Are we running out of electricity in Québec?
4 minutes reading
It’s crystal clear that Québec’s urban landscape is changing. New buildings are popping up more quickly than ever before—a sign of sustained growth. There are more and more electric vehicles on the roads, and companies are making every effort to reduce their carbon footprint. All these changes will inevitably affect electricity demand. Although this energy revolution will lead to a greener future, it nevertheless raises a critical question: Will Québec have enough electricity?
Our energy surpluses have been used up
Realistically, we know that energy surpluses are a thing of the past. Québec has committed to reaching carbon neutrality by 2050. To do so, 75% of new electricity generation must be used to decarbonize all sectors. By 2035, 40% of this additional electricity will be used for transportation electrification and to heat buildings.
According to the International Energy Agency, Canada’s per capita energy consumption is nearly twice that of EU countries. Consumption in Québec, in particular, is higher than in all Canadian provinces and territories. This reality highlights the importance of taking action now to deal with the energy challenges we face.
Decarbonizing Québec and limiting climate change is only possible if everyone commits to the energy transition, which is based on three key pillars: improving our electricity use habits, generating more clean energy—particularly wind power, and increasing buy-in by Québec businesses.
Rethinking our electricity use habits
The time has come to rethink our electricity use habits. It’s true, we’ve already come a long way, but we need to do more. Optimal energy management, particularly during winter peak periods, is critical to ensuring an adequate supply of electricity for everyone. How can this be done? By consuming less and more wisely. In other words, by using energy responsibly.
Does that mean sacrificing comfort? Not at all! Taking small steps, such as turning down the heat by one or two degrees or shifting the use of energy-intensive appliances to off-peak hours, helps preserve our resources. That’s all there is to it!
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Generating more green energy
Even if everyone gets involved, our current capacity will not be enough. Québec needs to generate more clean energy. Wind power is a crucial cornerstone of the energy transition.
The objective: To triple Québec’s wind capacity by integrating 10,000 MW of wind power into the grid by 2035.
Hydro‑Québec, as a public institution and the lead actor for energy development, will play a key role in the implementation of large‑scale wind power projects, thereby demonstrating its commitment to supplying clean, renewable energy.
Learn more about the Wind Power Development Strategy – Charting the Course toward Collective Success
Increasing buy‑in by Québec businesses
To accelerate the energy transition, Québec businesses and organizations need to get involved and fully commit to the process. Did you know that heating accounts for about 80% of Québec’s energy needs in the winter? Decarbonizing companies—and homes, for that matter—relies heavily on the electrification of heating systems. By investing in energy efficiency technologies and adopting sustainable practices, companies can reduce their energy footprint.
The good news is that, thanks to Hydro‑Québec’s offers and programs for companies, the shift can be painless and can even improve their performance.
The future starts today!
So, are we running out of electricity? The answer is no, not if everyone commits to using it wisely. By adopting better electricity use habits, we can all take a big step forward together. Companies have a crucial role to play in this dynamic and can accelerate the transition. Other renewables will be added to Québec’s energy portfolio. With that as our roadmap, we’ll build a decarbonized and prosperous future—together.
