View source for Hydro-Québec

{{Short description|Canadian hydroelectric utility}}
{{Use Canadian English|date=December 2023}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2023}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Hydro-Québec
| logo = Hydro-Québec logo.svg
| type = [[Crown corporations of Canada#Quebec|Crown corporation]]
| foundation = {{Start date|1944|04|14}}
| hq_location = [[Hydro-Québec Building]]
| location_city = [[Montreal]], [[Quebec]]
| location_country = Canada
| area_served = Quebec
| key_people = {{plainlist|
* [[Michael Sabia]] (President & CEO)
}}
| industry = [[Electric utility|Electric utilities]]
| products = [[Electric power generation]], [[electric power transmission]], [[electricity distribution]]
| num_employees = {{Unbulleted list|22,806 (2023)|22,051 (2022)}}<ref name="ar2023" />
| revenue = {{Unbulleted list|{{CAD}}16.086 billion (2023)|{{CAD}}16.567 billion (2022)}}<ref name="ar2023">{{Cite book|publisher = Hydro-Québec|title = Annual Report 2023|location=Montreal|access-date=2025-02-16|url=https://www.hydroquebec.com/data/documents-donnees/pdf/annual-report-2023-hydro-quebec.pdf?v=20240308|isbn=978-2-550-96854-2}}</ref>
| operating_income = {{Unbulleted list|{{CAD}}7.203 billion (2023)|{{CAD}}6.862 billion (2022)}}<ref name="ar2023" />
| net_income = {{Unbulleted list|{{CAD}}3.288 billion (2023)|{{CAD}}4.557 billion (2022)}}<ref name="ar2023" />
| assets = {{Unbulleted list|{{CAD}}92.668 billion (2023)|{{CAD}}89.374 billion (2022)}}<ref name="ar2023" />
| website = {{Official URL}}
}}

'''Hydro-Québec''' ({{IPA|fr|idʁo kebɛk}}) is a Canadian [[Crown corporations of Canada#Quebec|Crown corporation]] [[public utility]] headquartered in [[Montreal]], Quebec. It manages the [[electricity generation|generation]], [[electric power transmission|transmission]] and [[electricity distribution|distribution]] of [[electricity]] in Quebec, as well as the export of power to portions of the [[Northeast United States]]. More than 40 percent of [[Canada]]'s water resources are in Quebec and Hydro-Québec is one of the largest hydropower producers in the world.<ref name="Reuters2015" />

It was established as a Crown corporation by the [[government of Quebec]] in 1944 from the expropriation of private firms. This was followed by massive investment in hydro-electric projects like the [[James Bay Project]]. Today, with 63 [[hydroelectricity|hydroelectric]] [[power station]]s, the combined output capacity is 37,370 megawatts. Extra power is exported from the province and Hydro-Québec supplies 10 per cent of [[New England]]'s power requirements.<ref name="Reuters2015">{{cite web|url=http://ca.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idCAKCN0T21SR20151113|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151116021953/http://ca.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idCAKCN0T21SR20151113|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 16, 2015|title=Quebec key to cutting New England power costs: Maine governor |website=ca.reuters.com|access-date=2016-03-15}}</ref> The company logo, a stylized "Q" fashioned out of a circle and a lightning bolt, was designed by [[Montreal]]-based design agency Gagnon/Valkus in 1960.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hydro-Québec Logo - Design and History of Hydro-Québec Logo |url=http://www.famouslogos.us/hydro-quebec-logo/ |access-date=2016-03-26 |website=www.famouslogos.us}}</ref>

In 2023, it paid {{CAD}}2.47 billion in [[dividend]]s to its sole [[shareholder]], the Government of Quebec. Its residential power rates are among the lowest in North America.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=http://www.hydroquebec.com/about-hydro-quebec/who-are-we/hydro-quebec-glance.html|title=Hydro-Québec at a Glance {{!}} Who Are We? {{!}} Hydro-Québec|website=www.hydroquebec.com|access-date=2016-03-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307142118/http://www.hydroquebec.com/about-hydro-quebec/who-are-we/hydro-quebec-glance.html|archive-date=2016-03-07|url-status=dead}}</ref>

== History ==
{{Main|History of Hydro-Québec}}
[[File:MLH & P - monteurs de ligne.jpg|thumb|right|''Montreal Light, Heat and Power'' linemen.|alt=Three men climbing electric poles.]]

===1945–1959: beginnings and development===
In [[Quebec]], advocates for the creation of a public hydroelectric utility protested against high costs, poor [[rural electrification]], and the lack of French speakers in management positions in hydroelectricity companies.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/joseph-adelard-godbout/|title=Adélard Godbout|last=Latouche|first=Daniel|website=The Canadian Encyclopedia|access-date=2016-03-26}}</ref> In 1944, [[Montreal Light, Heat & Power]] company was nationalised, along with its subsidiary, Beauharnois Power, and Hydro-Québec was created to manage the companies.

Quebec Premier [[Adélard Godbout]] adopted a policy of investing 10 million dollars per year in rural electrification.<ref name=":1" /> However, in 1944 the government changed, and the new premier [[Maurice Duplessis]] was opposed to any form of government intervention in the economy.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.hydroquebec.com/history-electricity-in-quebec/timeline/hydro-quebec-first-triumphs.html|title=1945-1959 – Hydro-Québec's First Triumphs {{!}} History of Electricity in Québec {{!}} Hydro-Québec|website=www.hydroquebec.com|access-date=2016-03-26}}</ref> Local cooperatives were created to bring power to rural areas.
[[Maurice Duplessis|Duplessis]] remained in power until 1960, and during that time there were no further nationalisations of companies, and Hydro-Québec mostly served the [[Montreal]] area.

Major projects included:
* [[Bersimis-1 generating station]] completed in 1956, 1,125 MW
* [[Bersimis-2 generating station]] completed in 1959, 845 MW
* [[Beauharnois Hydroelectric Generating Station]] completed in 1961, 1,903 MW.
* [[Carillon Generating Station]] built 1959–1964, 752 MW

Between 1944 and 1962, Hydro-Québec's installed capacity increased from 616 to 3,661 MW<ref>{{cite book|last1=Jobin|first1=Carol|title=Les enjeux économiques de la nationalisation de l'électricité (1962–1963)|date=1978|publisher=Éditions coopératives Albert Saint-Martin|location=Montreal|page=29}}</ref> while lowering residential power rates by half in the [[Montreal]] area.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Boyd|first1=Robert|title=Hydro-Québec: autres temps, autres défis|date=1995|publisher=Presses de l'Université du Québec|location=Sainte-Foy, Québec|isbn=2-7605-0809-9|pages=[https://archive.org/details/hydroquebecautre0000unse/page/97 97–103]|url=https://archive.org/details/hydroquebecautre0000unse/page/97}}</ref>

===1960–1979: the second nationalization===
[[File:Évacuateur de crues R-B.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|The spillway at the [[Robert-Bourassa generating station]] can deal with a water flow twice as large as the [[Saint Lawrence River]].{{sfn|Turgeon|1992|p=110}} Inaugurated in 1979 the 5,616 MW generating station was at the heart of a network of 8 hydroelectric stations known as the [[James Bay Project]].|alt=A giant staircase dug in solid rock in the wilderness.]]
[[Maurice Duplessis|Duplessis's]] conservative reign, now known as the [[Grande Noirceur]], ended when he died in office in 1959. The subsequent election of the [[Quebec Liberal Party]], led by [[Jean Lesage]], marked the beginning of the [[Quiet Revolution]], a period of reform and modernization. In 1962, the US government lent Quebec $300 million. The funds were used to acquire independent power companies.<ref name="Loan from BC">{{cite news |title=Enthusiastic Lesage says BC loan is good for business |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/2240519248 |access-date=13 March 2023 |publisher=The Canadian Press |date=1964| id={{ProQuest|2240519248}} }}</ref> The new government gave Hydro-Québec an exclusive mandate to develop new sites. In 1963 the government authorized it to acquire private electricity distributors, including the [[Gatineau Power Company]] and the [[Shawinigan Water & Power Company]] Hydro-Québec achieved province-wide scope.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.hydroquebec.com/history-electricity-in-quebec/timeline/second-nationalization.html|title=1960-1979 – The Second Nationalization {{!}} History of electricity in Quebec {{!}} Hydro-Québec|website=www.hydroquebec.com|access-date=2016-03-26}}</ref> All of the 46 rural coops accepted Hydro-Québec's 1963 buyout offer, except Saint-Jean-Baptiste-de-Rouville which still exists. In 1964, the Province of British Columbia provided the Province of Quebec with a $100 million loan. $60 million from that loan went to Hydro-Québec. The loan faced controversy in the Quebec legislature.<ref name="Loan from BC" /> Major projects during this period included:
* Manicougan-Outardes Project, a 7-dam hydroelectric complex including the [[Jean-Lesage generating station]] (1,145 MW), [[René-Lévesque generating station]] (1,244 MW), and the [[Daniel-Johnson Dam]] (2,596 MW), originally named Manic-2, Manic-3, and Manic-5 respectively. Because these stations were 700 kilometres (400 miles) away from the urban centres in southern [[Quebec]], through transmission line voltage was stepped up to {{nowrap|735 kV}} for the first time anywhere, led by engineer [[Jean-Jacques Archambault]].<ref>{{cite journal |first=Vijay K. |last=Sood |title=IEEE Milestone: 40th Anniversary of 735 kV Transmission System |journal=IEEE Canadian Review |date=Spring 2006 |pages=6–7 |url=http://www.ieee.ca/canrev/cr52/CR52_735kv.pdf |access-date=2009-03-14 }}</ref>
* [[Churchill Falls Generating Station]], 5,428 MW. The station is in [[Labrador]] and the [[government of Quebec]] negotiated a contract where Hydro-Québec buys power from the project at 1969 prices until the year 2041.<ref>[https://financialpost.com/commodities/energy/quebec-newfoundland-hydro-deal-benefit-generations]</ref><ref>[https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/hydro-quebec-newfoundland-churchill-deal-1.7409673]</ref> That contract had been a source of conflict between the two provinces.<ref>{{cite news |work=Premier's Address on Churchill Falls to the Empire Club, Toronto |url=http://www.releases.gov.nl.ca/releases/1996/exec/1119n06.htm |title=Speaking notes from an address by Brian Tobin|publisher=Government of Newfoundland and Labrador |date=November 19, 1996 |access-date=June 9, 2010}}</ref>In December 2024, Newfoundland premier [[Andrew Furey]] and Quebec premier [[François Legault]] signed a 50-year [[Memorandum of understanding]] that terminated the original contract in 2025. If ratified by both provinces, the rates Hydro-Quebec pays for Churchill Falls electricity would rise by 2,850%.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Smellie |first=Sarah |date=December 17, 2024 |title=After fanfare of Churchill Falls deal, Newfoundland urged to learn its dam lessons |url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/after-fanfare-of-churchill-falls-deal-newfoundland-urged-to-learn-its-dam-lessons-1.7148251 |access-date=December 18, 2024 |work=[[CTV News]] |agency=[[The Canadian Press]]}}</ref>
* Phase I of the [[James Bay Project]]. 

* Hydro-Québec worked with [[Atomic Energy of Canada Limited]] to build the [[CANDU reactor]] equipped [[Gentilly Nuclear Generating Station]], which closed in 2012.

=== 1980–1996: restructuring ===
Because of the economic climate, demand for electricity dropped significantly in the early 1980s, which led to structural changes at Hydro-Québec. It became a [[Joint-stock company|joint stock company]] whose sole shareholder is [[Government of Québec]], to which it pays an annual dividend. It was also given the mandate to export power and to work in any energy-related field.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.hydroquebec.com/history-electricity-in-quebec/timeline/time-uncertainty.html|title=1980-1996 – A Time of Uncertainty {{!}} History of Electricity in Québec {{!}} Hydro-Québec|website=www.hydroquebec.com|access-date=2016-03-28}}</ref>

In 1986 the [[Quebec – New England Transmission]] began bringing power from the [[James Bay Project]] 1,100 kilometers (700 miles) south to the Boston area.

Phase II of the [[James Bay Project]] started in 1987 and took nine years to complete. Construction of the [[Denis-Perron Dam]] began in 1994.

=== 1997–present: renewed growth ===
Like its counterparts in the North American utility industry, Hydro-Québec was reorganized in the late 1990s to comply with electricity [[deregulation]] in the United States. The transmission division, [[Hydro-Québec's electricity transmission system|TransÉnergie]], was the first to be spun off in 1997, in response to the U.S. [[Federal Energy Regulatory Commission]]'s publication of Order 888.{{sfn|International Energy Agency|2004|p=127}} In the same year, the U.S. [[Federal Energy Regulatory Commission]] granted Hydro-Québec a licence to sell wholesale electricity at market prices, enabling Hydro-Québec to expand its market. Hydro-Québec also acquired a substantial share of [[Noverco]], controller of natural gas distributor [[Énergir]], to participate in that market in northeastern North America.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.hydroquebec.com/history-electricity-in-quebec/timeline/renewed-growth.html|title=1997-… – Renewed Growth {{!}} History of electricity in Québec {{!}} {{!}} Hydro-Québec|website=www.hydroquebec.com|access-date=2016-03-28}}</ref>

[[File:Rupert map.png|right|upright=1.0|thumb|the [[Rupert River]] diversion will channel part of the natural flow of the river (yellow on the map) to the [[Robert-Bourassa Reservoir]].|alt=Map of the Eastmain watershed]]

In 2002 the [[Agreement Respecting a New Relationship Between the Cree Nation and the Government of Quebec]] between the [[Grand Council of the Crees]] and the Quebec government made possible the development of the [[Eastmain Reservoir]]. The [[Eastmain-1 Generating Station|Eastmain-1-A]] and [[Sarcelle Generating Station|Sarcelle]] powerhouses and [[Rupert River]] diversion project were completed for $5,000 million CAD. This will provide water power to the turbines at [[Eastmain-1 Generating Station|Eastmain-1]], [[Eastmain-1-A Generating Station|Eastmain-1-A]] and [[Sarcelle Generation Station|Sarcelle]] powerhouses and will provide increased flow at the existing [[La Grande-1 Generating Station|La Grande-1 generating station]] as well as [[Robert Bourassa Generating Station|Robert-Bourassa]] and the [[La Grande-2-A Generating Station|La Grande-2-A]] generator stations.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.hydroquebec.com/sebj/en/eastmain-1-a-sarcelle-rupert.html|title=Société d'énergie de la Baie James|website=www.hydroquebec.com|access-date=2016-03-28}}</ref> Output will be 918 MW.

Other stations commissioned since 1997 are:<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.hydroquebec.com/generation/centrale-hydroelectrique.html|title=Hydroelectric generating stations {{!}} Hydro-Québec Production|website=www.hydroquebec.com|access-date=2016-03-28}}</ref>
* [[Sainte-Marguerite-3 Generating Station|Sainte-Marguerite-3]] in 2003, 882 MW.
* [[Péribonka Generating Station|Péribonka]] in 2008, 385 MW.
* [[Rocher-de-Grand-Mère Generating Station|Rocher-de-Grand-Mère]] in 2004, 230 MW.
* [[Eastmain-1 Generating Station|Eastmain-1]]in 2007, 480 MW
* [[Rapide-des-Cœurs Generating Station|Rapide-des-Cœurs]] in 2009, 76 MW.
* [[Chute-Allard Generating Station|Chute-Allard]] in 2009, 62 MW
* [[Mercier Generating Station|Mercier]] in 2009, 55 MW.
* [[Bernard-Landry Generating Station|Bernard-Landry]] in 2012, 768 MW
* [[La Sarcelle Generating Station|La Sarcelle]] in 2013, 150 MW.
* [[Romaine-2 Generating Station|Romaine-2]] in 2014, 640 MW.
* [[Romaine-1 Generating Station|Romaine-1]] in 2015, 270 MW.
* [[Romaine-3 Generating Station|Romaine-3]] in 2017, 395 MW.
* [[Romaine-4 Generating Station|Romaine-4]] in 2022, 245 MW.

