Climate Change Adaptation Plan

Climate change has already started and is set to escalate in the coming years. Hydro‑Québec takes an active role in reducing GHG emissions, in part because its energy production system has one of the lowest carbon emission rates in the world. Nevertheless, it must adapt to climate change to ensure that it fulfills its main mission of providing reliable and sustainable power and quality services tailored to the needs of its customers.

To this end, Hydro-Québec has undertaken an extensive analysis of the potential impact of climate change on its assets and activities and has established measures to ensure their resilience. This initial Climate Change Adaptation Plan provides Hydro-Québec with both a governance framework and concrete measures to more effectively manage the climate change risks it faces.

Read the summary of the Climate Change Adaptation Plan. [PDF 630 kB]
See the Climate Change Adaptation Plan. [PDF 4.32 MB]

The adaptation plan in brief

Climate change poses challenges for Hydro-Québec

Hydro-Québec’s diverse range of activities extend across the province. As a result, the company could face a wide variety of impacts.

CENTRAL QUÉBEC

More fires and more precipitation

Changes in water management practices due to change in flood regimes
Damage to infrastructure
Reduces transmission capacity

URBAN AND RURAL QUÉBEC

Rising temperatures and extreme precipitation

Heat stroke among workers
More flooding
Higher energy demand in the summer

ARTIC QUÉBEC

Rising temperatures and melting permafrost

Damage to roads and infrastructure
Relocation of northern treeline
Impact on off-grid systems (e.g., subsidence caused by thawing permafrost that could force the shutdown of a thermal plant that supplies power to the grid)

COASTAL QUÉBEC

Increase in storms, surges and erosion

Highly vulnerable infrastructure (roads, power lines and buildings)
Change in wind power potential due to change in average prevailing wind direction