Consultation on the framework and development of clean energy in Quebec - OC brief

The Quebec government should develop and implement an integrated energy transition plan that takes into account energy production, transmission and distribution capacities. This plan should also take into account future changes in energy demand in developing economic sectors.

Sustained efforts in energy decarbonization, such as the increase in the number of electric vehicles and the conversion of oil or natural gas heating to electric heating, will increase demand for electricity and put additional pressure on the power grid during peak periods. A plan will need to be put in place to prevent any significant impact on the grid, and the situation will need to be closely monitored.

The Act respecting the Régie de l'énergie1 was recently amended to allow the government to provide, by regulation, for cases in which Hydro-Québec is not obliged to distribute electricity. At present, these cases are connection requests for projects requiring a capacity of 5 MW or more.

To obtain a connection, the promoter of such a project must obtain authorization from the Minister, which will be granted if the project satisfies certain criteria, including power system capacities, economic spin-offs, and the project's social and environmental impacts3.
Among the criteria to be met for the connection of large-scale projects, the government should also take into account the project's consistency with the integrated plan, and favor projects that use the highest energy efficiency processes or standards.