As part of the study of the credits of the Energy component of the ministry of Pierre Fitzgibbon, we learned that the number of megawatts available is significantly lower than the projects that are filed and to come. (Photo: 123RF)
INVITED EXPERT. Will I have access to enough electricity to carry out my business projects? What will the situation be in 5 or 10 years? These are the kinds of questions we get these days in the industrial sector.
It must be recognized that these concerns are legitimate when the Minister of Economy, Innovation and Energy, Pierre Fitzgibbon, himself admits that projects could be delayed due to the lack of available electricity.
The issue of energy is central to maintaining a favorable business context and encouraging investment in Québec.
Especially since we produce the greenest energy in the world.
This is a powerful development and attraction factor for companies, provided they can meet demand.
Need for predictability and transparency
As part of the study of the credits of the Energy component of the ministry of Pierre Fitzgibbon, we learned that the number of megawatts available is significantly lower than the projects that are filed and to come.
Of course, it would be utopian to think that Quebec will be able to generate all the energy ideally required in the short term.
But our companies need to plan ahead and have access to an accurate picture.
How to meet the required award criteria, which for the moment remain rather vague?
How do we measure the technical capacity and the impact on the Hydro-Québec network?
How are available megawatts distributed across regions?
Business leaders need clear guidance when planning their projects and investments.
Ways to decarbonize
For many companies, the situation is all the more paradoxical in that, on the one hand, they are being asked to decarbonize their activities, but on the other, Quebec is struggling to provide the necessary means to achieve this, i.e. say renewable energy sources.
Manufacturing companies here want to improve their environmental performance.
To do their part of course, but also because it is an indisputable competitive advantage on an international scale.
Furthermore, even if a certain idea seems to persist that manufacturing companies are major greenhouse gas (GHG) emitters, the reality is that producing in Quebec is much greener than in other regions of the world.
This is thanks in particular to the regulations in place and to all the research and innovation deployed by our companies.
Producing more here means producing fewer GHGs globally.
But it makes even more sense by having access to clean energy.
Access to alternative sources
And if the public network is not able to deliver this energy now, what to do in the meantime?
Can we have access to other sources of renewable energy?
Could self-production, with solar panels in particular, be considered and the energy thus produced potentially resold to Hydro-Québec?
As you can see, several questions arise.
We must therefore salute the ongoing consultations in Quebec City on the energy future.
The energy challenge – because yes, it has become a major challenge – must necessarily be considered holistically.
Available green energy is an extraordinary economic lever that benefits the entire population.
However, the burden of energy availability in Quebec must not fall on the shoulders of our businesses, which are already operating in an extremely competitive environment.
Québec’s energy future must be built with our industrial sector.
2023-06-05 17:20:25
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