=== Major outages ===
[[File:Tree branch after ice storm.JPG|right|upright=0.8|thumb|The [[North American ice storm of 1998|North American ice storm of January 1998]] left 1.4 million Hydro-Québec customers in the dark for up to five weeks.|alt=Barren tree branches covered with a thick coat of ice.]]In 1988, all of Quebec and parts of [[New England]] and [[New Brunswick]] lost power because of an equipment failure at a substation on the [[Côte-Nord|North Shore]]. The [[March 1989 geomagnetic storm]] tripped [[circuit breaker]]s on the transmission network causing a nine-hour Quebec-wide blackout.

In the [[North American Ice Storm of 1998|North American ice storm of 1998]], five days of [[freezing rain]] collapsed {{convert|600|km|mi}} of [[high voltage]] power lines and over {{convert|3000|km|mi}} of medium and [[low voltage]] distribution lines in southern Quebec. Up to 1.4 million customers were without power for up to five weeks.

== Corporate structure and financial results ==

=== Corporate structure ===
[[File:Quebec Map with Hydro-Québec infrastructures-en.png|left|upright=1.5|thumb|Hydro-Québec generation and main transmission network, as of 2008.|alt=Map of Quebec showing the location of power stations and 450 kV and 735 kV power lines.]]

Hydro-Québec has created separate [[business unit]]s dealing with the [[electricity generation|generation]], [[electric power transmission|transmission]], [[electricity distribution|distribution]] and construction. In 2017, production division generated 1.9B $ of net income (68.4%), transmission division 0.55B$ (19.4%), distribution division 0.33B $ (11.7%), and construction division did not generate any income. Hydro-Quebec redistributes all profits back to the government. In 2017, the crown corporation contributed $4 billion to the Quebec government by means of net income ($2.8B), royalties ($0.7B), public utilities tax ($0.3B) and debt securities ($0.2B).<ref>{{cite news|author=Hydro-Quebec|title=Annual Report 2017|location=Quebec City|publisher=Hydro-Quebec |date=14 November 2001 |volume=133|number=46|pages=7705–7725|url=http://www.hydroquebec.com/data/documents-donnees/pdf/annual-report.pdf|language=en |access-date=2018-10-11 }}</ref>

In the year 2000 with the adoption of Bill 116, which amended the ''Act respecting the Régie de l'énergie'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.canlii.com/en/qc/laws/stat/rsq-c-r-6.01/latest/rsq-c-r-6.01.html |title=An Act respecting the Régie de l'énergie, R.S.Q. c. R-6.01|author=National Assembly of Quebec |author-link=National Assembly of Quebec |access-date=2009-03-14}}</ref> to enact the functional separation of Hydro-Québec's various business units. Legislation passed in 2000 commits the generation division, Hydro-Québec Production, to provide the distribution division, Hydro-Québec Distribution, a yearly ''heritage pool'' of up to 165 TWh of energy plus ancillary services—including an extra 13.9 TWh for losses and a guaranteed peak capacity of 34,342 MW<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.regie-energie.qc.ca/audiences/Suivis/Suivi-D-2008-133_Criteres/HQD-R-3648-2007_Suivi_D2008-133_16dec2008.pdf |title=Respect du critère de fiabilité en puissance - bilan du Distributeur pour l'année 2008-2009 |author=Hydro-Québec Distribution |date=16 December 2008 |publisher=Régie de l'énergie du Québec |page=12 |access-date=2009-03-27 }}{{Dead link|date=June 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>—at a set price of 2.79¢ per kWh. Order in council 1277-2001 specifies quantities to be delivered for each of the 8,760 hourly intervals, which vary from 11,420 to 34,342 MW.<ref>{{cite news|author=Government of Quebec|title=Décret 1277-2001 du 24 octobre 2001 concernant les caractéristiques de l'approvisionnement des marchés québécois en électricité patrimoniale|work=Gazette officielle du Québec|location=Quebec City|publisher=Government of Quebec|date=14 November 2001|volume=133|number=46|pages=7705–7725|url=http://www.regie-energie.qc.ca/regie/Decrets/Decret_1277-2001_24oct01.pdf|language=fr|access-date=2009-10-24|archive-date=July 6, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706202121/http://www.regie-energie.qc.ca/regie/Decrets/Decret_1277-2001_24oct01.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>

According to the 2017 annual report the workforce stood at 19,786 employees, both permanent and temporary workers. And, a total of 1,304 employees were hired.<ref>{{cite news|author=Hydro-Quebec|title=Annual Report 2017|location=Quebec City|publisher=Hydro-Quebec |date=14 November 2001 |volume=133|number=46|pages=7705–7725|url=http://www.hydroquebec.com/data/documents-donnees/pdf/annual-report.pdf|language=en |access-date=2018-10-11 }}</ref>

{{Hydro-Quebec subsidiaries}}

=== Privatization debate ===
[[File:Montreal skyline with Hydro-Québec building.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.25|The [[Édifice Hydro-Québec|Hydro-Québec Building]] is a landmark of Montreal's downtown.|alt=Montreal skyline at night with the Hydro-Québec Building in the center.]]

In 1981, the [[Parti Québécois]] government redefined Hydro-Québec's mission by modifying the terms of the ''social pact'' of 1944. The government issued itself 43,741,090 shares worth C$100 each,{{sfn|Hydro-Québec|2011a|p=90}} and the amended statute stated that Hydro-Québec would now pay up to 75% of its net earnings in dividends.{{sfn|Bolduc|2000|p=245}} This amendment to the ''Hydro-Québec Act'' started an episodic debate on whether Hydro-Québec should be fully or partially privatized. In recent years, economist Marcel Boyer and businessman Claude Garcia—both associated with the [[conservative think tank]] ''The Montreal Economic Institute''—have often raised the issue, claiming that the company could be better managed by the private sector and that the proceeds from a sale would lower [[government debt|public debt]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iedm.org/uploaded/pdf/aout2007_en.pdf|title=Privatising Hydro-Québec: An idea worth exploring|first1=Marcel|last1=Boyer |first2=Claude |last2=Garcia|date=August 2007|publisher=Montreal Economic Institute |access-date=2009-05-05}}</ref>{{sfn|Garcia|2009}}

Without going as far as Boyer and Garcia, [[Mario Dumont]], the head of the [[Action démocratique du Québec]], briefly discussed the possibility of selling a minority stake of Hydro-Québec during the [[2008 Quebec general election|2008 election campaign]].<ref>{{cite news
|url=http://elections.radio-canada.ca/elections/quebec2008/2008/11/08/001-privatisation_hydro-quebec.shtml|title=Faut-il privatiser Hydro ?
|author-link=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation |author=Radio-Canada |work=Québec 2008 |date=8 November 2008|language=fr |access-date=2009-03-18}}</ref> A [[Léger Marketing]] poll conducted in November 2008 found that a majority of Quebec respondents (53%) were opposed to his proposal to sell 7.5% of the company's [[equity (finance)|equity]] to Quebec citizens and businesses, while 38% were in favour.<ref>{{cite web|title=Léger Marketing / Journal de Montréal / TVA / The Gazette Poll- Analysis Report |author=Léger Marketing |date=10 November 2008 |url=http://www.legermarketing.com/documents/pol/081111ENG.pdf |access-date=2009-11-23 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090327021738/http://www.legermarketing.com/documents/pol/081111ENG.pdf |archive-date=27 March 2009 }}</ref>

Commenting on the issue on [[Guy A. Lepage]]'s [[talk show]], former PQ Premier Jacques Parizeau estimated that such an idea would be quite unpopular in public opinion, adding that Hydro-Québec is often seen by Quebecers as a national success story and a source of pride.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.radio-canada.ca/emissions/tout_le_monde_en_parle/saison5/episode.asp?idDoc=67994 |title=Tout le monde en parle (interview)|first=Guy A. |last=Lepage |author-link=Guy A. Lepage |date=16 November 2008 |publisher=Radio-Canada |access-date=2009-04-11}}</ref> This could explain why various privatization proposals in the past have received little public attention. The liberal government has repeatedly stated that Hydro-Québec is not for sale.<ref>{{cite news|first=Denis |last=Lessard |title=Privatisation d'Hydro: " pas dans les cartons du gouvernement " |work=La Presse |location=Montreal |language=fr |date=4 February 2009|url=http://www.cyberpresse.ca/actualites/quebec-canada/politique-quebecoise/200902/04/01-823908-privatisation-dhydro-pas-dans-les-cartons-du-gouvernement.php |access-date=2009-03-19}}</ref>

Like many other economists,<ref>{{cite news |first=Pierre |last=Fortin |title=Vive l'électricité plus chère ! |work=L'actualité |language=fr |url=http://www.lactualite.com/20080820_152623_25296 |access-date=2010-01-07 |date=15 September 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091208105037/http://www.lactualite.com/20080820_152623_25296 |archive-date=8 December 2009 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Le marché québécois de l'électricité: à la croisée des chemins |url=http://www.green.ecn.ulaval.ca/chaire/2005/2005-1.pdf |first=Jean-Thomas |last=Bernard |date=April 2005 |work=Groupe de recherche en économie de l'énergie, de l'environnement et des ressources naturelles (GREEN) |publisher=Université Laval |page=17 |access-date=2009-04-11 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706210616/http://www.green.ecn.ulaval.ca/chaire/2005/2005-1.pdf |archive-date=2011-07-06 }}</ref> Yvan Allaire, from [[HEC Montréal|Montreal's Hautes études commerciales]] business school, advocate increased electricity rates as a way to increase the government's annual dividend without resorting to privatization.<ref>{{cite news |first=Yvan |last=Allaire |title=Privatiser Hydro-Québec ? |work=Le Devoir |location=Montreal |language=fr |date=10 September 2007|url=https://www.ledevoir.com/economie/actualites-economiques/156213/privatiser-hydro-quebec |access-date=2010-01-07 }}</ref> Others, like columnist Bertrand Tremblay of [[Saguenay, Quebec|Saguenay]]'s ''[[Le Quotidien (Saguenay)|Le Quotidien]]'', claim that privatization would signal a drift to the days when Quebec's natural resources were sold in bulk to foreigners at ridiculously low prices. "For too long, Tremblay writes, Quebec was somewhat of a banana republic, almost giving away its forestry and water resources. In turn, those foreign interests were exporting our jobs associated with the development of our natural resources with the complicity of local vultures".<ref>{{cite news|first=Bertrand|last=Tremblay|title=Non à la privatisation|work=[[Le Quotidien (Saguenay)|Le Quotidien]]| language=fr|date=10 March 2009 |url=http://www.cyberpresse.ca/le-quotidien/opinions/chronique/200903/10/01-834994-non-a-la-privatisation.php |access-date=2010-01-07}}</ref>

Left-wing academics, such as [[Université du Québec à Montréal|UQAM]]'s Léo-Paul Lauzon and Gabriel Sainte-Marie, have claimed that privatization would be done at the expense of residential customers, who would pay much higher rates. They say that privatization would also be a betrayal of the social pact between the people and its government, and that the province would be short-selling itself by divesting of a choice asset for a minimal short term gain.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cese.uqam.ca/pdf/rec_94_analyse_hydro.pdf |title=Continuer à privatiser Hydro-Québec, ou consolider ses opérations |first=Léo Paul |last=Lauzon |year=1994 |access-date=2009-03-18 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706211139/http://www.cese.uqam.ca/pdf/rec_94_analyse_hydro.pdf |archive-date=2011-07-06 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news| first=Gabriel| last=Sainte-Marie| title=Vendre Hydro ne règle rien |language=fr |work=[[Le Soleil (Quebec)|Le Soleil]] |date=27 February 2009 |url=http://www.cyberpresse.ca/le-soleil/opinions/points-de-vue/200902/27/01-831785-vendre-hydro-quebec-ne-regle-rien.php |access-date=2009-03-18}}</ref>

== Activities ==

=== Power generation ===
{{further|List of power stations in Quebec}}

[[File:Barrage Daniel-Johnson2 v1.jpg|right|upright=1.0|thumb|The Daniel-Johnson Dam on the [[Manicouagan River]], supplying the Manic-5 hydro plant.|alt=A large concrete dam with multiple arches]]

{{Pie chart
|thumb = right
|caption =Hydro-Québec sources of energy supply (2013)<ref name="2013HQSupplies">{{cite web|author=Hydro-Qubébec|date=2014|title=Hydro-Québec's electricity facts: Energy Supplies and Air Emissions|url=http://www.hydroquebec.com/sustainable-development/pdf/energy-supplies-and-air-emissions-2013.pdf|access-date=May 18, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306031755/http://www.hydroquebec.com/sustainable-development/pdf/energy-supplies-and-air-emissions-2013.pdf|archive-date=2016-03-06|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|label1 = Hydro
|value1 = 96.8
|color1 = DodgerBlue
|label2 = Other Renewables
|value2 = 2.9
|color2 = MediumSeaGreen
|label3 = Nuclear
|value3 = 0.2
|color3 = Crimson
|label4 = Thermal
|value4 = 0.1
|color4 = Gray
}}
On December 31, 2013, Hydro-Québec Production owned and operated 61 [[hydropower|hydro]] plants —including 12 of over 1,000 MW capacity — with 26 major reservoirs.{{sfn|Hydro-Québec|2011a|p=8}} These facilities are located in 13 of Quebec's 430 [[Drainage basin|watersheds]],{{sfn|Government of Quebec|2002|p=?}} including the [[Saint Lawrence River|Saint Lawrence]], [[Betsiamites River|Betsiamites]], [[La Grande River|La Grande]], [[Manicouagan River|Manicouagan]], [[Ottawa River|Ottawa]], [[Rivière aux Outardes (North Shore)|Outardes]], and [[Saint-Maurice River|Saint-Maurice]] rivers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hydroquebec.com/generation/hydroelectric/index.html|title=Discover our Hydroelectric Facilities |author=Hydro-Québec |access-date=2009-05-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080317191920/http://www.hydroquebec.com/generation/hydroelectric/index.html |archive-date=2008-03-17}}</ref> These plants provide the bulk of electricity generated and sold by the company.

Non-hydro plants included the [[base load power plant|baseload]] 675-MW gross [[Gentilly Nuclear Generating Station|Gentilly nuclear generating station]], a [[CANDU reactor|CANDU-design reactor]] which was permanently shut down on December 28, 2012<ref name="Gentilly">{{cite news|author=CBC News |author-link=CBC News |title=Quebec nuclear reactor shutdown will cost $1.8 billion |date=3 October 2012 |work=[[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation]]|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/quebec-nuclear-reactor-shutdown-will-cost-1-8-billion-1.1159201 |access-date=4 October 2012}}</ref> the 660-MW [[Tracy Thermal Generating Station]], a heavy fuel oil-fired plant shutdown in March 2011<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.hebdosregionaux.ca/monteregie/2011/11/04/hydro-quebec-ferme-la-centrale-thermique |title=Sorel-Tracy: Hydro-Québec ferme la centrale thermique |first=Louise |last=Grégoire-Racicot |work=La Voix |location=Sorel-Tracy, Quebec |date=November 4, 2011 |access-date=January 15, 2013 |language=fr |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140318153242/http://www.hebdosregionaux.ca/monteregie/2011/11/04/hydro-quebec-ferme-la-centrale-thermique |archive-date=March 18, 2014 }}</ref> and two [[gas turbine]] [[peaking power plant|peaker plants]], for a total installed capacity of 36,971 MW in 2011.{{sfn|Hydro-Québec|2012a|p=114}} Hydro-Québec's average generation cost was 2.11 cents per kWh in 2011.{{sfn|Hydro-Québec|2011a|p=12}}

The company also purchases the bulk of the output of the 5,428-MW [[Churchill Falls Generating Station|Churchill Falls generating station]] in Labrador, under a long-term contract expiring in 2025.<ref>[https://www.montrealgazette.com/latest-news/article571540.html]</ref> In 2009, Hydro-Québec bought the 60% stake owned by [[AbitibiBowater]] in the [[McCormick Dam|McCormick plant]] (335 MW), located at the mouth of the Manicouagan River near [[Baie-Comeau]], for C$616 million.{{sfn|Hydro-Québec|2010a|p=10}}

