Growth in Electricity Demand Expected to Continue in Québec

November 11, 2022

In the Electricity Supply Plan 2023–2032 (in French only) that it filed with the Régie de l’énergie, Hydro-Québec anticipates an increase of 25 terawatthours (TWh) or 14% in Québec’s electricity demand over the 2022–2032 period. 

This increase is due to several factors, many of which relate to the energy transition:

  • Organic growth: +4.3 TWh*
  • Building/industrial process conversion: +4.5 TWh
  • Emerging markets, including data centers (4.1 TWh), green hydrogen production (2.3 TWh), battery components for electric vehicles (1.2 TWh) and greenhouse farming (0.7 TWh): +8.9 TWh
  • New technologies:
    • Photovoltaic solar: −0.7 TWh
    • Transportation electrification: +7.8 TWh

*TWh: one billion kilowatthours

The sum of the values may differ from the total because of rounding.

Hydro-Québec has already begun to implement the necessary measures to meet the increased demand.

1. Energy efficiency and demand response tools

The anticipated growth takes into account significant energy efficiency efforts that will make it possible to curtail 8.9 TWh by 2032. Hydro-Québec programs such as the Efficient Heat Pump Program for residential customers and the Efficient Solutions Program for business customers will help optimize electricity use.

In addition, demand response tools will help us manage winter peaks, i.e., the coldest hours during the winter when electricity use rises sharply. In total, the tools available to our various customer segments will help curtail more than 3,000 megawatts (MW) in winter 2031-2032—the equivalent of the capacity of La Grande-4 generating station, the second largest among our 62 hydroelectric facilities in terms of capacity. Demand response tools include Hilo and dynamic pricing, as well as the Demand Response (DR) Option offered to business customers.

2. New calls for tenders

To meet the growing demand, Hydro-Québec will have to add energy and capacity to its supply portfolio. To that end, two new calls for tenders—one for 300 MW of wind power and the other for 480 MW of renewable energy—are already underway. Two more, for 1,000 MW of wind power and 1,300 MW of renewable energy, respectively, will be launched in the next few months, and others will follow in the coming years to meet the needs set out in the Electricity Supply Plan 2023–2032.

3. Proactive management of our generation resources

In recent years, Hydro-Québec has also taken steps to increase the capacity of its generating fleet and enhance other sources of supply to which it has access. These include commissioning Romaine-4 generating station, increasing the capacity of some of its existing hydroelectric facilities, creating a 3,000-MW portfolio of wind power projects and purchasing the output of generating stations owned and operated by Evolugen.

Request to suspend the allocation of electricity to the blockchain industry

Lastly, in light of the significant increase in the anticipated demand for electricity and the tightening energy and capacity balances, Hydro-Québec filed a request with the Régie de l’énergie regarding suspension of the allocation process to the blockchain industry. Under this process, approximately 270 MW were slated to be dedicated to cryptographic use over the short term, but the allocation of that amount of capacity to this use would increase pressure on current balances.

Source

Related Articles


Latest Articles


Changing Scene

  • Have your Say on the Proposed Regulations for the NWT Builders’ Lien Act

    Have your Say on the Proposed Regulations for the NWT Builders’ Lien Act

    February 14, 2025 The GNWT is modernizing the legal framework for construction liens. In 2023, the Builders’ Lien Act was enacted to replace the Mechanics Lien Act. The new legislation was put in place to address modern construction practices. It sets out the legal processes, systems, rights, and remedies for parties involved in construction disputes.  The GNWT… Read More…

  • Federal Government Investing in Skilled Trades Training for Atlantic Canada

    Federal Government Investing in Skilled Trades Training for Atlantic Canada

    February 14, 2025 Canada is building more homes, bridges and key infrastructure than at any point in recent history. That requires skilled workers in communities across the country, including in the Atlantic provinces. To encourage more people to join the skilled trades, to build the homes Canadians expect and the resilient economy this moment demands,… Read More…

  • Nova Scotia Power Holding Open Houses to Discuss Modernizing the Electrical Inspections Process

    Nova Scotia Power Holding Open Houses to Discuss Modernizing the Electrical Inspections Process

    February 14, 2025 As Nova Scotia continues to experience unprecedented building growth, it’s the perfect time to review and improve the electrical inspection process—with safety as the top priority. Nova Scotia Power and the Department of Labour, Skills, and Immigration are coming together to explore new opportunities—including risk-based electrical inspections—to ensure the process remains safe,… Read More…

  • Alberta EV Tax Begins February 13th

    Alberta EV Tax Begins February 13th

    February 14, 2025 Starting Thursday, Feb. 13, Albertans will be charged a $200 tax when they register their electric vehicles. This amount is in line with what drivers of a typical internal combustion engine vehicle would be expected to pay each year in fuel tax. The tax will be collected by registry agents, and online… Read More…