Hydro-Québec takes action to improve service quality in Ville de Mont-Royal

Montreal - Teams from Hydro-Québec and Ville de Mont-Royal recently met to discuss the quality of electricity service in the area. Hydro-Québec provided an overview of the local power system, which serves 9,700 customers, and summarized the work completed over the past few months. The company also outlined the investments planned for the coming years to enhance the reliability and capacity of its facilities, while meeting the growing demand for electricity. The meeting also gave municipal representatives the opportunity to voice the public’s concerns, ask questions and agree on concrete ways to continue the collaboration between the two organizations.

Vegetation: A major cause of outages

Vegetation control is one of the most effective ways to reduce service interruptions. Hydro-Québec has carried out major line-clearing work in the neighbourhood and now performs this work every three or four years, rather than every seven years or so. This more targeted approach reduces the risk of outages caused by trees and branches near the grid and improves resilience.

Hydro-Québec also encourages citizens to use its tool, “Choose the Right Tree or Shrub” to plant species that are compatible with the power system.  

A major investment in the power system of tomorrow

The System Average Interruption Duration Index (SAIDI)—the average number of hours during which customers are without electricity over the course of a year—has fallen sharply in Ville de Mont-Royal since the exceptional events of 2023, falling from 52.3 hours in 2023 to 4.7 hours in 2025. In September 2026, it stood at 5.96 hours, slightly higher than the Montréal average of 4.35 hours. However, some power lines in the eastern part of the city remain more vulnerable to outages and contribute significantly to the index. That is why Hydro-Québec is planning to invest significantly to sustainably improve the reliability and resilience of the grid in this sector.

From late 2026, and more regularly starting in spring 2027, Hydro-Québec will begin work to modernize several lines in the distribution system serving the area bounded by Rue Jean-Talon, Boulevard Acadie, Chemin Côte-de-Liesse and Chemin Canora.

The work will involve, among other things, replacing nearly 300 utility poles, transformers and other equipment. Vegetation control work will also be required in certain areas to ensure that the work can be carried out safely. Once the work is completed, the capacity of the lines will double, which will increase grid reliability and robustness, while helping to meet increased demand resulting from transportation electrification, new constructions and other energy uses.

Citizens are invited to follow work progress on the Hydro-Québec website: https://www.hydroquebec.com/production-reseau/chantiers/projets/travaux-montreal-laval/?ville=mont-royal. 

Better communication with the public

Representatives of Ville Mont-Royal emphasized the importance of having access to timely and reliable information during service interruptions. Hydro-Québec presented the improvements made to its outage tracker, which provides more information on the causes of outages, the progress of repair work and estimated times for service restoration. Residents are also invited to visit the Hydro-Québec website, which will be updated as work progresses in Ville de Mont-Royal.

Close collaboration with the city

Hydro-Québec and Ville de Mont-Royal will continue to work together throughout the planning and implementation of the projects slated for the coming years. They will work together to keep the public informed, coordinate on-site operations and minimize, as much as possible, any inconvenience caused by the construction work.