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With more than 34,571 megawatts in 2005, Québec
is one of the largest hydroelectricity producer in the world.
Thanks to the abundance of this hydroelectric resource, large active industries,
particularly in the fields of aluminium, magnesium and pulp and paper
have established themselves in Québec.
Energy has always played an important role in Québec’s
economy. The widespread operation and development of hydraulic resources
have helped in building unique know-how within Hydro-Québec
and all the enterprises involved in the developments. A major industrial
sector has developed around the hydroelectric network, including equipment
manufacturers and large energy consumers, as well as engineering firms
and a considerable number of specialized enterprises.
In addition, the Government of Québec intends to launch major hydroelectric projects in the next 10 years.
New and Renewable Energy
Québec also has an excellent wind energy potential. The operations began in 1998, with the establishment
of an important complex for wind energy production in Gaspésie,
which has proven to be the most significant in Canada with a nominal wattage
of 100 MW.
Furthermore, the increasing concerns related to protecting
the environment and the commitments to reduce greenhouse gases have resulted
in new energy technologies. Among them, hydrogen as a fuel substitute
for oil has sparked growing interest and become more and more likely to
experience significant development over the next decade.
Some fifteen enterprises, Québec research centres
and agencies are working in the hydrogen field. A research unit of the
Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, the
Hydrogen Research Institute (HRI) is the main research centre in Québec
and one of the few centres in the world devoted entirely to this field.
The Institute has conducted research on electrolysis, the storage of hydrogen
and its safe use. The Institute has also worked on several technological
development projects for Euro-Québec Hydro-Hydrogène,
particularly on the demonstration of a hythane urban bus and the production
and testing of a hydrogen-adapted turbine.
Beyond the Boundaries
The Department is active
internationally in matters concerning energy. It maintains relations with
various countries whose energy needs are increasing and Québec’s
expertise is requested in the sectors related to various Energy
Sources.
The Department has therefore reached cooperation agreements
in the field of energy with the governments of several countries, including
the United States and international agencies such as the European Union’s
Joint Research Centre for the study of hydrogen, the Institut de l’énergie
et de l’environnement de la Francophonie (IEPF), the Latin American
Energy Organization (OLADE) and the International ethanol coalition. The
know-how that Québec has acquired over the years has allowed the
province to form new alliances with governments in other countries and
States, which has increased the Québec’s international presence.
A Renewed Interest in Gas and Oil Exploration
Québec has a promising potential in hydrocarbons
that is waiting to be developed. In fact, sedimentary basins favourable
to petroleum and natural gas research make up 13% of Québec’s
territory, which covers an area of more than 200,000 km².
Since 1990, various geological studies, as well as the discovery of petroleum
and natural gas, have generated a renewed interest for exploration. Access
to exploration zones is made possible by well-developed highway and railroad
infrastructures.
Furthermore, Québec is interconnected with the
United States through the gas pipelines Portland Natural Gas Transmission
System (PNGTS) and TransCanada PipeLines Ltd, through which significant
volumes of natural gas flow to New England. The Québec refining
industry also receives a large part of its power supply in crude oil from
the Portland-Montreal pipeline. Québec refineries also export refined
petroleum products regularly to the markets of New England. Finally, in
addition to being an entry point of choice to American and European markets,
Québec is proposing an advantageous fiscal framework that favours
capital expenditures in gas and
oil exploration on Québec territory.
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