{| class="wikitable center" style="text-align:left; width:60%;"
|+ '''Hydro-Québec Production main power plants (2023)'''<ref name="ar2023" />
|-
! scope="col" style="width:40%;"|Plant
! scope="col" style="width:40%;"|River
! scope="col" style="width:20;"|Capacity ([[watt#MW|MW]])
|-
| [[Robert-Bourassa generating station|Robert-Bourassa]]
| La Grande
| style="text-align:right;"|{{Formatnum:5616}}
|-
| [[La Grande-4 generating station|La Grande-4]]
| La Grande
| style="text-align:right;"|{{Formatnum:2779}}
|-
| [[La Grande-3 generating station|La Grande-3]]
| La Grande
| style="text-align:right;"|{{Formatnum:2417}}
|-
| [[La Grande-2-A generating station|La Grande-2-A]]
| La Grande
| style="text-align:right;"|{{Formatnum:2106}}
|-
| [[Beauharnois Hydroelectric Power Station|Beauharnois]]
| Saint Lawrence
| style="text-align:right;"|{{Formatnum:1864}}
|-
| [[Daniel-Johnson Dam|Manic-5]]
| Manicouagan
| style="text-align:right;"|{{Formatnum:1596}}
|-
| [[La Grande-1 generating station|La Grande-1]]
| La Grande
| style="text-align:right;"|{{Formatnum:1436}}
|-
| [[René-Lévesque generating station|René-Lévesque]]
| Manicouagan
| style="text-align:right;"|{{Formatnum:1326}}
|-
| [[Jean-Lesage generating station|Jean-Lesage]]
| Manicouagan
| style="text-align:right;"|{{Formatnum:1229}}
|-
| [[Bersimis-1 generating station|Bersimis-1]]
| Betsiamites
| style="text-align:right;"|{{Formatnum:1178}}
|-
| [[Daniel-Johnson Dam|Manic-5-PA]]
| Manicouagan
| style="text-align:right;"|{{Formatnum:1064}}
|-
| [[Outardes-3]]
| aux Outardes
| style="text-align:right;"|{{Formatnum:1026}}
|-
| colspan="2"| Others (49 hydro, 1 thermal)
| style="text-align:right;"|{{Formatnum:13302}}
|-
| colspan="2"| '''Total Hydroelectric power capacity'''
| style="text-align:right;"|{{Formatnum:36885}}
|}

In 2023, the energy sold by Hydro-Québec to its grid-connected customers in Quebec and exported to neighboring markets came almost exclusively from renewable sources. Hydro (98.53%) is by far the largest source, followed by wind (0.11%) and biomass, [[biogas]] and waste (0.01%).<ref name="ar2023" /> In 2013, emissions of carbon dioxide (1,130 tonnes/TWh), [[sulfur dioxide]] (4 tonnes/TWh) and [[nitrogen oxide]]s (10 tonnes/TWh) were between 49 and 238 times lower than the industry average in northeastern North America. Imported electricity bought on the markets account for most of these emissions.<ref name="2013HQSupplies"/>
{{Clear}}

===Transmission system===
{{Main|Hydro-Québec's electricity transmission system}}
[[File:Poste Micoua.jpg|thumb|left|The Micoua substation on the North Shore of Quebec. This facility converts 315 kV power coming from five hydro plant to 735 kV. This TransÉnergie facility is one of the main nodes of the {{convert|11422|km|mi|adj=on}} long 735 kV network.|alt=Power lines reach a hub in a densely forested area. A road going downhill leads to a forest of metal pylons.]]
Hydro-Québec's expertise at building and operating a very high voltage electrical grid spreading over long distances has long been recognized in the electrical industry.{{sfn|Hafsi|2001|pp=561–562}}<ref name="Farley">{{cite news |first=Peter |last=Fairley |title=TransÉnergie: Playing Two Power Games |work=Technology Review |date=April 2005 |url=http://www.technologyreview.com/business/14287/page1/ |access-date=2009-03-21}}</ref> TransÉnergie, Hydro-Québec's transmission division, operates the largest electricity transmission network in North America. It acts as the independent system operator and reliability coordinator for the [[Québec Interconnection|Québec interconnection]] of the [[North American Electric Reliability Corporation]] system, and is part of the [[Northeast Power Coordinating Council]] (NPCC). TransÉnergie manages the flow of energy on the Quebec network and ensures non-discriminatory access to all participants involved in the wholesale market.<ref name="HQT_profil">{{cite web |url=http://www.hydroquebec.com/transenergie/en/hqt/profil.html |title=Discover Hydro-Québec TransÉnergie and its system - Profile |author=Hydro-Québec TransÉnergie |access-date=2009-03-14 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090803173759/http://www.hydroquebec.com/transenergie/en/hqt/profil.html |archive-date=2009-08-03 }}</ref> The non-discriminatory access policy allows a company such as [[Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro|Nalcor]] to sell some of its share of power from Churchill Falls on the open market in the State of New York using TransÉnergie's network, upon payment of a transmission fee.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.ledevoir.com/societe/243501/nouvelle-entente-avec-hydro-quebec-terre-neuve-vendra-son-electricite-directement-aux-americains |title=Nouvelle entente avec Hydro-Québec - Terre-Neuve vendra son électricité directement aux Américains |first=Robert |last=Dutrisac|work=Le Devoir |location=Montreal |date=3 April 2009 |access-date=2009-04-03 |language=fr }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Denis |last=Lessard |title=Fragile entente avec Terre-Neuve sur Churchill Falls |work=La Presse |location=Montreal |date=3 April 2009 |url=http://lapresseaffaires.cyberpresse.ca/economie/energie-et-ressources/200904/03/01-843076-fragile-entente-avec-terre-neuve-sur-churchill-falls.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090406021947/http://lapresseaffaires.cyberpresse.ca/economie/energie-et-ressources/200904/03/01-843076-fragile-entente-avec-terre-neuve-sur-churchill-falls.php |url-status=dead |archive-date=6 April 2009 |access-date=2009-04-03 |language=fr }}</ref>

In recent years, TransÉnergie's ''Contrôle des mouvements d'énergie'' (CMÉ) unit has been acting as the reliability coordinator of the bulk electricity network for Quebec as a whole, under a bilateral agreement between the Régie de l'énergie du Québec and the [[Federal Energy Regulatory Commission]] of the United States.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hydroquebec.com/transenergie/reliability/modele.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605110012/http://www.hydroquebec.com/transenergie/reliability/modele.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=2011-06-05 |title=Reliability Functional Model for North America |publisher=Hydro-Québec TransÉnergie |author=Reliability Coordinator for Québec |access-date=2009-03-20 }}</ref>

TransÉnergie's high voltage network stretches over {{convert|33630|km|mi|abbr=on}}, including {{convert|11422|km|mi|abbr=on}} of {{nowrap|765 and 735 kV lines}}, and a network of 514 substations.{{sfn|Hydro-Québec|2012a|p=14}} It is connected to neighbouring Canadian provinces and the United States by 17 ties, with a maximum reception capacity of 10,850 MW<ref group="note">This number includes the 5,200-MW Churchill Falls lines, which have no export capability.</ref> and a maximum transmission capacity of 7,994 MW.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hydroquebec.com/transenergie/en/index.html |title=Hydro-Québec TransÉnergie |author=Hydro-Québec TransÉnergie |access-date=2012-03-29}}</ref>

==== Interconnections ====
[[File:HQ - Poste Outaouais 1.jpg|right|upright=0.75|thumb|A rectifier at the Outaouais substation, located in [[L'Ange-Gardien, Outaouais, Quebec|L'Ange-Gardien]]. The 1,250 MW back-to-back [[HVDC]] tie links the Quebec grid with Ontario's [[Hydro One]] network.|alt=A yellow-tinted room with wires and other metallic structures.]]
The TransÉnergie's network operates asynchronously from that of its neighbours on the [[Eastern Interconnection]]. Although Quebec uses the same 60 [[hertz]] frequency as the rest of North America, its grid does not use the same phase as surrounding networks.<ref name="HQ_Outaouais">{{cite web |url=http://www.hydroquebec.com/interconnexion/bulletin/outaouais_en.pdf |title=315/230-kV Outaouais Substation - Start of Work |author=Hydro-Québec |date=June 2007 |access-date=2009-03-20 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081120211422/http://www.hydroquebec.com/interconnexion/bulletin/outaouais_en.pdf |archive-date=2008-11-20 }}</ref> TransÉnergie mainly relies on [[HVDC#Back to back|back to back HVDC]] converters to export or import electricity from other jurisdictions.

This feature of the Quebec network allowed Hydro-Québec to remain unscathed during the [[Northeast Blackout of 2003|Northeast Blackout of August 14, 2003]], with the exception of 5 hydro plants on the [[Ottawa River]] radially connected to the Ontario grid at the time.<ref>{{cite book |title=Final Report on the August 14, 2003 Blackout in the United States and Canada : Causes and Recommendations |location=Washington, DC & Ottawa |date=April 2004 |url=http://www.nerc.com/docs/docs/blackout/ch6.pdf |chapter=6. The Cascade Stage of the Blackout |page=93 |access-date=2009-03-20 |author=U.S.-Canada Power System Outage Task Force |archive-date=June 8, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110608022705/http://www.nerc.com/docs/docs/blackout/ch6.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> A new 1250-MW back to back HVDC tie has been commissioned at the Outaouais substation, in [[L'Ange-Gardien, Outaouais, Quebec|L'Ange-Gardien]], near the [[Ontario]] border. The new interconnection has been online since 2009 and the 315 kV line is fully operational since 2010.<ref name="HQ_Outaouais"/>

One drawback of the TransÉnergie network involves the long distances separating the generation sites and the main consumer markets. For instance, the [[Radisson, Quebec|Radisson]] substation links the James Bay project plants to the Nicolet station near [[Sainte-Eulalie, Quebec|Sainte-Eulalie]], south of the Saint Lawrence, over {{convert|1200|km|mi}} away.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hydroquebec.com/transenergie/en/reseau/caracteristiques.html |title=Discover Hydro-Québec TransÉnergie and its system - Features of Our Transmission System |author=Hydro-Québec TransÉnergie |access-date=2009-03-14 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071102155611/http://www.hydroquebec.com/transenergie/en/reseau/caracteristiques.html |archive-date=2007-11-02 }}</ref>

==== Investments ====
{{update section|date=March 2025}}
In 2011, TransÉnergie invested C$1.3 billion in capital expenditures, including C$460 million to expand its network.{{sfn|Hydro-Québec|2012a|p=15}}

In addition to the new tie with Ontario, the company plans to build a new 1200-MW direct current link between the Des Cantons substation at [[Windsor, Quebec]] in Quebec's [[Eastern Townships]] and [[Deerfield, New Hampshire]], with an HVDC converter terminal built at [[Franklin, New Hampshire]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.northernpass.us/route_information.html |author=Northern Pass Transmission |title=Route Information |publisher=Northern Pass Transmission LLC |year=2010 |access-date=2010-10-13 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101220225647/http://northernpass.us/route_information.html |archive-date=2010-12-20 }}</ref> The US segment of the US$1.1 billion line,<ref>{{cite news |first=John |last=Dillon |title=New Transmission Line Reaches Milestone |work=Vermont Public Radio |date=8 October 2010|url=http://www.vpr.net/news_detail/88975/ |access-date=2010-10-12 }}</ref> would be built by ''Northern Pass Transmission LLC'', a partnership between [[Northeast Utilities]] (75%) and [[NSTAR (company)|NSTAR]] (25%).<ref>{{cite news|date=5 October 2010 |first=Kyle |last=Alspach |title=NStar to build hydro power line |work=Boston Business Journal |url=http://boston.bizjournals.com/boston/stories/2010/10/04/daily23.html |access-date=2010-10-12}}</ref> In order to go ahead, the project must receive regulatory approval in Quebec and the United States. The proposed transmission line could be in operation in 2015.<ref>{{cite news|first=Kenny |last=Constant |title=Energy project unveiled; impact called 'staggering' |work=The Citizen of Laconia |location=Laconia, NH |date=13 October 2010 |url=http://www.citizen.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20101013/GJNEWS02/710139923/-1/CITNEWS |access-date=2010-10-13 }}{{dead link|date=April 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> According to Jim Robb, a senior executive from Northeast Utilities, [[New England]] could meet one third of its [[Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative]] commitments with the hydropower coming through this new power line alone.<ref>{{cite news |first=Rebecca|last=Penty |title=U.S. calls power line a landmark investment |work=[[Telegraph-Journal]] |date=14 November 2009 |location=Saint John, NB |page=C1 |url=http://telegraphjournal.canadaeast.com/front/article/856987|access-date=2009-11-14}}</ref>

=== Distribution ===
[[File:Hydro-Québec transformateur.jpg|thumb|right|A Hydro-Québec employee carries out the replacement of an underground transformer in Montreal.|alt=A man with a hard hat helps a machinery operator lower a transformer to an underground pit in a residential neighborhood. The roads and cars are covered with snow.]]

Hydro-Québec Distribution is in charge of retail sales to most customers in Quebec. It operates a network of {{convert|112089|km|mi}} of medium and [[low voltage]] lines.{{sfn|Hydro-Québec|2011a|p=20}} The division is the sole electric distributor across the province, with the exception of 9 municipal distribution networks — in [[Alma, Quebec|Alma]], [[Amos, Quebec|Amos]], [[Baie-Comeau]], [[Coaticook, Quebec|Coaticook]], [[Joliette]], [[Magog, Quebec|Magog]], [[Saguenay, Quebec|Saguenay]], [[Sherbrooke]] and [[Westmount, Quebec|Westmount]]—and the electric cooperative of [[Saint-Jean-Baptiste, Quebec|Saint-Jean-Baptiste de Rouville]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.areq.org/membres.htm |title=Membres de l'AREQ |author=Association des redistributeurs d'électricité du Québec |language=fr |access-date=2009-03-14 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090620160927/http://www.areq.org/membres.htm |archive-date=2009-06-20 }}</ref>

Hydro-Québec Distribution buys most of its power from the 165-TWh ''heritage pool'' provided by Hydro-Québec Production at 2.79¢/[[kilowatt hour|kWh]]. The division usually purchases additional power by entering into long-term contracts after a public call for tenders. For shorter term needs, it also buys power from the neighboring systems at market prices. As a last resort, Hydro-Québec Production can also provide short-term relief.<ref name="HQ2007">{{cite book |title=2007 Annual Report : Green Energy |author=Hydro-Québec |location=Montreal |date=April 2008 |page=124 |isbn=978-2-550-52014-6 |url=http://www.hydroquebec.com/publications/en/annual_report/pdf/hydro2007en_complete.pdf |access-date=2009-05-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605105500/http://www.hydroquebec.com/publications/en/annual_report/pdf/hydro2007en_complete.pdf |archive-date=2011-06-05 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Supply contracts above and beyond the heritage pool must be approved by the ''Régie de l'énergie du Québec'' and their costs are passed on to customers.

The division signed one [[natural gas]] [[cogeneration]] agreement for 507 MW in 2003, three forest biomass deals (47.5 MW) in 2004 and 2005, and ten contracts for [[wind power]] (2,994 MW) in 2005 and 2008, all with private sector producers. It also signed two flexible contracts with Hydro-Québec Production (600 MW) in 2002.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hydroquebec.com/distribution/en/marchequebecois/contrats.html |title=Electricity Supply Contracts by Technology |author=Hydro-Québec Distribution |access-date=2009-03-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081120103800/http://www.hydroquebec.com/distribution/en/marchequebecois/contrats.html |archive-date=2008-11-20 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Hydro-Québec Distribution is also responsible for the production of power in remote communities not connected to the main power grid. The division operates an off-grid hydroelectric dam serving communities on the [[Basse-Côte-Nord|Lower North Shore]] and 23 small diesel power plants in the [[Magdalen Islands]], in [[Mauricie|Haute-Mauricie]] and in [[Nunavik]].

