Renewable Energy in Quebec: 15 Facts

Renewable Energy in Quebec: 15 Facts

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Renewable energy in Quebec Canada - 15 facts

Did you know that Quebec is a global leader in renewable energy? Home to a vast network of lakes and rivers, the central Canadian province utilizes its freshwater resources to power the lives of millions of Canadians and Americans.

In 2021, for example, Quebec generated almost all of its electricity from renewables including hydro (94%), wind (5%), biomass (0.6%) and solar (<0.1%), showing just how much of a renewable powerhouse the province is. Today, its utility operator, Hydro-Quebec, is the largest in Canada, playing an integral role in power exports to U.S. states like New York, New England, and Maine.

Quebec’s continued leadership in providing renewable electricity to North American customers is something we can all be proud of. Below, we check out several facts on renewable energy in Quebec that should interest you! Also see:

82 percent of Canada's electricity comes from non emission sources

15 Québec Renewable Energy Facts

#1 - Nearly 100% of Quebec’s electricity is generated from renewable sources, including [1]:

  • hydropower (94%)
  • other renewables (5%)
  • natural gas (less than 1%)
  • other fuels (less than 1%)

#2 - Quebec is home to several large-scale hydro facilities over 1,000 MW, including [4]:

  • Robert-Bourassa – 5,616 MW
  • La Grande 4 – 2,779 MW
  • La Grande 3 – 2,417 MW
  • La Grande 2A – 2,106
  • Beauharnois – 1,877 MW
  • Manic 5 – 1,596 MW
  • La Grande 1 – 1,436 MW
  • Manic 3 – 1,326 MW
  • Manic 2 – 1,229 MW
  • Bersimis 1 – 1,178 MW
  • Manic 5 PA – 1,064 MW
  • Outardes 3 – 1,026 MW

#3 - Quebec’s hydro fleet is huge; according to the provincial hydro utility, its fleet consists of 63 hydropower generating stations and 28 reservoirs [3]

#4 - Hydro-Quebec has an extensive hydro power infrastructure, accounting for more than 99% of the utility provider’s electricity output [1]

#5 - Quebec exports significant amounts of electricity, sending 13.4 million MWh to the United States in 2023 [5]

#6 - Behind Ontario, Quebec remains the second-largest electricity exporter to the U.S. as of 2023 [5]

#7 - La Romaine hydropower complex is the latest new hydro facility in the province, featuring four plants and a capacity of up to 1,550 MW which can generate up to 8 terawatt hours (TWh) per year [1]

#8 - Hydro-Quebec plans on investing up to $185 billion through 2035 to create around 35,000 full-time equivalent jobs per year between 2024-2035 [1]

#9 - Quebec is home to Canada’s largest hydro plant, the 5,616 MW Robert-Bourassa facility in the north which underwent rehabilitation work that was completed in 2022 [2]

#10 - As of 2022, Quebec was home to 16.5% of Canadian renewable energy “cleantech” companies [4]

#11 - Hydro-Quebec plans on increasing its hydropower capacity by 4 gigawatts (GW) by 2035 via upgrading existing plants and a new large-scale project [1]

#12 - Quebec is home to Canada’s second largest wind power capacity, with 3,970 total MW of power, including the following facilities [4]:

  • Seigneurie de Beaupré / Côte-de-Beaupré – 363 MW
  • Rivière-du-Moulin – 350 MW
  • Lac-Alfred – 300 MW
  • Nicolas Riou – 224 MW
  • Gros-Morne – 212 MW

#13 - Since 2018, Quebec has seen five new wind farms begin operations, including [2]:

  • Mont Sainte-Marguerite - 147 MW
  • Nicolas-Riou - 224 MW
  • Dune-du-Nord - 6.4 MW
  • Belles-Rivières - 24 MW
  • Des Cultures - 24 MW

#14 - Hydro-Quebec plans on developing large wind farms totalling 1,000 MW of capacity and beyond, with a goal to increase its wind-installed capacity by 10,000 MW by 2035 [1]

#15 - Quebec produces just 15 MW of solar energy, accounting for 0.32% of the 4,600 MW already installed across Canada [6]

Quebec’s Renewable Energy Growth

wind farm gaspesia coastline quebec renewable energy

Wind Farm, Gaspesie Coastline, Quebec

Much like other Canadian provinces and territories, renewable energy capacity in Quebec is expected to grow alongside its ambitious hydro, wind and biofuel goals over the next several years. With the continued development of new hydro capacity, the province has many opportunities to provide both Canadians and Americans with more renewably generated electricity.

The Hertel-New York interconnection line, for example, from Quebec to New York City will supply the state with around 20 per cent of its annual electricity needs and power up to one million American households. This power transmission line is an excellent example of how Canada’s energy sector can expand to help meet the growing energy needs of North Americans and others around the world – including oil, natural gas, power, and everything in between!

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Canada is home to 341 major wind energy projects producing power in 2024

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We look forward to having you join our growing community of hundreds of thousands of Canadians who support natural resource development as a means of continued economic prosperity for families from coast to coast.