style.
This boundless enthusiasm must not distract from certain essential conditions. It will first be necessary to ensure that the development and production phases of Northvolt Six will not be to the detriment of environmental standards. The confusion maintained on this subject last Thursday by the Coalition Avenir Québec must be quickly resolved, because it will undermine the credibility of the project. If the Office of Environmental Public Hearings is going to look into this important issue, let it do its job diligently. Its examination will provide guarantees of transparency and respect for the environment.
It is also fortunate that Northvolt has planned this week to inform the population of the ins and outs of its megaproject, because it will undoubtedly shake up habits. Even if we promise the advent of 3,000 qualified and paying jobs, citizens are right to want to understand how the activity on this 100 hectare site will have repercussions on their daily lives. Relevant questions are already being raised regarding the effect of such an ambitious project on housing demand and transportation networks, and they must be answered. Ambition should not exempt from precaution.