=== Other activities ===

==== Electric Circuit network ====
{{anchor|The Electric Circuit}}
[[File:Circuit electrique - Hydro-Quebec - 11.jpg|alt=Car charging curbside|thumb|Electric Circuit level 2 charger in use in Montréal]]

In April 2011 the [[government of Quebec]] published a plan to encourage the adoption of electric vehicles, setting a target of 25% of cars sold in 2020 to be electric. The plan also called for provincial utility company Hydro-Quebec to develop a strategy for the deployment of public charging infrastructure.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Morin|first=Annie|date=2011-04-07|title=Québec veut que le quart des autos vendues en 2020 soient électriques|url=https://www.lesoleil.com/actualite/quebec-veut-que-le-quart-des-autos-vendues-en-2020-soient-electriques-576f0ab32b6d31e6f766aa174f509f03|access-date=2021-02-03|website=[[Le Soleil (Quebec)|Le Soleil]]|language=fr}}</ref>  This resulted in the creation of "The Electric Circuit" ({{langx|fr|Le Circuit Électrique}}), the largest public network of [[charging stations]] for [[electric vehicles]] in [[Quebec]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Francoeur|first=Louis-Gille|date=2011-06-17|title=Voitures électriques - Hydro jette les bases d'un réseau de bornes de recharge|url=https://www.ledevoir.com/societe/environnement/325693/voitures-electriques-hydro-jette-les-bases-d-un-reseau-de-bornes-de-recharge|access-date=2021-02-03|website=[[Le Devoir]]|language=fr}}</ref>  The first 30 charging stations were put into use in March 2012.<ref>{{Cite web| last=| first=| date=2012-03-30| title=Inauguration du Circuit électrique: les premières bornes de recharge publiques sont disponibles !| url=https://mern.gouv.qc.ca/presse/2012-03-30-CM_Circuit_electrique.pdf| access-date=2021-02-03| website=[[Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources (Quebec)|Ministère de l'Énergie et des Ressources naturelles]]| archive-date=February 6, 2021| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210206212518/https://mern.gouv.qc.ca/presse/2012-03-30-CM_Circuit_electrique.pdf| url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | last=Cadieux| first=André-Anne| date=2012-04-12| title=Circuit électrique: inauguration des premières bornes| url=https://novae.ca/circuit-electrique-inauguration-des-premieres-bornes/| access-date=2021-02-03| website=Novae| language=fr-FR}}</ref>  The network's first 400V fast charger was installed in 2013.<ref>{{Cite web | last=Raymond| first=Paul-Robert| date=2014-09-29| title=Première borne de recharge rapide entre Montréal et Québec| url=https://www.lesoleil.com/affaires/auto/premiere-borne-de-recharge-rapide-entre-montreal-et-quebec-435f4a24d5534355823abe60b818ebd0| access-date=2021-02-03| website=Le Soleil| language=fr}}</ref>

As of 2023, The Electric Circuit offers almost 3,500 public charging stations in Quebec and [[eastern Ontario]].<ref name="ar2023" />  Usage is also compatible with the FLO and [[New Brunswick]] E-charge network adaptors.{{Citation needed|date=February 2021}}

==== Research and development ====
{{further|Institut de recherche d'Hydro-Québec|TM4 Electrodynamic Systems}}
[[File:Tata Indica EV Engine bay.jpg|right|upright=1|thumb|The TM4 electric engine was developed by Hydro-Québec.|alt=A demonstration car with an electric engine is shown as an exhibit.]]
[[File:Borne de recharge Circuit électrique Cap-de-la-Madeleine QC 2019-03-20.jpg|thumb|right|Hydro-Québec operates [[The Electric Circuit]], the largest EV charging network in Quebec and Eastern Ontario.]]

Hydro-Québec has made significant investments in research and development over the past 40 years. In addition to funding university research, the company is the only electric utility in North America to operate its own large-scale research institute, L'[[Institut de recherche d'Hydro-Québec]] (IREQ). Established by [[Lionel Boulet]] in 1967, the research centre is located in [[Varennes, Quebec|Varennes]], a suburb on the [[South Shore (Montreal)|South Shore]] of [[Montreal]].<ref name="IREQ">{{cite news |first=Johanne |last=Gauthier |title=L'IREQ: leader de l'innovation technologique à Hydro-Québec |work=Choc |date=October 2007 |volume=25 |issue=2 |pages=26–29 |url=http://www.aieq.net/_site/documents/applications/pdf/ChocOct07-IREQ.pdf |language=fr |access-date=2009-03-20 }}{{dead link|date=September 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> IREQ operates on an annual research budget of approximately C$100 million{{sfn|Hydro-Québec|2011a|p=32}} and specializes in the areas of high voltage, [[mechanics]] and thermomechanics, network simulations and calibration.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hydroquebec.com/technologie/index.html |title=Hydro-Québec Research Institute |author=Hydro-Québec Technologie |access-date=2009-05-16}}</ref>

Research conducted by scientists and engineers at IREQ has helped to extend the life of dams, improve [[water turbine]] performance, automate network management and increase the transmission capacity of high voltage power lines.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hydroquebec.com/technology/institut/themes.html |title=Our Innovation Avenues |author=Hydro-Québec Technologie |access-date=2009-05-06 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080704085053/http://www.hydroquebec.com/technology/institut/themes.html |archive-date=2008-07-04 }}</ref>

Another research centre, the ''Laboratoire des technologies de l'énergie'' (LTE) in Shawinigan, was opened in 1988<ref name="Forces_IREQ">{{cite news |first1=Danielle |last1=Ouellet |first2=Alain |last2=Fortier |title=Hydro-Québec and its partners in research and development |work=Forces |date=Winter 1993–1994 |issue=104 |pages=31–33 |issn=0015-6957}}</ref> to adapt and develop new products while helping industrial customers improve their [[Efficient energy use|energy efficiency]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hydroquebec.com/technology/shawinigan/tech.html |title=Energy Technology Laboratory (LTE) |author=Hydro-Québec Technologie |access-date=2009-03-18 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090530120431/http://www.hydroquebec.com/technology/shawinigan/tech.html |archive-date=2009-05-30 }}</ref>

In the last 20 years, the institute has also conducted [[research and development]] work towards the [[electric vehicle|electrification of ground transportation]]. Current projects include [[battery (electricity)|battery]] materials, including innovative work on [[lithium iron phosphate]] and nano-titanate,<ref>{{cite news |title=Moteur électrique: percée majeure chez Hydro-Québec |first=Sébastien |last=Templier |work=La Presse |location=Montreal |date=16 October 2009 |url=http://lapresseaffaires.cyberpresse.ca/economie/automobile/200910/16/01-911848-moteur-electrique-percee-majeure-chez-hydro-quebec.php |language=fr |access-date=2009-11-18 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091203074451/http://lapresseaffaires.cyberpresse.ca/economie/automobile/200910/16/01-911848-moteur-electrique-percee-majeure-chez-hydro-quebec.php |archive-date=3 December 2009 }}</ref> improved electric [[powertrain|drive train]]s and the effects of the large-scale deployment of electric vehicles on the [[electrical grid|power grid]].{{sfn|Hydro-Québec|2011a|p=36–37}} Projects focus on technologies to increase [[range (vehicle)|range]], improve performance in cold weather and reduce [[rechargeable battery|charging time]].<ref>{{cite news |first=François |last=Cardinal |title=Une batterie dans les cartons d'Hydro-Québec |work=La Presse |location=Montreal |date=19 November 2008 |url=http://monvolant.cyberpresse.ca/dossiers/la-folie-de-lhybride/200811/19/01-802158-une-batterie-dans-les-cartons-dhydro-quebec.php |access-date=2009-03-28 |language=fr |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706175219/http://monvolant.cyberpresse.ca/dossiers/la-folie-de-lhybride/200811/19/01-802158-une-batterie-dans-les-cartons-dhydro-quebec.php |archive-date=6 July 2011 }}</ref>

Hydro-Québec has been criticized for not having taken advantage of some of its innovations. An electric [[wheel motor]] concept that struck a chord with Quebecers,<ref>{{cite web|first=Pierre|last=Lavallée|url=http://www.radio-canada.ca/nouvelles/5sur5/shtml/clips/362.shtml|title=Pourrait-on construire une voiture électrique au Québec?|language=fr|work=5 sur 5|publisher=Radio-Canada|date=15 April 2003|time=0:09:30|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090403201124/http://www.radio-canada.ca/nouvelles/5sur5/shtml/clips/362.shtml|archive-date=3 April 2009}}</ref> first prototyped in 1994 by Pierre Couture, an engineer and [[physicist]] working at IREQ, is one of these.<ref>{{cite news |first=Louis-Gilles |last=Francoeur |title=Volvo sur les traces d'Hydro |work=Le Devoir |location=Montreal |language=fr |date=15 January 2008 |url=https://www.ledevoir.com/environnement/171841/moteur-roue-volvo-dans-les-traces-d-hydro |access-date=2010-01-07}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.radio-canada.ca/actualite/decouverte/semaine/970309cs.html |title=La Voiture électrique d'Hydro |first1=Gilles |last1=Provost |first2=Pascal |last2=Gélinas |work=Découverte |date=9 March 1997 |publisher=Radio-Canada |language=fr |access-date=2009-03-30}}</ref> The heir to the Couture wheel motor is now marketed by [[TM4 Electrodynamic Systems]], a spin-off established in 1998<ref>{{cite web |author=TM4 Electrodynamic Systems |title=History |url=http://www.tm4.com/history.aspx |access-date=2010-10-09 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100309054912/http://www.tm4.com/history.aspx |archive-date=2010-03-09 }}</ref> that has made deals with France's [[Dassault]] and [[Heuliez]] to develop an electric car, the [[Cleanova]], of which prototypes were built in 2006.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.radio-canada.ca/nouvelles/Economie-Affaires/2006/09/22/001-Hydro-Voiture-Electrique.shtml |title=Voiture électrique: Moteur québécois, fabrication étrangère ? |author-link=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation |author=Radio-Canada |language=fr |date=22 September 2006 |access-date=2009-03-18}}</ref> Hydro-Québec announced in early 2009 at the [[Montreal International Auto Show]] that its engine had been chosen by [[Tata Motors]] to equip a demonstration version of its [[Tata Indica|Indica]] model, which will be road tested in [[Norway]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hydroquebec.com/4d_includes/of_interest/PcAN2009-005.htm |title=TM4 partners with Tata Motors and Miljø in electric vehicle demonstration project |author=Hydro-Québec|date=15 January 2009|access-date=2009-05-06}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Louis-Gilles |last=Francoeur |title=Hydro-Québec est en voiture |work=Le Devoir |location=Montreal |language=fr |date=16 January 2009|url=https://www.ledevoir.com/economie/actualites-economiques/227671/hydro-quebec-est-en-voiture |access-date=2009-01-07}}</ref>

==== Construction ====
The Hydro-Québec Équipement division acts as the company's main contractor on major construction sites, with the exception of work conducted on the territory covered by the [[James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement]], which are assigned to the [[James Bay Energy|Société d'énergie de la Baie James]] subsidiary.

The construction of a complex of four hydroelectric generating stations on the Romaine River ({{nowrap|1,550 MW}}) began on May 13, 2009.<ref>{{cite news|author=Hydro-Québec|publisher=CNW Group |title=The Romaine Hydroelectric Complex - Premier Charest launches largest construction project in Canada |url=http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/May2009/13/c3507.html|date=13 May 2009 |access-date=2009-05-13}}</ref> The plants have been completed as of 2022 and have added a total of 1 550 MW of power.{{cn|date=February 2025}}

In his March 2009 [[Throne speech|inaugural speech]], Quebec Premier [[Jean Charest]] announced that his government intends to further develop the province's hydroelectric potential.<ref>{{cite news |first=Louis-Gilles |last=Francoeur |title=Une autre rivière à harnacher dans la mire de Jean Charest |work=Le Devoir |location=Montreal |language=fr |date=11 March 2009|url=https://www.ledevoir.com/politique/quebec/238531/une-autre-riviere-a-harnacher-dans-la-mire-de-jean-charest |access-date=2010-01-07}}</ref> The call for further development of hydroelectric and other renewable generating capacity has been implemented in the company's 2009-2013 strategic plan, released on July 30, 2009. Hydro-Québec plans capacity upgrades at the [[Jean-Lesage generating station|Jean-Lesage]] (120 MW) and [[René-Lévesque generating station|René-Lévesque]] (210 MW) stations and a third unit at the SM-3 plant (440 MW). The company will also conduct technical and environmental studies and undertake consultations with local communities to build new facilities on the [[Little Mecatina River|Little Mecatina]] (1,200 MW) and [[Magpie River (Quebec)|Magpie]] (850 MW) rivers on the North Shore, and revive the Tabaret project (132 MW) in the [[Abitibi-Témiscamingue]] region, in western Quebec.{{sfn|Hydro-Québec|2009a|p=19}}

====International ventures====
Hydro-Québec first forays outside its borders began in 1978. A new subsidiary, Hydro-Québec International, was created to market the company's know-how abroad in the fields of distribution, generation and transmission of electricity. The new venture leveraged the existing pool of expertise in the parent company.{{sfn|Cloutier|1984|pp=172–174}}

During the next 25 years, Hydro-Québec was particularly active abroad with investments in electricity transmission networks and generation: Transelec in [[Chile]],<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://www.hydroquebec.com/4d_includes/headlines/PcAN2006-100.htm |title=Transelec Chile: Hydro-Québec sells its stake for C$1.7 billion |author=Hydro-Québec |date=16 June 2006 |access-date=2010-01-07 }}</ref> the [[Cross Sound Cable]] in the [[United States]],<ref name="Farley"/> the Consorcio Transmantaro in [[Peru]], Hidroelectrica Rio Lajas in [[Costa Rica]], [[Murraylink]] in [[Australia]] and the [[Fortuna Dam|Fortuna generating station]] in [[Panama]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bnamericas.com/news/electricpower/Enel_acquires_joint_stake_in_Fortuna |title=Enel acquires joint stake in Fortuna |publisher=Business News America |date=4 August 2006 |access-date=2010-01-07 }}</ref>

It briefly held a 17% share in SENELEC, [[Senegal]]'s electric utility, when the Senegalese government decided to sell part of the company to a consortium led by the French company Elyo, a subsidiary of [[Suez (company, 1997–2008)|Group Suez Lyonnaise des Eaux]], in 1999.<ref name="HQ1999">{{Cite book |publisher = Hydro-Québec |isbn = 2-550-35575-X |pages = 102 |last = Hydro-Québec |title = Annual Report 1999 : All our energy for you |location = Montreal |access-date = 2010-01-10 |year = 2000 |url = http://www.hydroquebec.com/publications/en/annual_report/1999/pdf/rapann_a.pdf |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20040407145644/http://www.hydroquebec.com/publications/en/annual_report/1999/pdf/rapann_a.pdf |archive-date = 2004-04-07 }}</ref> The transaction was canceled in 2000 following the election of president [[Abdoulaye Wade]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.senelec.sn/content/view/12/49/ |title=Histoire |author=Société nationale d'électricité du Sénégal |access-date=2009-03-14 |language=fr |archive-date=February 26, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180226183201/http://www.senelec.sn/content/view/12/49/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Also in 1999, Hydro-Québec International acquired a 20% stake in the Meiya Power Company in [[People's Republic of China|China]] for C$83 million.<ref name="HQ1999"/> The company held this participation until July 2004.<ref>{{cite web|author=Hydro-Québec |title=Hydro-Québec International Sells its Stake in Meiya Power Company Limited of China for US$84.6 Million |date=30 July 2004 |url=http://www.hydroquebec.com/4d_includes/headlines/PcAn2004-106.htm |access-date=2010-01-07 }}</ref> The company's expertise was sought by several hydroelectric developers throughout the world, including the [[Three Gorges Dam]], where Hydro's employees trained Chinese engineers in the fields of management, finance and dams.<ref>{{cite news|author-link=The Canadian Press |author=Presse canadienne |title=Il y a un peu d'Hydro-Québec dans le barrage des Trois Gorges |language=fr|work=[[Le Soleil (Quebec)|Le Soleil]] |date=19 May 2006 }}</ref>

Hydro-Québec gradually withdrew from the international business between 2003 and 2006, and sold off all of its foreign investments for a profit. Proceeds from these sales were paid to the government's Generations Fund, a trust fund set up by the province to alleviate the effect of public debt on future generations.<ref>{{cite news |first=Robert |last=Dutrisac |title=Un milliard au Fonds des générations |work=Le Devoir |location=Montreal |language=fr |date=24 October 2006|url=https://www.ledevoir.com/politique/quebec/121178/un-milliard-au-fonds-des-generations |access-date=2010-01-07}}</ref>

In 2022, Hydro-Québec, through its US Subsidiary HQI US Holding, acquired Great River Hydro, LLC. for the sum of US$2.2 billion.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hydro-Québec |title=Hydro-Québec to acquire 13 hydropower generating stations in New England |url=http://news.hydroquebec.com/en/press-releases/1870/hydro-quebec-to-acquire-13-hydropower-generating-stations-in-new-england/ |access-date=2024-03-26 |website=news.hydroquebec.com |language=en}}</ref>

== Environment ==
[[File:Brochet Luc Viatour.jpg|thumb|right|The [[northern pike]] (''Esox lucius'') is more prevalent today in the [[Robert-Bourassa Reservoir]] than it was before the flooding of the reservoir. The increase of this population has been counterbalanced by a decline in the [[walleye]] (Stizostedion vitreum) population.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hydroquebec.com/sustainable-development/documentation/pdf/poissons/fiche_08.pdf |title=8- Fish Communities |series=La Grande Hydroelectric Complex |author=Hydro-Québec |year=2003 |publisher=Hydro-Québec |access-date=2009-03-23 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081202072953/http://www.hydroquebec.com/sustainable-development/documentation/pdf/poissons/fiche_08.pdf |archive-date=2008-12-02 }}</ref>|alt=A fish.]]

