Quebec’s 2030 Renewable Energy Strategy: A Vision for a Prosperous Future
Quebec is a leader in Canada in the fight against climate change and the transition to a low-carbon economy. The province has set ambitious targets to reduce its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, increase its renewable energy production and consumption, and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.
To reach these goals, Quebec has adopted a comprehensive policy framework that guides its actions and investments in various sectors of activity, such as transportation, industry, buildings, agriculture and waste management.
One of the pillars of this policy framework is the 2030 Plan for a Green Economy (2030 PGE), which was unveiled in November 2020 by the Quebec government.
The 2030 PGE is the first electrification and climate change policy framework in Quebec’s history. It outlines the vision, principles, objectives and measures that will enable Quebec to transform its economy and society in a sustainable and resilient way.
The 2030 PGE aims to reduce Quebec’s GHG emissions by 37.5% below the 1990 level by 2030, and to reduce its consumption of petroleum products by 40% below the 2013 level by 2030.
The 2030 PGE is supported by an implementation plan that defines the climate actions that will be carried out by various partner ministries and public agencies over the course of this decade. The implementation plan will be updated annually and will systematically cover the five following years. The implementation plan also includes indicators and targets to monitor and evaluate the progress and results of the 2030 PGE.
One of the key elements of the 2030 PGE is the development of renewable energy sources, such as hydroelectricity, wind, solar, biomass, biogas, biofuels and green hydrogen. These sources of energy can provide clean, reliable and affordable solutions to replace fossil fuels and decarbonize various sectors of activity. They can also create economic opportunities, stimulate innovation and foster regional development.
Among these renewable energy sources, green hydrogen and bioenergy have a particularly high potential to contribute to Quebec’s energy transition and climate objectives. Green hydrogen is hydrogen produced from water using renewable electricity, such as hydroelectricity. Bioenergy is energy derived from organic matter, such as agricultural residues, forest biomass, municipal waste or wastewater sludge.
Green hydrogen and bioenergy can offer multiple benefits for Quebec, such as:
- Reducing GHG emissions and air pollution by replacing fossil fuels in transportation, industry, buildings and power generation
- Enhancing energy security and diversity by reducing dependence on oil imports and increasing domestic production
- Supporting economic growth and job creation by developing new industries, markets and value chains
- Promoting innovation and competitiveness by investing in research and development, demonstration and deployment of cutting-edge technologies
- Leveraging Quebec’s natural resources and expertise by exploiting its abundant renewable electricity, biomass potential and know-how in hydrogen and bioenergy
To realize these benefits, Quebec has adopted a specific strategy for green hydrogen and bioenergy, which was announced in June 2021 by the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources. The Quebec Green Hydrogen and Bioenergy Strategy (QC Strategy) is a complementary policy document to the 2030 PGE. It aims to create a coherent framework and a favorable environment to accelerate the production, distribution and use of green hydrogen and bioenergy in Quebec.
The QC Strategy is based on five guiding principles:
- Decarbonize: prioritize green hydrogen and bioenergy applications that have the greatest potential to reduce GHG emissions
- Innovate: support research and development activities that can improve the performance, cost-effectiveness and sustainability of green hydrogen and bioenergy technologies
- Shine: position Quebec as a leader in green hydrogen and bioenergy at the national and international levels
- Collaborate: foster partnerships between public authorities, private actors, research institutions, civil society organizations and Indigenous communities
- Adapt: monitor the evolution of markets, technologies, regulations and best practices related to green hydrogen and bioenergy
The QC Strategy sets out four strategic orientations:
- Increase green hydrogen production capacity: support the development of electrolysis projects using renewable electricity
- Increase bioenergy production capacity: support the development of biogas, biomethane, biofuels and other bioenergy projects using organic matter
- Develop green hydrogen distribution infrastructure: support the deployment of refueling stations for light-duty vehicles (LDVs), heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs) and buses
- Develop bioenergy distribution infrastructure: support the deployment of pipelines for biomethane injection into natural gas networks
The QC Strategy also defines four priority sectors for green hydrogen and bioenergy applications:
- Transportation: support the adoption of fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) for LDVs, HDVs and buses; support the use of biofuels for road, rail, marine and air transportation
- Industry: support the use of green hydrogen and bioenergy for process heat, steam, power and feedstock
- Buildings: support the use of green hydrogen and bioenergy for space heating, water heating and cooking
- Power generation: support the use of green hydrogen and bioenergy for grid balancing, energy storage and remote communities
The QC Strategy is accompanied by an action plan that details the measures that will be implemented to achieve the strategic orientations and priority sectors. The action plan includes financial incentives, regulatory instruments, information and awareness campaigns, technical assistance and capacity building programs, pilot and demonstration projects, and international cooperation initiatives.
The QC Strategy has an overall budget of $1.5 billion over five years, which includes $1.2 billion from the 2030 PGE and $300 million from other sources. The QC Strategy also sets quantitative targets for green hydrogen and bioenergy production and consumption by 2030, such as:
- Producing 900,000 tons of green hydrogen per year
- Producing 650 million liters of biofuels per year
- Producing 300 million cubic meters of biomethane per year
- Consuming 425,000 tons of green hydrogen per year
- Consuming 600 million liters of biofuels per year
- Consuming 200 million cubic meters of biomethane per year
The QC Strategy is a visionary and ambitious policy that reflects Quebec’s commitment to become a world leader in renewable energy and climate action.
By developing its green hydrogen and bioenergy sectors, Quebec will not only reduce its GHG emissions and fossil fuel consumption, but also create new opportunities for economic development, innovation and social inclusion. The plan reflects the province’s vision for a green and prosperous future.