CanREA provides innovative recommendations for Quebec’s energy future

The Canadian Renewable Energy Association (CanREA) filed a submission as part of the Quebec government’s consultation on the regulation and development of clean energy.

Montreal, July 20, 2023 – The Canadian Renewable Energy Association (CanREA) published a submission today as part of the Quebec government’s consultation on the regulation and development of clean energy, outlining a number of recommendations for modernizing the province’s energy sector.

The Quebec government launched the consultation process to gather ideas from the public and experts on how the legal and regulatory framework governing the province’s energy sector can be modernized.

“Renewable energy is key to a successful energy transition,” says Jean Habel, CanREA’s Director for Quebec and Atlantic Canada. “CanREA’s submission is a call to action for us all to seize this opportunity to act, propose more agile electricity generation solutions, and enshrine in law the province’s 2050 net zero target, in the interest of sustainable development.”

CanREA’s recommendations 

CanREA’s recommendations for Quebec to meet its current and future energy needs and achieve net zero by 2050 include:

  1. Enshrining in law the government’s pledge to achieve net zero by 2050 through sustainable development.
  2. Encouraging the integration of distributed energy resources into Quebec’s electricity mix, including net metering and energy storage.
  3. Allowing agreements for the supply of electricity on (or near, provided that certain criteria are met) sites where the electricity is generated and/or used.
  4. Formulating an integrated energy resource plan.
  5. Enhancing and clarifying the role of the Régie de l’Énergie.

“Our collective vision for a successful energy transition must also include considerations of environmental, social justice and economic development issues,” says Habel. “Many of CanREA’s recommendations address these issues and provide meaningful benchmarks for achieving net zero by 2050.”

Summary of key recommendations

Make the transition to a net-zero future by 2050

Achieving net zero requires all Quebec stakeholders to take action for the energy transition process. Only by working together can we reduce greenhouse-gas emissions from Quebec’s industrial, transportation and construction sectors and ensure that our economic development is environmentally sustainable.

Stakeholder collaboration will play a decisive role in government policy and decision making. For this reason, CanREA recommends enshrining Quebec’s 2050 net zero target in the Sustainable Development Act and the Act respecting the Régie de l’énergie.

Seize the opportunity to diversify our energy sources

Every kilowatt of renewable energy brings climate goals one step closer. But progress needs to be made on several fronts at once: we need to simultaneously boost production, meet increased demand for energy efficiency solutions, and mitigate the impacts of peak demand.

One way that the Quebec government can expand access to decarbonization solutions and break new ground in clean-energy regulation is to legalize alternative forms of electricity supply: Quebec can become more agile in its electricity generation by encouraging net metering and allowing agreements in which power producers can provide electricity consumers with electricity on the sites where the electricity is generated and/or used. Most such agreements could only proceed after Hydro-Québec chose whether or not to exercise its right of refusal, and projects of 5 megawatts or more would be subject to specific requirements.

Reimagine energy resource planning 

According to Hydro-Québec’s Strategic Plan 2022–2026, more than 100 TWh of additional renewable energy will be required to attain net zero in Quebec by 2050. Achieving this ambitious goal requires alignment across the renewable-energy supply chain, from generation to transmission to distribution.

The government’s intent to formulate an integrated energy-resource plan is therefore promising. Such a plan would set the stage for greater collaboration and more effective long-term planning of our energy needs over the next 25 years, allowing our future energy needs to be met in a predictable, consistent and sustainable manner.

CanREA suggests that this plan be created in consultation with stakeholders, reviewed by the Régie de l’Énergie and approved by the government.

Quotes

“Renewable energy is key to a successful energy transition. CanREA’s submission for the Quebec government’s consultation on clean energy is a clear call to action for us all to seize this opportunity to act, propose more agile electricity generation solutions, and enshrine in law the province’s 2050 net-zero target, in the interest of sustainable development.”

“Our collective vision for a successful energy transition must include an environmental component, a social justice component and an economic development component. Many of CanREA’s recommendations take these considerations into account and provide meaningful benchmarks for achieving net zero by 2050.”

—Jean Habel, Director for Quebec and Atlantic Canada, Canadian Renewable Energy Association (CanREA)

For media inquiries or interview opportunities, please contact: 

Virginie Aubé Pelletier 
Advisor, TACT 
514-243-0329 
vapelletier@tactconseil.ca

Bridget Wayland, Senior Director of Communications
Canadian Renewable Energy Association 
communications@renewablesassociation.ca 

About CanREA 

The Canadian Renewable Energy Association (CanREA) is the voice for wind energy, solar energy and energy storage solutions that will power Canada’s energy future. We work to create the conditions for a modern energy system through stakeholder advocacy and public engagement. Our diverse members are uniquely positioned to deliver clean, low-cost, reliable, flexible and scalable solutions for Canada’s energy needs. For more information on how Canada can use wind energy, solar energy and energy storage to help achieve its net-zero commitments, consult “Powering Canada’s Journey to Net-Zero: CanREA’s 2050 Vision.” Follow us on Twitter and LinkedInSubscribe to our newsletter here. Become a member here. Learn more at renewablesassociation.ca.