Quebec Tables its First Integrated Energy Resources Management Plan

The Canadian Renewable Energy Association (CanREA) acknowledges the government of Quebec's tabling of its first Plan de gestion intégrée des ressources énergétiques (PGIRE), setting out renewable energy targets through 2050.

The PGIRE establishes targets of up to 25 GW of wind and up to 5 GW of solar by 2050 as part of a broader goal of 150 TWh to meet Quebec's energy needs. Wind and solar are among the lowest-cost ways to add new electricity supply, and the two most installed technologies in recent years worldwide. The PGIRE aligns with this global trend. Meeting its targets and accelerating the energy transition will require sustained renewable energy supply over many years: Quebec's current total capacity is 4.2 GW for wind and 0.02 GW for solar.

"Quebec's PGIRE places wind and solar at the heart of the province's electricity future and recognizes the important role of energy storage," said CanREA President and CEO Vittoria Bellissimo. "Our industry is ready to deliver affordable, reliable and quickly deployable electricity at the scale Quebec needs, which will require clear supply processes, regulatory predictability and new transmission lines to connect this additional clean power to the grid."

The plan recognizes that wind and solar are well-suited to meet the electricity needs of Quebec households and businesses. These technologies are among the most cost-competitive sources of new generation available. Quebec's electricity demand is growing with the electrification of transportation, heating and industry, and building more wind and solar is crucial to ensuring a successful energy transition. Energy storage complements both by keeping the power system running reliably and improving flexibility during periods of peak demand.

CanREA members contributed directly to the development of the PGIRE, including through the Vision énergie initiative, parliamentary hearings on Bill 69, a roundtable convened at the Maison du développement durable with the provincial economy, innovation and energy ministry, and as an intervenor in the Régie de l'énergie's review of the preliminary plan.

"Wind, solar and energy storage will be among the central drivers of Quebec's economic growth in the decades ahead, creating good jobs, delivering benefits to municipalities and Indigenous communities, and powering the sustainable development of many sectors of our economy," said Jean Habel, CanREA's Senior Director of Policy for Quebec and Atlantic Canada, who attended today's announcement at Hydro-Québec's research institute in Varennes. "CanREA members contributed to building this plan and are ready to help execute it."

Habel says the plan also makes it clear that building a modern electricity system requires sustained collaboration across all government departments.

CanREA will be reviewing the full PGIRE in detail and will engage with the government and Hydro-Québec as implementation progresses. 

“Quebec's PGIRE places wind and solar at the heart of the province's electricity future and recognizes the important role of energy storage. Our industry is ready to deliver affordable, reliable and quickly deployable electricity at the scale Quebec needs, which will require clear supply processes, regulatory predictability and new transmission lines to connect this additional clean power to the grid.” 

—Vittoria Bellissimo, President and CEO, Canadian Renewable Energy Association (CanREA)

“Wind, solar and energy storage will be among the central drivers of Quebec's economic growth in the decades ahead, creating good jobs, delivering benefits to municipalities and Indigenous communities, and powering the sustainable development of many sectors of our economy. CanREA members contributed to building this plan and are ready to help execute it."

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

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