The construction and operation of electric generation, transmission and distribution facilities has environmental effects and Hydro-Québec's activities are no exception. Hydroelectric development affects the natural environment where facilities are built and on the people living in the area. For instance, the development of new reservoirs increases the level of mercury in lakes and rivers, which works up the food chain.<ref name="HQ_Hg">{{cite web |url=http://www.hydroquebec.com/sustainable-development/documentation/mercure.html |title=The Issue of Mercury for Hydro-Québec |author=Hydro-Québec |access-date=2009-03-22 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080905120630/http://www.hydroquebec.com/sustainable-development/documentation/mercure.html |archive-date=2008-09-05 }}</ref> It temporarily increases the emission of [[greenhouse gases]] from reservoirs<ref name="HQ_GES">{{cite web |url=http://www.hydroquebec.com/sustainable-development/documentation/ges.html |title=Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Hydroelectric Reservoirs |author=Hydro-Québec |access-date=2009-05-06 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090803191300/http://www.hydroquebec.com/sustainable-development/documentation/ges.html |archive-date=2009-08-03 }}</ref> and contributes to shoreline erosion.

In addition, hydroelectric facilities transform the human environment. They create new obstacles to navigation, flood traditional hunting and trapping grounds, force people to change their eating habits due to the elevated mercury content of some species of fish, destroy invaluable artifacts that would help trace the human presence on the territory, and disrupt the society and culture of Aboriginal people living near the facilities.

Since the early 1970s, Hydro-Québec has been aware of the environmental externalities of its operations. The adoption of a Quebec statute on environmental quality in 1972, the cancellation of Champigny Project, a planned [[pumped storage]] plant in the [[Jacques-Cartier River]] valley in 1973, and the James Bay negotiations leading to the [[James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement]] in 1975, forced the company to reconsider its practices.{{sfn|Dubeau|1995|p=242}}

To address environmental concerns, Hydro-Québec established an environmental protection committee in 1970 and an Environmental Management unit in September 1973.{{sfn|Dubeau|1995|p=241}} Its mandate is to study and measure the environmental effects of the company, prepare impact assessment, and develop mitigation strategies for new and existing facilities, while conducting research projects in these areas, in cooperation with the scientific community.

=== Effects on the natural environment ===
[[File:Caribou traversant la rivière aux Feuilles.jpg|right|thumb|The [[caribou]] population near major reservoirs in northern Quebec has increased between 1970 and 2000.{{sfn|Hayeur|2001|p=110}}|alt=A herd of Cariboo crossing a remote river.]]

In the late 1970s, the company set up a network of 27 monitoring stations to measure the effects of the James Bay Project{{sfn|Dubeau|1995|p=243}} which provide a wealth of data on northern environments. The first 30 years of studies in the James Bay area have confirmed that mercury levels in fish increase by 3 to 6 times over the first 5 to 10 years after the flooding of a reservoir, but then gradually revert to their initial values after 20 to 30 years. These results confirm similar studies conducted elsewhere in Canada, the United States and Finland.{{sfn|Hayeur|2001|p=110}} Research also found that it is possible to reduce human exposure to mercury even when fish constitutes a significant part of a population's diet. Exposure risks can be mitigated without overly reducing the consumption of fish, simply by avoiding certain species and fishing spots.{{sfn|Hayeur|2001|p=110}}

Despite the fact that the transformation of a terrestrial environment into an aquatic environment constitutes a major change and that flooding leads to the displacement or death of nonmigratory animals, the riparian environments lost through flooding are partially replaced by new ones on the exposed banks of reduced-flow rivers. The biological diversity of reservoir islands is comparable to other islands in the area and the reservoir [[drawdown (hydrology)|drawdown]] zone is used by a variety of wildlife. The population of migratory species of interest such as the [[caribou]] have even increased to the point where the hunt has been expanded.{{sfn|Hayeur|2001|p=89}}

Emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG) rise significantly for a few years after reservoir impoundment, and then stabilize after 10 years to a level similar to that of surrounding lakes.<ref name="HQ_GES"/> Gross GHG emissions of reservoirs in the James Bay area fluctuate around 30,000 tonnes of CO<sub>2</sub> equivalent per TWh of generated power.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hydroquebec.com/sustainable-development/documentation/pdf/options_energetiques/pop_01_06.pdf |title=Comparing Power Generation Options |first=Luc |last=Gagnon |date=January 2003 |publisher=Hydro-Québec |page=8 |access-date=2009-05-06 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090920223134/http://www.hydroquebec.com/sustainable-development/documentation/pdf/options_energetiques/pop_01_06.pdf |archive-date=2009-09-20 }}</ref> Hydro-Québec claims its hydroelectric plants release 35 times less GHG than comparable gas-fired plants and 70 times less than coal-fired ones and that they constitute the "option with the best performance" overall.<ref name="HQ_GES"/>

=== Social effects and sustainable development ===
[[File:03 Chisasibi - welcome sign closeup.jpg|thumb|right|Of all Cree communities, [[Chisasibi]] was most affected by the James Bay hydroelectric development project{{sfn|Hayeur|2001|p=110}} Crees living on Fort George island resettled to the new village on the left bank of La Grande River in 1980–1981.|alt=A road sign welcoming people to Chisasibi.]]

Another major environmental concern relates to the population of areas affected by hydroelectric development, specifically the [[Innu]] of the North Shore and the [[Cree]] and [[Inuit]] in Northern Quebec. The hydroelectric developments of the last quarter of the 20th century have accelerated the settling process among Aboriginal populations that started in the 1950s. Among the reasons cited for the increased adoption of a sedentary lifestyle among these peoples are the establishment of Aboriginal businesses, the introduction of paid labor, and the flooding of traditional trapping and fishing lands by the new reservoirs, along with the operation of social and education services run by the communities themselves under the [[James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement]].{{sfn|Hayeur|2001|p=89}}

Some native communities, particularly the Crees, have come to a point "where they increasingly resemble the industrialized society of the South", notes a Hydro-Québec report summarizing the research conducted in the area between 1970 and 2000. The report adds that a similar phenomenon was observed after the construction of roads and hydroelectric plants near isolated communities in northern Canada and Scandinavia. However, growing social problems and rising unemployment have followed the end of the large construction projects in the 1990s. The report concludes that future economic and social development in the area "will largely depend on the desire for cooperation among the various players".{{sfn|Hayeur|2001|p=89}}

After the strong rejection of the Suroît project and its subsequent cancellation in November 2004, Hydro-Québec, under the leadership of its new CEO [[Thierry Vandal]], reaffirmed Hydro-Québec's commitment towards energy efficiency, hydropower and development of alternative energy.{{sfn|Vandal|2005|p=236}} Since then, Hydro-Québec regularly stresses three criteria for any new hydroelectric development undertaken by the company: projects must be cost effective, environmentally acceptable and well received by the communities.<ref name="HQ2007"/> Hydro-Québec has also taken part in a series of [[sustainable development]] initiatives since the late 1980s. Its approach is based on three principles: economic development, social development and environmental protection.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hydroquebec.com/sustainable-development/approche/definir.html |title=Our Integrated Approach: Defining Sustainable Development |author=Hydro-Québec |access-date=2009-05-06 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090422061022/http://www.hydroquebec.com/sustainable-development/approche/definir.html |archive-date=2009-04-22 }}</ref> Since 2007 the company adheres to the [[Global Reporting Initiative]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hydroquebec.com/sustainable-development/gri/index.html |title=Adhering to the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Guidelines: Summary |author=Hydro-Québec |access-date=2009-05-06 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090330070411/http://www.hydroquebec.com/sustainable-development/gri/index.html |archive-date=2009-03-30 }}</ref> which governs the collection and publication of sustainability performance information. The company employs 250 professionals and managers in the environmental field and has implemented an [[ISO 14000|ISO 14001]]-certified environmental management system.<ref>{{cite book |title=Sustainability Report 2007: Sustainable Energy |author=Hydro-Québec |location=Montreal |year=2008 |page=44 |isbn=978-2-550-52018-4 |url=http://www.hydroquebec.com/publications/en/enviro_performance/pdf/rdd_2007_en.pdf |access-date=2009-05-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605113045/http://www.hydroquebec.com/publications/en/enviro_performance/pdf/rdd_2007_en.pdf |archive-date=2011-06-05 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Additionally, the [[Innu|Innu Nation]] filed a $4 billion claim against Hydro-Québec in October 2020 to receive compensation for damages caused by the [[Churchill Falls Generating Station]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2022|title=Fifty-year-old bill comes due|url=https://50yearspastdue.ca/|access-date=2022-02-13|website=Past Due|language=en-US}}</ref>

== Rates and customers ==

=== Quebec market ===
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{| class="wikitable centre" style="text-align:right; width:95%;"
|+ '''Operating statistics as of December 31, 2010 and 2011'''{{sfn|Hydro-Québec|2012a|p=96}}
|-
! scope="col" style="width:28%; background:white; border-top-color:white; border-left-color:white;" rowspan="2"|
! scope="col" style="width:18%;" colspan="2"|Number of customers
! scope="col" style="width:18%;" colspan="2"|Sales in Quebec (GWh)
! scope="col" style="width:18%;" colspan="2"|Revenue (C$M)
! scope="col" style="width:18%;" colspan="2"|Average annual consumption ([[kilowatt hour|kWh]])
|-
! style="text-align:center; width:9%; background:#ddd;"| 2011
! style="text-align:center; width:9%;"| 2010
! style="text-align:center; width:9%; background:#ddd;"| 2011
! style="text-align:center; width:9%;"| 2010
! style="text-align:center; width:9%; background:#ddd;"| 2011
! style="text-align:center; width:9%;"| 2010
! style="text-align:center; width:9%; background:#ddd;"| 2011
! style="text-align:center; width:9%;"| 2010
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:left;"| Residential and farm
| style="text-align:right; background:#ddd;"|{{formatnum:3746397}}
| style="text-align:right;"|{{formatnum:3698169}}
| style="text-align:right; background:#ddd;"|{{formatnum:62748}}
| style="text-align:right;"|{{formatnum:59534}}
| style="text-align:right; background:#ddd;"|{{formatnum:4536}}
| style="text-align:right;"|{{formatnum:4302}}
| style="text-align:right; background:#ddd;"|{{formatnum:16857}}
| style="text-align:right;"|{{formatnum:16205}}
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:left;"| General and institutional
| style="text-align:right; background:#ddd;"|{{formatnum:291212}}
| style="text-align:right;"|{{formatnum:300163}}
| style="text-align:right; background:#ddd;"|{{formatnum:33569}}
| style="text-align:right;"|{{formatnum:33865}}
| style="text-align:right; background:#ddd;"|{{formatnum:2599}}
| style="text-align:right;"|{{formatnum:2648}}
| style="text-align:right; background:#ddd;"|{{formatnum:113529}}
| style="text-align:right;"|{{formatnum:113347}}
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:left;"| Industrial
| style="text-align:right; background:#ddd;"|{{formatnum:18573}}
| style="text-align:right;"|{{formatnum:9589}}
| style="text-align:right; background:#ddd;"|{{formatnum:67621}}
| style="text-align:right;"|{{formatnum:68439}}
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| style="text-align:right;"|{{formatnum:3185}}
| style="text-align:right; background:#ddd;"|{{formatnum:4802287}}
| style="text-align:right;"|{{formatnum:7049027}}
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:left;"| Others
| style="text-align:right; background:#ddd;"|{{formatnum:4013}}
| style="text-align:right;"|{{formatnum:3868}}
| style="text-align:right; background:#ddd;"|{{formatnum:6028}}
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| style="text-align:right; background:#ddd;"|{{formatnum:323}}
| style="text-align:right;"|{{formatnum:371}}
| style="text-align:right; background:#ddd;"|{{formatnum:1529755}}
| style="text-align:right;"|{{formatnum:2033506}}
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:left;"|Total
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| style="text-align:right;"|{{formatnum:4011789}}
| style="text-align:right; background:#ddd;"|{{formatnum:169966}}
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| style="text-align:right;"|
|}

[[File:Hq tarifs-ipc-en.svg|right|upright=1.0|thumb|Evolution of Hydro-Québec residential rates (turquoise) and the Quebec [[Consumer price index]] (dark blue) between 1998 and 2011.|alt=Graph showing the evolution of inflation and Hydro-Québec rates. Inflation raised more rapidly than Hydro-Québec's residential rate between 1998 and 2011.]]

At the end of 2010, Hydro-Québec served 4,060,195 customers{{sfn|Hydro-Québec|2012a|p=96}} grouped into three broad categories: residential and farm (D Rate), commercial and institutional (G Rate) and industrial (M and L rates). The ''Other'' category includes public lighting systems and municipal distribution systems.

About a dozen distribution rates are set annually by the ''Régie de l'énergie'' after public hearings. Pricing is based on the cost of delivery, which includes the cost of supply and transmission, depreciation on fixed assets and provisions for the maintenance of facilities, customer growth and a profit margin.

Rates are uniform throughout Quebec and are based on consumer type and volume of consumption. All rates vary in block to mitigate any cross-subsidization effect between residential, commercial and industrial customers.

Hydro-Québec retail rates are among the lowest in North America.<ref>{{cite press release|publisher=[[Fitch Group|Fitch Ratings]] |title=Fitch Rates Hydro-Quebec's US$3B Medium-Term Note Program 'AA-'; Outlook Stable |url=http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20120131007037/en/Fitch-Rates-Hydro-Quebecs-US3B-Medium-Term-Note-Program |date=31 January 2012 |access-date=2012-03-11}}</ref> After a five-year rate freeze, between May 1, 1998 and January 1, 2004,<ref>{{cite book |title=Strategic Plan 2004-2008 |author=Hydro-Québec |publisher=Hydro-Québec |location=Montreal |year=2003 |page=220 |isbn=2-550-41592-2 |url=http://www.hydroquebec.com/publications/en/strategic_plan/pdf/plan-strategique-2004-2008.pdf |access-date=2009-05-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605113118/http://www.hydroquebec.com/publications/en/strategic_plan/pdf/plan-strategique-2004-2008.pdf |archive-date=2011-06-05 |url-status=dead }}</ref> the ''Régie'' granted rate increases on 8 occasions between 2004 and 2010 for a total of 18.4%.<ref>{{cite news |first=Olivier |last=Bourque |title=Pas de hausse de tarifs pour Hydro l'an prochain |work=Argent |language=fr |date=3 August 2010 |url=http://argent.canoe.ca/lca/affaires/quebec/archives/2010/08/20100803-103238.html |access-date=2012-03-11 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120604185629/http://argent.canoe.ca/lca/affaires/quebec/archives/2010/08/20100803-103238.html |archive-date=4 June 2012 }}</ref> More recently, the regulator ordered two successive rate rollbacks in 2011 (0.4%) and 2012 (0.5%). However, rates are expected to go up by 3.7% a year from 2014 to 2018 to reflect a gradual increase of heritage pool electricity announced in the 2010 Quebec budget.<ref>{{cite news|first=Lynn |last=Moore |title=Hydro-Québec ordered to roll back its rates |work=Global Montreal |url=http://www.globalmontreal.com/hydro-qu%C3%A9bec+ordered+to+roll+back+its+rates/6442597622/story.html |date=9 March 2012 |access-date=2012-03-11}}</ref>

==== Residential customers ====
[[File:Thermostat électronique.jpg|left|upright=0.65|thumb|Electric heating accounts for more than half of the electricity used by residential customers in Quebec, according to Hydro-Québec.|alt=Electronic thermostat showing a temperature of 22°C.]]

