"We are able to build dams before 2041," premier says, but won't divulge which four or five rivers are being targeted by the government.
Premier François Legault said Friday that Quebec will need to build four or five new dams to meet future power demands, but won’t say which rivers are being targeted to avoid panicking any communities.
And Legault stressed the extra green energy will be needed if Quebec hopes to render itself carbon neutral by 2050 and also not be taken to the cleaners by Newfoundland and Labrador when the existing 2041 Churchill Falls power contract — which greatly favours Quebec — runs out.
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His dam message contrasts with that of the departing CEO of Hydro-Québec, Sophie Brochu, who had focused the Crown-owned utility on better use of existing resources and energy conservation.
“Before causing anyone to worry, we want to look at them, we want to see the impact on certain communities,” Legault said at a news conference Friday wrapping up a two-day Coalition Avenir Québec caucus meeting in a Laval hotel.
“Unfortunately, at this time I can’t reveal the four or five projects.”
Asked if the plan includes such environmental jewels as the Magpie River and the Petit Mécatina, which were both mentioned a potential projects Hydro-Québec’s 2009-2013 strategic plan, Legault again avoided answering.
“I cannot mention the four or five projects,” Legault said.
Legault argued there are other issues to consider in 2023, which he has tagged a year focused on the electification of Quebec. For one thing, Quebec is shifting from years of power surpluses to shortfalls. Hydro-Québec’s 2022-2026 strategic plan estimates Quebec will not have enough capacity to meet demand starting in 2027.
At the same time, Legault’s government wants to make Quebec carbon-neutral by 2050 and that will require more non-oil power for the green economy; battery plants, green hydrogen, electric cars, trucks and buses. To generate all the power, Legault has said he needs to increase Hydro-Québec’s generating capacity by 50 per cent.
And Legault faces tricky negotiations with Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey as the current contract between the two provinces nears expiration in 2041 and Newfoundland will probably charge Quebec more for power.
Legault has said he would like to have new hydro projects in his back pocket as a Plan B so he does not appear desperate to settle with Furey. Preliminary talks have started between Legault’s office and that of Furey.
Legault noted it takes 15 years to build a hydro dam project and he believes building is an option.
“We are able to build dams before 2041,” Legault said, adding Quebec also wants to work on other options such as energy efficiency, wind and solar power, and upgrading turbines on existing dams.
“There are all these possibilities,” he said. “Right now it’s part of the discussion and I know Hydro-Québec is working on that. But again we also need to know, as soon as possible, what will happen with our contract with Churchill Falls starting in 2041.”
Legault said another issue will come up in the coming months: if Quebec starts to have less power it will have to examine the rates it charges big industry. He said it might make sense to give better rates to industries emitting less greenhouse gases.
The caucus done, MNAs from all parties will resume work at the National Assembly on Tuesday.
pauthier@postmedia.com
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