Hydro-Québec and Énergir: An unprecedented partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

Source: · ENERGIR · | July 14, 2021

Source: Pixabay

Hydro-Québec and Énergir are proud to announce a unique, one-of-a-kind partnership that will help reduce natural gas consumption among participating customers by slightly more than 70%, thereby reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with heating the residential, commercial and institutional buildings involved.

The increased electrification of buildings with dual energy will offset 540,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent by 2030, at the lowest possible cost to society. The partnership will therefore help Québec reach its objective of reducing GHG emissions by 37.5% by 2030 compared with 1990 levels.

Heating buildings with electricity puts significant pressure on Hydro-Québec’s system during winter peak periods. Dual energy is an excellent way of maximizing the use of electricity in the heating of buildings while limiting the impact on peak periods.

In concrete terms, replacing heating systems fuelled solely by natural gas with dual-energy systems will mean buildings can be heated with electricity most of the time, with natural gas being used only in very cold weather.

The Québec government actively participated in developing the solution and indicated its support by issuing an Order in Council identifying the economic, social and environmental concerns and in which it underscored the project’s importance in reaching the targets outlined in the 2030 Plan for a Green Economy (2030 PGE). A budget of $125 million is set out in the 2030 PGE’s Implementation Plan 2021-2026 to fund initiatives designed to achieve an optimal complementarity of the electricity and gas networks. The two energy providers will soon submit a file in this regard to the Régie de l’énergie for approval.