The average consumption of residential and agricultural customers is relatively high, at 16,857 kWh per year in 2011,{{sfn|Hydro-Québec|2012a|p=96}} because of the widespread use of electricity as the main source of [[electric heating|space]] (77%) and [[water heating]] (90%).{{sfn|Hydro-Québec|2012b|p=14}} Hydro-Québec estimates that heating accounts for more than one half of the electricity demand in the residential sector.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hydroquebec.com/residential/consommation/index.html |title=Factors that Influence your Consumption |author=Hydro-Québec |publisher=Hydro-Québec |access-date=2010-01-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121220062703/http://www.hydroquebec.com/residential/consommation/index.html |archive-date=2012-12-20 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

This preference for electric heating makes electricity demand more unpredictable, but offers some environmental benefits. Despite Quebec's very cold climate in winter, [[greenhouse gases]] emissions in the residential sector accounted for only 5.5% (4.65 Mt {{chem|CO|2}} eq.) of all emissions in Quebec in 2006. Emissions from the residential sector in Quebec fell by 30% between 1990 and 2006.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mddep.gouv.qc.ca/changements/ges/2006/inventaire2006.pdf |title=Inventaire québécois des émissions de gaz à effet de serre en 2006 et évolution depuis 1990 |author=Government of Quebec |language=fr |date=November 2008 |publisher=Quebec Department of Sustainable Development, Environment and Parks |access-date=2009-03-19 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110616023159/http://www.mddep.gouv.qc.ca/changements/ges/2006/inventaire2006.pdf |archive-date=2011-06-16 }}</ref>

Residential use of electricity fluctuates from one year to another, and is strongly [[correlation and dependence|correlated]] with the weather. Contrary to the trend in neighboring networks, Hydro-Québec's system is winter-[[peak demand|peaking]]. A new all-time consumption record was set on January 23, 2013 with a load of {{nowrap|38,910 MW}}.<ref>{{cite news|author=CBC News |author-link=CBC News |title=Quebec hits all-time high for power consumption during cold snap |work=CBC.ca |date=January 23, 2013 |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/quebec-hits-all-time-high-for-power-consumption-during-cold-snap-1.1308251 |access-date=January 23, 2013}}</ref> Previous records were established on January 24, 2011 with {{nowrap|37,717 MW}}, on January 16, 2009, with a load of {{nowrap|37,230 MW}},{{sfn|Hydro-Québec|2010a|p=20}}<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cyberpresse.ca/le-soleil/actualites/environnement/201101/23/01-4362935-vague-de-froid-hydro-prevoit-une-pointe-de-consommation-historique.php|title= Vague de froid: Hydro prévoit une pointe de consommation historique |language=fr |work=Le Soleil |location=Quebec City |date =23 January 2011 |access-date=2011-01-23}}</ref> and on January 15, 2004 when peak reached {{nowrap|36,268 MW}}.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.ledevoir.com/societe/227663/froid-siberien-le-reseau-d-hydro-pousse-a-son-extreme-limite |title=Froid sibérien - Le réseau d'Hydro poussé à son extrême limite |first=Marco |last=Bélair-Cirino |work=Le Devoir |location=Montreal |language=fr |date=16 January 2009|access-date=2010-01-07}}</ref>

[[File:Landis+Gyr FocusAXR-SD Hydro-Quebec.JPG|right|upright=0.4|thumb|A Hydro-Québec digital power meter.|alt=A 2010s-style digital power meter.]]
The price of electricity for residences and farms includes a 40.64¢ daily subscription fee, and two price levels depending on consumption. The rates are all-included: power, transmission and distribution costs, but are subject to the [[Goods and Services Tax (Canada)|Goods and Services Tax]] (GST) and the [[Quebec Sales Tax]] (QST).<ref>{{cite web |author=Hydro-Québec |title=Regular bill |url=http://www.hydroquebec.com/rates/facture/pop_reguliere.html |access-date=2010-09-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120815182151/http://www.hydroquebec.com/rates/facture/pop_reguliere.html |archive-date=2012-08-15 |url-status=dead }}</ref> As of April 1, 2012, customers pay 5.32¢/kWh for the first 30 daily kWh, while the remainder is sold at 7.51¢/kWh.<ref>{{cite web |author=Hydro-Québec |title=Rate D – Domestic rate (residential and farms) |url=http://www.hydroquebec.com/residential/tarif-residentiel.html#tarif-d |date=April 2012 |access-date=2012-05-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121220053856/http://www.hydroquebec.com/residential/tarif-residentiel.html#tarif-d |archive-date=2012-12-20 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The average monthly bill for a residential customer was approximately C$100 in 2008.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.regie-energie.qc.ca/documents/communiques/Communique_hqdtarif09.pdf |title=La Régie de l'énergie rend sa décision relative à la demande de modifier les tarifs d'Hydro-Québec dans ses activités de distribution, en appliquant une hausse tarifaire de 1,2 % à compter du 1er avril 2009 |author=Régie de l'énergie du Québec |language=fr |date=6 March 2009 |access-date=2009-03-18 |archive-date=March 19, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090319201245/http://www.regie-energie.qc.ca/documents/communiques/Communique_hqdtarif09.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Electric meter readings are usually conducted every two months and bills are bimonthly. However, the company offers an optional ''Equalized Payment Plan'' allowing residential customers to pay their annual electricity costs in 12 monthly installments, based on past consumption patterns of the current customer address and the average temperature in that location.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hydroquebec.com/simple/payment/index.html|title=Equalized Payments Plan and Authorized Payment|author=Hydro-Québec Distribution|access-date=2009-05-06|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090429053258/http://hydroquebec.com/simple/payment/index.html|archive-date=2009-04-29}}</ref>

In 2007, Hydro-Québec pulled out of a Canadian government initiative to install [[smart meter]]s across the province, stating that it would be "too costly to deliver real savings".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/hydro-quebec-shelves-smart-meters-1.640223 |title=Hydro Quebec shelves smart meters|date=10 December 2007 |work=[[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation]] |access-date=2009-05-06 |author=CBC News |author-link=CBC News }}</ref> Since then, Hydro-Québec organized a 2-year pilot project, involving 2,000 customers in 4 cities, with [[Net metering|time of use metering]]. A report, filed with the ''Régie de l'énergie'', in the summer of 2010 concluded that the effect of [[marginal cost pricing]] with three levels of pricing in the winter would lead to minimal load and energy savings.<ref>{{cite web|author=Hydro-Québec Distribution |date=2 August 2010 |title=HQD-12, Document 6 – Rapport final du Projet Tarifaire Heure Juste |language=fr |publisher=Régie de l'énergie du Québec |access-date=2011-01-17 |url=http://www.regie-energie.qc.ca/audiences/3740-10/Demande3740-10/B-1_HQD-12Doc6_3740_02aout10.pdf}}</ref> The company intends to gradually phase-in [[Advanced Metering Infrastructure]] (AMI) between 2011 and 2017. Early efforts will focus on meter data transfer, connect-disconnect, outage detection and theft reduction.<ref>{{cite news |title=Electric Light & Power 2010 Utility of the Year: Hydro-Quebec |first=Kristen |last=Wright |work=Electric Light & Power |date=December 2010 |volume=88 |issue=6 |access-date=2011-01-17 |url=http://www.elp.com/index/display/article-display/1243086279/articles/electric-light-power/volume-88/issue-6/features/electric-light-power-2010-utility-of-the-year-hydro-quebec.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120317011649/http://www.elp.com/index/display/article-display/1243086279/articles/electric-light-power/volume-88/issue-6/features/electric-light-power-2010-utility-of-the-year-hydro-quebec.html |archive-date=2012-03-17 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==== Industrial customers ====
[[File:Usine Alcan Laterrière2.JPG|left|upright=1.0|thumb|[[Rio Tinto Alcan]]'s Laterriere smelter in [[Saguenay, Quebec|Saguenay]]. Large industrial users, especially the metallurgy and the pulp and paper industries, use 40.6% of all electricity sold in Quebec.|alt=A large aluminium smelter.]]
For more than a century, industrial development in Quebec has been stimulated by the abundance of hydroelectric resources. Energy represents a significant expenditure in the pulp and paper and aluminum sectors. two industries with long-standing traditions in Quebec. In 2010, industrial customers purchased 68.4 TWh from Hydro-Québec, representing 40.4% of all electricity sold by the company on the domestic market.{{sfn|Hydro-Québec|2011a|page=97}}

[[File:Smurfit-Stone La Tuque 1.jpg|left|upright=1.0|thumb|The Smurfit-Stone paper mill in [[La Tuque, Quebec|La Tuque]].|alt=A large paper mill.]]
The Quebec government uses low electricity rates to attract new business and consolidate existing jobs. Despite its statutory obligation to sell electric power to every person who so requests, the province has reserved the right to grant large load allocations to companies on a case-by-case basis since 1974. The threshold was set at 175 MW from 1987 to 2006<ref>{{cite book |title=Avis de la Régie de l'énergie sur la distribution d'électricité aux grands consommateurs industriels (A-2005-01) |author=Régie de l'énergie du Québec |language=fr |location=Montreal |date=30 May 2005 |page=96 |url=http://www.regie-energie.qc.ca/audiences/3563-05/A-2005-01_31mai2005.pdf |access-date=May 7, 2009 |archive-date=July 20, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720075132/http://www.regie-energie.qc.ca/audiences/3563-05/A-2005-01_31mai2005.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> and was reduced to 50 MW in the government's 2006–2015 energy strategy.{{sfn|Government of Quebec|2006|p=24}}

Large industrial users pay a lower rate than the domestic and commercial customers, because of lower distribution costs. In 2010, the largest industrial users, the ''Rate L'' customers, were paying an average of 4.66¢/kWh whereas companies with special contracts paid 3.07¢/kWh.<ref>{{cite web |author=Hydro-Québec Distribution |title=Rapport annuel 2010: HQD-10, document 2 - Historique des ventes, des produits des ventes, des abonnements et de la consommation |page=10 |url=http://www.regie-energie.qc.ca/audiences/RappHQD2010/HQD-10-02-Historique_des_ventes.pdf |date=May 20, 2011 |access-date=March 9, 2012 |language=fr}}</ref>

In 1987, Hydro-Québec and the Quebec government agreed to a series of controversial deals with [[aluminum]] giants [[Alcan]] and [[Alcoa]]. These risk sharing contracts set the price of electricity based on a series of factors, including aluminum world prices and the value of the [[Canadian dollar]]<ref>{{cite news|first=Pierre |last=Couture |title=Les alumineries coûtent cher à Hydro-Québec: plus de 3 milliards $ |work=Le Soleil |location=Quebec City |language=fr |date=28 August 2008|url=http://www.cyberpresse.ca/le-soleil/200809/08/01-665217-les-alumineries-coutent-cher-a-hydro-quebec-plus-de-3-milliards.php |access-date=2009-03-18}}</ref> Those agreements are gradually being replaced by one based on published rates.

On May 10, 2007, the Quebec government signed an agreement with Alcan. The agreement, which is still in force despite the company's merger with [[Rio Tinto Group]], renews the water rights concession on the Saguenay and Peribonka rivers. In exchange, Alcan has agreed to invest in its Quebec facilities and to maintain jobs and its corporate headquarters in Montreal.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mdeie.gouv.qc.ca/index.php?id=161&tx_ttnews%5Bpointer%5D=21&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=975&tx_ttnews%5BbackPid%5D=158&cHash=37b28f136f |title=Le projet d'acquisition d'Alcan par Rio Tinto respecte les accords qui lient Alcan et le gouvernement du Québec |author=Gouvernement du Québec |publisher=Quebec Department of Economic Development, Innovation and Exports |date=7 August 2007 |access-date=2009-03-19 }}{{dead link|date=November 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

On December 19, 2008, Hydro-Québec and Alcoa signed a similar agreement. This agreement, which expires in 2040, maintains the provision of electricity to Alcoa's three [[aluminum smelter]]s in the province, located in [[Baie-Comeau]], [[Bécancour, Quebec|Bécancour]] and [[Deschambault-Grondines, Quebec|Deschambault-Grondines]]. In addition, the deal will allow Alcoa to modernize the Baie-Comeau plant which will increase its production capacity by 110,000 tonnes a year, to a total of 548,000 tonnes.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.ledevoir.com/economie/actualites-economiques/224271/alcoa-et-hydro-quebec-ont-renouvele-des-ententes-jusqu-en-2040 |title=Alcoa et Hydro-Québec ont renouvelé des ententes jusqu'en 2040 |author-link=The Canadian Press |author=Presse canadienne |work=Le Devoir |location=Montreal |language=fr |date=20 December 2008|access-date=2010-01-07 }}</ref>

Several economists, including [[Université Laval]]'s Jean-Thomas Bernard and Gérard Bélanger, have challenged the government's strategy and argue that sales to large industrial customers are very costly to the Quebec economy. In an article published in 2008, the researchers estimate that, under the current regime, a job in a new aluminum smelter or an expansion project costs the province between C$255,357 and C$729,653 a year, when taking into consideration the money that could be made by selling the excess electricity on the New York market.{{sfn|Bélanger|Bernard|2008}}

This argument is disputed by large industrial customers, who point out that data from 2000 to 2006 indicate that electricity exports prices get lower when quantities increase, and vice versa. "We find that the more we export, the less lucrative it gets", said Luc Boulanger, the head of the association representing Quebec's large industrial customers. In his opinion, the high volatility of electricity markets and the transmission infrastructure physical limitations reduce the quantities of electricity that can be exported when prices are higher.{{sfn|Boulanger|2008}}

Hydro Quebec gained attention with [[Bitcoin]] miners in 2018 after the crackdown on mining in China.<ref name="hydro2018">{{cite news |last1 = Lampert |first1 = Allison |title = Chinese bitcoin miners eye sites in energy-rich Canada |url = https://www.reuters.com/article/us-canada-bitcoin-china/chinese-bitcoin-miners-eye-sites-in-energy-rich-canada-idUSKBN1F10BU |access-date = 14 January 2018 |work = Reuters |date = 12 January 2018 }}</ref> The province has an energy surplus equivalent to 10 Terawatt hours per year.<ref name="hydro2018"/>

=== Export markets ===
{{Missing information|plans on construction of a line connecting the Hydro-Québec system to Maine|date=March 2021}}
<!-- WARNING - This table is updated yearly with the publication of Hydro-Québec's annual report (generally in April)
1) Do not bunch cells together. It makes it much more difficult to update
2) DO NOT REMOVE {{formatnum}}. It is used to facilitate multilingual updates of this article. -->

{| class="wikitable centre" style="text-align:right; width:100%;"
|+ '''Hydro-Québec exports and brokerage activities in Canada and the United States (2019-2023)'''<ref name="ar2023" />
|-
! scope="col" style="width:20%; background:white; border-top-color:white; border-left-color:white;"|
! scope="col" style="width:8%;"| 2023
! scope="col" style="width:8%;"| 2022
! scope="col" style="width:8%;"| 2021
! scope="col" style="width:8%;"| 2020
! scope="col" style="width:8%;"| 2019
|-
! scope=row style="text-align:left;" | Exports (TWh)<ref group="note">1 TWh= 1 billion kWh.</ref>
| style="text-align:right;"| {{formatnum:23.0}}
| style="text-align:right;"| {{formatnum:35.6}}
| style="text-align:right;"| {{formatnum:36.2}}
| style="text-align:right;"| {{formatnum:32.4}}
| style="text-align:right;"| {{formatnum:34.8}}
|-
! scope=row style="text-align:left;" | Revenue ($M)
| style="text-align:right;"| {{formatnum:2365}}
| style="text-align:right;"| {{formatnum:2912}}
| style="text-align:right;"| {{formatnum:1826}}
| style="text-align:right;"| {{formatnum:1466}}
| style="text-align:right;"| {{formatnum:1571}}
|}
[[File:Christmas tree near the Quincy Market.jpg|right|upright=0.7|thumb|Part of the electricity used in [[Boston]] comes from the remote dams in the [[James Bay]] area.|alt=Christmas tree near Boston's Quincy Market.]]
Hydro-Québec sells part of its surplus electricity to neighbouring systems in Canada and the United States under long-term contracts and transactions on the New England, New York and Ontario [[electricity market#Wholesale electricity market|bulk energy markets]]. In 2017, net exports revenues were at $1,651 million for a total of 34.4 TWh sent to New England (53%), New York (23%), Ontario (13%) and other (5%).<ref>{{Cite book |publisher = Hydro-Québec |pages = 124 |last = Hydro-Québec |title = Annual Report 2017|location = Montreal |access-date = 2018-10-14 |url =http://www.hydroquebec.com/data/documents-donnees/pdf/annual-report.pdf}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release |title= Hydro-Québec: North America's leading provider of clean energy |publisher=Hydro-Québec |date=2018-10-14 |url=http://www.hydroquebec.com/international/en/exports/ }}</ref>

