Wind Power Development Strategy: Hydro-Québec to Play a Pivotal Role in Partnership with First Nations and Municipalities

With the addition of 10,000 MW of new wind power generation by 2035, this generating option will become central to a successful energy transition. To meet this collective challenge, Hydro-Québec is presenting its wind power development strategy. As a public institution, Hydro-Québec will become maître-d’oeuvre for large-scale wind power projects, which could reach over 1,000 MW, in partnership with First Nations and municipalities. 

Following a wide-range consultation on our Action Plan 2035, it is clear that First Nations and municipalities want direct participation in wind power projects within a development model that includes better planning and coordination. 

In concrete terms, the development strategy includes the following elements: 

• Large-scale projects will be carried out to quickly roll out 10,000 MW of new generation and reduce costs thanks to economies of scale.  
• Municipalities and First Nations will actively participate in projects as partners right from the outset. As shareholders, they will be able draw recurrent, autonomous income that can be allocated to priorities of their choosing.  
• Orderly planning of the whole energy system, in particular with the development of the transmission system.   
• Hydro-Québec will act as shareholder and maître-d’oeuvre for the overall planning and development of large-scale projects as well for subsequent steps. In collaboration with its partners, Hydro-Québec could then use a competitive process to capitalize on the expertise of wind energy players. 

“We’ve been listening, and we believe that by leveraging our role as a public institution, our strategy will help us, with our partners, reach the ambitious target of 10,000 MW,”?said Michael Sabia, President and Chief Executive Officer of Hydro-Québec. “The fundamental goal of our approach is to ensure that public, private, union and community efforts are well coordinated, for the benefit of all Quebecers. We believe that this strategy is the best way to develop wind power in a socially acceptable way, and at the lowest possible cost.” 

Calls for tender will continue to be the preferred approach for smaller-scale projects. Industry partners will participate in such projects, whose scale will be comparable to those carried out over the past 20 years, with an installed capacity of up to 300-350 MW. Hydro-Québec will ensure, in advance, that the target communities are willing to welcome them.