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MONTREAL, May 30, 2024 - Équiterre congratulates Hydro-Québec for strongly affirming the public nature of energy capacity development, in line with the recommendations that Équiterre made during public consultations on Quebec's energy future last July.
“It is crucial that the government affirm that our energy system remain a public service and that its strategic infrastructure remain public assets. This new strategy is a step in that direction.”
-Marc-André Viau, Équiterre's Director of Government Relations
In Équiterre’s 2023 brief, we stressed the importance that Hydro-Québec “clearly orient its activities towards promoting energy sobriety and efficiency, and foster the development of its expertise in promising energy sectors for Quebec, such as wind power.”
More specifically on wind power, Équiterre's brief also deemed it important to make Hydro-Québec the main partner in the development of new projects with local communities. That is exactly the vision presented today.
Équiterre also highlights the particular attention paid to protecting biodiversity and agricultural land in the vision presented by Hydro-Québec. As emphasized in our brief, it is essential to review land use planning to reduce encroachment on natural environments, including farmland.
“While we welcome the general principles, we note that this wind power strategy is focused on developing energy capacity to meet needs that are ill-defined. Équiterre reiterates the importance of energy sobriety as the foundation of the energy transition, as emphasized by the government in its own energy transition plan,” concludes Marc-André Viau.
Équiterre's offices are located on Indigenous lands that have not been ceded by treaty, which we now call Montreal and Quebec City. We recognize that Indigenous peoples have protected their territories since immemorial times and have used their traditional knowledge to guard the lands and waters. We are grateful to live on these lands and are committed to continuing our efforts to protect them. Read more »
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