Although most export sales are now short-term transactions, Hydro-Québec has entered into long-term export contracts in the past. The corporation has 15 interconnections to neighboring markets. In 1990, the company signed a 328-MW deal with a group of 13 electric distributors in [[Vermont]]. On March 11, 2010, Vermont's two largest utilities, Green Mountain Power and Central Vermont Public Service, entered into a tentative 26-year deal with Hydro-Québec to purchase up to 225 MW of hydro power from 2012 to 2038. The memorandum of understanding provides for a price smoothing mechanism shielding Vermont customers from market price spikes. The deal is contingent upon the enactment designating large hydro as "renewable energy".<ref>{{cite press release |title=Governor, Premier announce preliminary Vermont-Hydro-Québec agreement |publisher=Hydro-Québec |date=11 March 2010 |url=http://www.hydroquebec.com/4d_includes/of_interest/PcAN2010-036.htm |access-date=2010-10-06 }}</ref>

In 2015,  Hydro-Quebec and the Ontario Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) signed a 500-MW seasonal capacity sharing agreement. Ontario has increased capacity in the Winter, and shortages in the summer. Quebec has increased capacity in the summer, and shortages in the Winter. Thus, the agreement serves as to achieve a cost-effective solution for both provinces. Furthermore, in 2016 (IESO) and Hydro-Quebec signed a new long-term agreement starting in 2017 until 2023. The deal will send 2TWh per year to Ontario. On the other hand, Quebec should receive capacity from Ontario during Winter's peak demand.<ref>{{cite press release |title= Exchange with Ontario |publisher=Hydro-Québec |date=2018-10-14 |url=http://www.hydroquebec.com/international/en/exports/markets/ontario.html }}</ref>

== Presidents ==
{|class="wikitable" style="margin:auto;"
|+ '''List of presidents for Hydro-Québec'''<ref>{{cite web|title=Hydro-Québec Executives|url= https://www.hydroquebec.com/history-electricity-in-quebec/figures-from-history/|access-date=2025-02-16}}</ref>
! scope=col |Rank
! scope=col |Name
! scope=col |Nomination date
|-
|1st || [[Télesphore-Damien Bouchard]] || April 15, 1944
|-
|2nd || [[Ludger-Eugène Potvin|L.-Eugène Potvin]]|| June 29, 1944
|-
|3rd || [[Joseph-Arthur Savoie|J.-Arthur Savoie]]|| June 1, 1955
|-
|4th || [[Jean-Claude Lessard]]|| September 7, 1960
|-
|5th || [[Roland Giroux]] || August 1, 1969
|-
|6th || [[Robert A. Boyd]] || 1977
|-
|7th || [[Lucien Saulnier]] || 1978
|-
|8th || [[Guy Coulombe]] || January 15, 1982
|-
|9th || Richard Drouin || May 2, 1988
|-
|10th || Yvon Martineau || 1995
|-
|11th || [[Benoît Michel]]|| December 1, 1995
|-
|12th || [[André Caillé]] || October 1, 1996
|-
|13th || [[Thierry Vandal]] || April 5, 2005
|-
|14th || [[Éric Martel]]|| June 3, 2015
|-
|15th || [[Sophie Brochu]]|| April 1, 2020
|-
|16th || [[Michael Sabia]]|| August 1, 2023
|}

From 1944 to 1978, management of Hydro-Québec consisted of five commissioners, one of them acting as president.

==Influence of Cross-Border Transmission Research==
In addition to the long-standing focus on large-scale transmission expansion, contemporary research—such as that presented by Gazar ''et al.'' (2024)<ref>{{Cite journal
 |last1=Gazar
 |first1=Amir M.
 |last2=Borsuk
 |first2=Mark E.
 |last3=Calder
 |first3=Ryan S. D.
 |year=2024
 |title=Causal inference to scope environmental impact assessment of renewable energy projects and test competing mental models of decarbonization
 |journal=Environmental Research: Infrastructure and Sustainability
 |volume=4
 |issue=45005
 |page=045005
 |doi=10.1088/2634-4505/ad8fce
 |doi-access=free
 |bibcode=2024ERIS....4d5005G
 }}</ref>—has investigated the causal relationships between cross-border transmission capacity, new hydroelectric generation, and evolving energy demand in the northeastern United States and Canada. Their Bayesian network analysis suggests that increases in Quebec's hydroelectric capacity historically correlate more strongly with domestic demand and market price signals, rather than simply the availability of expanded transmission corridors. These findings can inform discussions of whether newly proposed U.S.–Canada intertie projects should include upstream reservoir development in environmental impact assessments.

==See also==
{{Portal|Canada|Energy|Renewable Energy|Companies}}
* [[Édifice Hydro-Québec]]
* [[James Bay Project]]
* [[Hydro-Québec's electricity transmission system]]
* [[Timeline of Quebec history]]

