“We should not seek to become the dollar store for electricity in the world”, illustrated the current CEO of Hydro-Québec, Sophie Brochu, at the microphone of Paul Arcand on Wednesday, alluding to the very low rates. granted to companies that set up here.
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Hydroelectricity at a derisory price has long been at the heart of Quebec’s industrial policy, in order to attract large companies. But since Hydro-Québec will have to produce a lot more electricity to meet demand over the next few years, choices will have to be made. Last April, Hydro-Quebec sent a message to manufacturers to warn them of the establishment of an evaluation process for projects over 50 megawatts.
“We can no longer accept all industrial projects as before. We will have to either choose them, or tell the industrialists who come to Quebec: you have to find your electricity and make your own agreements with suppliers like Boralex or Hydro, but there will no longer be a special rate for you, “says Pierre -Olivier Pineau.
INFO BOX
Quebec owners of Central River Hydro
– 589 megawatt hydroelectric park – approximately one-third of the production of the Romaine hydroelectric complex.
– Thirteen power stations in cascade and three additional reservoirs over some 500 km, along the Connecticut and Deerfield rivers.
– Annually supplies more than 213,000 homes in New England – slightly less than the city of Longueuil (246,000 inhabitants).