== Footnotes ==
{{reflist|group="note" }}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== Further reading ==
{{Further reading cleanup|date=February 2025}}
{{refbegin}}
* {{cite book |last=Archambault |first=Jean-Jacques |author-link=Jean-Jacques Archambault |year=1984 |contribution=Une technologie maîtrisée |editor-last=Couture |editor-first=Marcel |title=Hydro-Québec: Des premiers défis à l'aube de l'an 2000 |publisher=Forces/Libre expression |place=Montreal |isbn=2-89111-191-5 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/hydroquebecdespr0000unse/page/125 125–137] |language=fr |url=https://archive.org/details/hydroquebecdespr0000unse/page/125 }}
* {{cite book |editor1-last=Bélanger |editor1-first=Yves |editor2-last=Comeau |editor2-first=Robert |publisher=Presses de l'Université du Québec |contribution=Les actions d'Hydo-Québec à vendre ? |title=Hydro-Québec: Autres temps, autres défis |first=Michel |last=Bélanger |author-link=Michel Bélanger |location=Sainte-Foy |isbn=2-7605-0809-9 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/hydroquebecautre0000unse/page/89 89–95] |year=1995 |url=https://archive.org/details/hydroquebecautre0000unse/page/89 }}
* {{cite book |editor1-last=Bélanger |editor1-first=Yves |editor2-last=Comeau |editor2-first=Robert |publisher=Presses de l'Université du Québec |contribution=Un long mouvement d'appropriation de la première à la seconde nationalisation |title=Hydro-Québec: Autres temps, autres défis |first=Claude |last=Bellavance |language=fr |location=Sainte-Foy, Quebec |year=1995 |isbn=2-7605-0809-9 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/hydroquebecautre0000unse/page/71 71–78] |url=https://archive.org/details/hydroquebecautre0000unse/page/71 }}
* {{cite book |last=Bolduc |first=André |title=Du génie au pouvoir: Robert A. Boyd, à la gouverne d'Hydro-Québec aux years glorieuses |location=Montreal |language=fr |publisher=Libre-Expression |year=2000 |isbn=2-89111-829-4 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/dugenieaupouvoir0000bold }}.
* {{cite book |publisher=Quebec Department of Natural Ressources and Wildlife |title=Using energy to build the Québec of tomorrow |author=Government of Quebec |location=Quebec City |year=2006 |isbn=2-550-46952-6 |url=http://www.mrnf.gouv.qc.ca/english/publications/energy/strategy/energy-strategy-2006-2015.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720074347/http://www.mrnf.gouv.qc.ca/english/publications/energy/strategy/energy-strategy-2006-2015.pdf |archive-date=2011-07-20 }}
* {{cite book|last1=Bolduc |first1=André |first2=Clarence |last2=Hogue|first3=Daniel |last3=Larouche |title=Hydro-Québec After 100 Years of Electricity |location=Montreal |language=fr |publisher=Libre-Expression|year=1989 }}
* {{cite book |publisher=Fides |contribution=La saga du Suroît |title=L'annuaire du Québec 2005 |first=Vicky |last=Boutin |language=fr |location=Montreal |year=2004 |isbn=2-7621-2568-5|pages=554–557 |editor-first=Michel |editor-last=Venne }}
* {{cite book |editor1-last=Bélanger |editor1-first=Yves |editor2-last=Comeau |editor2-first=Robert |publisher=Presses de l'Université du Québec |contribution=Cinquante ans au service du consommateur |title=Hydro-Québec: Autres temps, autres défis |first=Robert A. |last=Boyd |author-link=Robert A. Boyd |language=fr |location=Sainte-Foy, Quebec |year=1995 |isbn=2-7605-0809-9 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/hydroquebecautre0000unse/page/97 97–103] |url=https://archive.org/details/hydroquebecautre0000unse/page/97 }}
* {{cite book |title=Rapport 144. Ligne à 735 kV Saint-Césaire–Hertel et poste de la Montérégie |author=Bureau d'audiences publiques sur l'environnement |location=Quebec City |year=2000 |page=111 |isbn=2-550-36846-0 |url=http://www.bape.gouv.qc.ca/sections/rapports/publications/bape144.pdf |language=fr |publisher=Bureau d'audiences publiques sur l'environnement |access-date=2009-05-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120213102823/http://www.bape.gouv.qc.ca/sections/rapports/publications/bape144.pdf |archive-date=2012-02-13 |url-status=dead }}
* {{cite book |last=Cloutier |first=Gilles-G. |year=1984 |contribution=Le rayonnement d'Hydro-Québec |editor-last=Couture |editor-first=Marcel |title=Hydro-Québec: Des premiers défis à l'aube de l'an 2000 |publisher=Forces/Libre expression |place=Montreal |isbn=2-89111-191-5 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/hydroquebecdespr0000unse/page/166 166–175] |language=fr |url=https://archive.org/details/hydroquebecdespr0000unse/page/166 }}
* {{cite book |publisher=Presses de l'Université du Québec |chapter=Le souci constant de l'environnement chez Hydro-Québec |title=Hydro-Québec: Autres temps, autres défis |first=Daniel |last=Dubeau |editor1-last=Bélanger |editor1-first=Yves |editor2-last=Comeau |editor2-first=Robert |location=Sainte-Foy |isbn=2-7605-0809-9 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/hydroquebecautre0000unse/page/241 241–254] |year=1995 |chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/hydroquebecautre0000unse/page/241 }}
* {{cite book |last=Fleury |first=Jean Louis |title=Les coureurs de lignes: l'histoire du transport de l'électricité au Québec |location=Montreal |language=fr |publisher=Stanké |year=1999 |isbn=2-7604-0552-4 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/lescoureursdelig0000fleu }}.
* {{cite book |editor1-last=Bélanger |editor1-first=Yves |editor2-last=Comeau |editor2-first=Robert |publisher=Presses de l'Université du Québec |chapter=De la Montreal Light, Heat and Power à Hydro-Québec |title=Hydro-Québec: Autres temps, autres défis |language=fr |first=Gilles |last=Gallichan |location=Sainte-Foy |isbn=2-7605-0809-9 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/hydroquebecautre0000unse/page/63 63–70] |year=1995 |chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/hydroquebecautre0000unse/page/63 }}
* {{cite book |url=http://www.iedm.org/uploaded/pdf/cahier0209_en.pdf |title=How would the privatisation of Hydro-Québec would make Quebecers richer ? |first=Claude |last=Garcia |date=February 2009 |publisher=Montreal Economic Institute |isbn=978-2-922687-25-5 |access-date=2009-05-05 }}
* {{cite book |publisher=Quebec Department of Sustainable Development, the Environment and Parks |title=Water. Our Life. Our Future. Quebec Water Policy |author=Government of Quebec |location=Quebec City |year=2002 |isbn=2-550-40076-3 |url=http://www.mddep.gouv.qc.ca/eau/politique/policy.pdf }}
* {{cite book|publisher=La Presse |contribution=Robert Bourassa: «&nbsp;Il ne sera pas dit que nous vivrons pauvrement sur une terre aussi riche&nbsp;» |first1=Pierre |last1=Gravel |first2=Pierre |last2=Vennat |editor-first= Roger |editor-last=Leroux |title=La Baie James: projet du siècle |place=Montreal |year=1979 |pages=5–6 |language=fr }}
* {{cite book |author=International Energy Agency |author-link=International Energy Agency |title=Canada : 2004 Review |series=Energy Policies of IEA Countries |year=2004 |location=Paris |url=http://www.iea.org/textbase/nppdf/free/2004/canada.pdf |isbn=92-64-10801-7 |page=127 |publisher=International Energy Agency |access-date=2019-01-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180131024054/http://www.iea.org/textbase/nppdf/free/2004/canada.pdf |archive-date=2018-01-31 |url-status=dead }}
* {{cite book|last=Jobin |first=Carol |title=Les enjeux économiques de la nationalisation de l'électricité (1962–1963) |location=Montreal |language=fr |publisher=Éditions coopératives Albert Saint-Martin |year=1978}}
* {{cite book |title=Failure of Public Utilities: Risk Management and Insurance |author=Munich Re |author-link=Munich Re |location=Munich |year=2003 |url=http://www.munichre.com/publications/302-03810_en.pdf |pages=6–7 }}{{dead link|date=April 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
* {{cite book |title=Annual Report 2008 |author=Nalcor Energy |location=St. John's, NL |year=2009 |isbn=978-2-550-55046-4 |url=http://www.nalcorenergy.com/assets/nalcor%20annual%20report_final%20version.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714152004/http://www.nalcorenergy.com/assets/nalcor%20annual%20report_final%20version.pdf |archive-date=2011-07-14 }}
* {{cite book|title=A History of the Canadian Economy|first1=Kenneth |last1=Norrie |first2=Douglas |last2=Owram |first3=J.C. Herbert |last3=Emery |edition=4th |publisher=Nelson |year=2008 |location=Toronto |isbn=978-0-17-625250-2 }}
* {{cite book |title=2008/2009 Winter Reliability Assessment |author=North American Reliability Corporation |location=Princeton, NJ |date=November 2008 |url=http://www.nerc.com/files/Winter2008-09.pdf |access-date=2012-03-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120218200310/http://www.nerc.com/files/Winter2008-09.pdf |archive-date=2012-02-18 |url-status=dead }}
* {{cite book |author1=Quebec Hydroelectric Commission |author2=Churchill Falls (Labrador) Corporation Limited |url=https://archive.org/download/PowerContractBetweenTheQuebecHydro-electricCorporationAndChurchill/1969_ChurchillFallsContract.pdf |title=Power Contract Between the Quebec Hydroelectric Commission and the Churchill Falls (Labrador) Corporation |location=Montreal |year=1969 |access-date=2009-12-02 }}
* {{cite book|title=2007-2008 Annual Report |author=Régie de l'énergie du Québec |year=2008 |location=Montréal |page=4 |isbn=978-2-550-53010-7 }}
* {{cite book |first=Stéphane |last=Savard |title=Hydro-Québec et l'état québécois: 1944-2005 |publisher=Septentrion |location=Quebec City |year=2013 |isbn=978-2-89448-756-3 |language=fr |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/hydroquebecetlet0000sava }}
* {{cite book |publisher=McClelland and Stewart |title=Brinco: The story of Churchill Falls |url=https://archive.org/details/brincostoryofchu0000smit/page/372 |url-access=registration |first=Philip |last=Smith |location=Toronto |year=1975 |page=[https://archive.org/details/brincostoryofchu0000smit/page/372 372] |isbn=0-7710-8184-7 }}
* {{cite book|author=Société d'énergie de la Baie James |author-link=James Bay Energy |title=Complexe hydroélectrique de la Grande-Rivière. Réalisation de la première phase |year=1987 |publisher=Société d'énergie de la Baie James/Éditions de la Chenelière |place=Montreal  |isbn=2-89310-010-4 |language=fr }}
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* {{cite book|last=Turgeon |first=Pierre |title=La Radissonie, le pays de la baie James |location=Montreal |language=fr |publisher=Libre-Expression |year=1992  |isbn=2-89111-502-3 }}
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* {{cite book |author=Vermont Department of Public Service |location=Montpellier, VT |title=Comprehensive Energy Plan 2011: Facts, Analysis and Recommendations |volume=2 |page=104 |date=December 2011 |url=http://www.vtenergyplan.vermont.gov/sites/cep/files/2011%20CEP_Volume%202.pdf |access-date=May 16, 2012 }}{{dead link|date=November 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
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* {{cite journal |first1=Gérard |last1=Bélanger |first2=Jean-Thomas |last2=Bernard |title=Coût économique de l'électricité vendue aux nouvelles alumineries |journal=Policy Options |language=fr |date=April 2008 |volume=29 |issue=4 |pages=56–58 |url=http://www.irpp.org/po/archive/apr08/belanger.pdf |issn=0226-5893 |access-date=2009-03-15 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090219123649/http://irpp.org/po/archive/apr08/belanger.pdf |archive-date=2009-02-19 }}
* {{cite journal |first1=Jean-Thomas |last1=Bernard |first2=Éric |last2=Genest-Laplante |first3=Benoit |last3=Laplante |language=fr |title=Le coût d'abandonner le projet Grande-Baleine |journal=Canadian Public Policy |year=1992 |volume=18 |issue=2 |pages=153–167 |url=http://economics.ca/cgi/jab?journal=cpp&view=v18n2%2FCPPv18n2p153.pdf |access-date=2009-03-16 |doi=10.2307/3551421 |jstor=3551421 |archive-date=2016-01-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160106111428/http://economics.ca/cgi/jab?journal=cpp&view=v18n2%2FCPPv18n2p153.pdf |url-status=dead }}
* {{cite journal |first=André |last=Boulanger |title=Politique hydro-électrique et développement régional |journal=Policy Options |date=April 2008 |language=fr |volume=29 |issue=4 |pages=59–62 |issn=0226-5893 |url=http://www.irpp.org/po/archive/apr08/boulanger.pdf |access-date=2009-03-15 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090219123651/http://irpp.org/po/archive/apr08/boulanger.pdf |archive-date=2009-02-19 }}
* {{cite journal|last=Hafsi |first=Taieb |year=2001 |title=Fundamental Dynamics in Complex Organizational Change: A Longitudinal Inquiry into Hydro-Québec's Management|journal=Long Range Planning |volume=34 |issue=5 |pages=557–583 |doi=10.1016/S0024-6301(01)00082-6}}
* {{cite journal |title=The Role of Hydro Quebec in the Rise of Consulting Engineering in Montreal 1944-1992: An essay in oral history and company genealogy |first1=Martha Whitney |last1=Langford |first2=Chris |last2=Debresson |journal=Scientia Canadensis: Canadian Journal of the History of Science, Technology and Medicine |volume=16 |issue=1, (42) |year=1992 |pages=76–108 |doi=10.7202/800343ar |url=http://www.erudit.org/revue/scientia/1992/v16/n1/800343ar.pdf |access-date=2010-01-04 |doi-access=free }}
* {{cite journal|title=Bersimis: The Development of a River |first=W.J.W.|last=McNaughton |journal=Canadian Geographical Journal |pages=114–135 |volume=60|issue=4 |place=Ottawa |publisher=[[Royal Canadian Geographical Society]] |date=April 1960 }}
* {{cite news|last=Powers |first=John M. |year=2007 |title=Profile - Thierry Vandal, President and CEO of Hydro-Québec |work=Electric Light and Power |volume=85 |issue=4 |page=28}}
* {{cite journal |first1=Alain |last1=Tremblay |first2=Julie |last2=Bastien |first3=Marie-Claude |last3=Bonneville |first4=Paul |last4=del Giorgio |first5=Maud |last5=Demarty |first6=Michelle |last6=Garneau |first7=Jean-Francois |last7=Hélie |first8=Luc |last8=Pelletier |first9=Yves |last9=Prairie |display-authors=3 |title=Net Greenhouse Gas Emissions at Eastmain 1 Reservoir, Quebec, Canada |journal=World Energy Congress |place=Montreal |date=12–16 September 2010 |volume=2010 |pages=A43D–0263 |bibcode=2010AGUFM.A43D0263S |url=http://hydrosourcedavenir.com/docs/4cb733c207f1b/source/Tremblay_WEC-2010_FINAL-ANG_08-09-14-_2.pdf |access-date=2010-10-31 }}{{dead link|date=November 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
* {{cite book |title=Annual Report 2023 |author=Hydro-Québec |location=Montreal |year=2024 |isbn=978-2-550-96854-2 |url=https://www.hydroquebec.com/data/documents-donnees/pdf/annual-report-2023-hydro-quebec.pdf?v=20240308 |access-date=2025-02-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240917033908/https://www.hydroquebec.com/data/documents-donnees/pdf/annual-report-2023-hydro-quebec.pdf?v=20240308 |archive-date=17 September 2024 |archive-format=pdf |url-status=live }}
* {{cite book |title=Annual Report 2020 |author=Hydro-Québec |location=Montreal |year=2021a |isbn=978-2-550-88443-9 |url=https://www.hydroquebec.com/data/documents-donnees/pdf/annual-report-2020-hydro-quebec.pdf |access-date=2020-03-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308190120/https://www.hydroquebec.com/data/documents-donnees/pdf/annual-report-2020-hydro-quebec.pdf |archive-date=2021-03-08 |archive-format=pdf |url-status=live }}
* {{cite book |title=Annual Report 2019 |author=Hydro-Québec |location=Montreal |year=2020a |isbn=978-2-550-85899-7 |url=https://www.hydroquebec.com/data/documents-donnees/pdf/annual-report-2019-hydro-quebec.pdf |access-date=2020-03-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308185941/https://www.hydroquebec.com/data/documents-donnees/pdf/annual-report-2019-hydro-quebec.pdf |archive-date=2021-03-08 |archive-format=pdf |url-status=live }}
* {{cite book |title=Annual Report 2018 |author=Hydro-Québec |location=Montreal |year=2019a |isbn=978-2-550-83154-9 |url=https://www.hydroquebec.com/data/documents-donnees/pdf/annual-report-2018.pdf |access-date=2020-03-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200321094642/https://www.hydroquebec.com/data/documents-donnees/pdf/annual-report-2018.pdf |archive-date=2020-03-21 |archive-format=pdf |url-status=live }}
* {{cite book |title=Annual Report 2017 |author=Hydro-Québec |location=Montreal |year=2018a |isbn=978-2-550-80381-2 |url=https://www.hydroquebec.com/data/documents-donnees/pdf/annual-report-2017.pdf |access-date=2020-03-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200321094615/https://www.hydroquebec.com/data/documents-donnees/pdf/annual-report-2017.pdf |archive-date=2020-03-21 |archive-format=pdf |url-status=live }}
* {{cite book |title=Annual Report 2016 |author=Hydro-Québec |location=Montreal |year=2017a |isbn=978-2-550-77637-6 |url=https://www.hydroquebec.com/data/documents-donnees/pdf/annual-report-2016.pdf |access-date=2020-03-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180504053913/https://www.hydroquebec.com/data/documents-donnees/pdf/annual-report-2016.pdf |archive-date=2018-05-04 |archive-format=pdf |url-status=live }}
* {{cite book |title=Annual Report 2015 |author=Hydro-Québec |location=Montreal |year=2016a |isbn=978-2-550-74989-9 |url=https://www.hydroquebec.com/data/documents-donnees/pdf/annual-report-2015.pdf |access-date=2020-03-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180504054050/http://www.hydroquebec.com/data/documents-donnees/pdf/annual-report-2015.pdf |archive-date=2018-05-04 |archive-format=pdf |url-status=live }}
* {{cite book |title=Annual Report 2014 |author=Hydro-Québec |location=Montreal |year=2015a |isbn=978-2-550-72313-4 |url=https://www.hydroquebec.com/data/documents-donnees/pdf/annual-report-2014.pdf |access-date=2020-03-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150520024422/http://www.hydroquebec.com/publications/en/docs/annual-report/annual-report-2014.pdf |archive-date=2015-05-20 |archive-format=pdf |url-status=live }}
* {{cite book |title=Annual Report 2013 |author=Hydro-Québec |location=Montreal |year=2014a |isbn=978-2-550-69723-7 |url=https://www.hydroquebec.com/data/documents-donnees/pdf/annual-report-2013.pdf |access-date=2020-03-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181213012418/http://www.hydroquebec.com/publications/en/docs/annual-report/annual-report-2013.pdf |archive-date=2018-12-13 |archive-format=pdf |url-status=live }}
* {{cite book |title=Annual Report 2012 |author=Hydro-Québec |location=Montreal |year=2013a |isbn=978-2-550-66872-5 |url=https://www.hydroquebec.com/data/documents-donnees/pdf/annual-report-2012.pdf |issn=0702-6706 |access-date=2020-03-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140817020400/http://www.hydroquebec.com/publications/en/annual_report/pdf/annual-report-2012.pdf |archive-date=2014-08-17 |archive-format=pdf |url-status=live }}
* {{cite book |title=Annual Report 2011 |author=Hydro-Québec |location=Montreal |year=2012a |isbn=978-2-550-63872-8 |url=http://www.hydroquebec.com/publications/en/annual_report/pdf/annual-report-2011.pdf |issn=0702-6706 |access-date=2011-03-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140817020351/http://www.hydroquebec.com/publications/en/annual_report/pdf/annual-report-2011.pdf |archive-date=2014-08-17 |url-status=dead }}
* {{cite book |title=Annual Report 2010 |author=Hydro-Québec |location=Montreal |year=2011a |isbn=978-2-550-60869-1 |url=http://www.hydroquebec.com/publications/en/annual_report/pdf/rapport-annuel-2010.pdf |issn=0702-6706 |access-date=2011-03-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605115451/http://www.hydroquebec.com/publications/en/annual_report/pdf/rapport-annuel-2010.pdf |archive-date=2011-06-05 |url-status=dead }}
* {{cite book |title=Shaping The Future : Annual Report 2009 |author=Hydro-Québec |location=Montreal |year=2010a |isbn=978-2-550-58101-7 |url=http://www.hydroquebec.com/publications/en/annual_report/pdf/annual-report-2009.pdf |issn=0702-6706 |access-date=2010-04-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605082430/http://www.hydroquebec.com/publications/en/annual_report/pdf/annual-report-2009.pdf |archive-date=2011-06-05 |url-status=dead }}
* {{cite book |title=Sustainability Report 2011 |author=Hydro-Québec |location=Montreal |year=2012b |isbn=978-2-550-63876-6 |url=http://www.hydroquebec.com/publications/en/enviro_performance/pdf/rdd_2011_en.pdf |access-date=2012-05-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140520203708/http://www.hydroquebec.com/publications/en/enviro_performance/pdf/rdd_2011_en.pdf |archive-date=2014-05-20 |url-status=dead }}
* {{cite book |title=Financial Profile 2011-2012 |author=Hydro-Québec |location=Montreal |date=March 2012c |isbn=978-2-550-63884-1 |issn=0821-1760 |url=http://www.hydroquebec.com/publications/en/financial_profile/pdf/profile_2011-2012.pdf |access-date=2012-03-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120526152159/http://www.hydroquebec.com/publications/en/financial_profile/pdf/profile_2011-2012.pdf |archive-date=2012-05-26 |url-status=dead }}
* {{cite book |title=Comparison of Electricity Prices in Major North American Cities: Rates effective April 1, 2011 |author=Hydro-Québec |location=Montreal |date=October 2011d |isbn=978-2-550-62677-0 |url=http://www.hydroquebec.com/publications/en/comparison_prices/pdf/comp_2011_en.pdf |access-date=2012-03-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111216024948/http://www.hydroquebec.com/publications/en/comparison_prices/pdf/comp_2011_en.pdf |archive-date=December 16, 2011 |url-status=dead }}
* {{cite book|title=Strategic Plan 2009–2013: Energy efficiency, renewable energies and technological innovation|author=Hydro-Québec|location=Montreal|date=July 2009a|isbn=978-2-550-56207-8|url=http://www.hydroquebec.com/publications/en/strategic_plan/pdf/plan-strategique-2009-2013.pdf|access-date=2010-01-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605113948/http://www.hydroquebec.com/publications/en/strategic_plan/pdf/plan-strategique-2009-2013.pdf|archive-date=2011-06-05|url-status=dead}}
* {{cite book |title=Sustainable Development Action Plan 2009–2013 |author=Hydro-Québec |location=Montreal |date=July 2009b |isbn=978-2-550-55279-6 |url=http://www.hydroquebec.com/publications/en/sd_action_plan/pdf/plan_action_dd.pdf |access-date=2010-01-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130623191257/http://www.hydroquebec.com/publications/en/sd_action_plan/pdf/plan_action_dd.pdf |archive-date=2013-06-23 |url-status=dead }}
* {{Cite map |url=http://www.bape.gouv.qc.ca/sections/mandats/La%20Romaine_raccordement/documents/DA5.pdf |author=Hydro-Québec TransÉnergie |title=Installations de transport d'énergie au Québec |publisher=Hydro-Québec |scale=1:1,500,000 |edition=August 2006 |access-date=2010-08-14 |language=fr |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120308102003/http://www.bape.gouv.qc.ca/sections/mandats/La%20Romaine_raccordement/documents/DA5.pdf |archive-date=2012-03-08 |url-status=dead }}
* {{cite book |last=Hayeur |first=Gaëtan |year=2001 |title=Summary of Knowledge Acquired in Northern Environments from 1970 to 2000 |place=Montreal |publisher=Hydro-Québec |isbn=2-550-36964-5 |url=http://www.hydroforthefuture.com/docs/sizes/4c7d61ab92740/source/Synthese_connaiss_envir_nordique_ANG.pdf |access-date=2011-06-25 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120326023640/http://www.hydroforthefuture.com/docs/sizes/4c7d61ab92740/source/Synthese_connaiss_envir_nordique_ANG.pdf |archive-date=2012-03-26 }}
* {{cite journal|last1=Lalancette |first1=Simon |first2=Frank |last2=Leclerc |first3=David |last3=Turcotte |year=2004 |title=Selective Hedging with Market Views and Risk Limits: the Case of Hydro-Québec |journal=The Quarterly Review of Economics and Finance |volume=44 |issue=5|pages=710–726|doi=10.1016/j.qref.2004.02.001}}
* {{cite journal|first=Bradley |last=Snider |title=Home heating and the environment |journal=Canadian Social Trends |date=Spring 2006 |publisher=Statistics Canada|pages=17–21|url=http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/11-008-x/2005004/article/9126-fra.pdf |access-date=2009-03-15}}
* {{cite journal|last1=Trudel |first1=G. |first2=J.-P. |last2=Gingras |first3=J.-R. |last3=Pierre |year=2005 |title=Designing a Reliable Power System: Hydro-Québec's Integrated Approach |journal=Proceedings of the IEEE |volume=93 |issue=5 |pages=907–917|doi=10.1109/jproc.2005.846332|s2cid=17178396 }}
{{refend}}

== See also ==

* [[Karim Zaghib]]

==External links==
{{Commons category|Hydro-Québec}}
* {{official website}}
* [http://legisquebec.gouv.qc.ca/en/ShowDoc/cs/H-5 Hydro-Québec Act]

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hydro-Quebec}}
[[Category:Hydro-Québec| ]]
[[Category:Electric power distribution network operators]]
[[Category:Electric power transmission system operators in Canada]]
[[Category:Nuclear power companies of Canada]]
[[Category:Hydroelectric power companies of Canada]]
[[Category:Crown corporations of Quebec]]
[[Category:Companies based in Montreal]]
[[Category:Energy companies established in 1944]]
[[Category:Non-renewable resource companies established in 1944]]<!--nuclear-->
[[Category:1944 establishments in Quebec]]
[[Category:Canadian companies established in 1944]]
[[Category:Government-owned energy companies of Canada]]