Hydro‑Québec: North America’s leading provider of clean energy
For the past two decades, Hydro‑Québec has been selling clean, reliable and competitively priced electricity into wholesale markets in northeastern North America. Québec hydropower offers a double advantage to markets outside the province: reduced greenhouse gas emissions and very stable prices.
Low carbon emissions
More than 99% clean energy
15 interconnections
35.6 TWh of net electricity exports
37.2 GW of installed hydropower capacity
Hydro‑Québec’s export markets
Hydro‑Québec operates 15 interconnections with Québec’s neighboring markets: Ontario, New Brunswick, New York State and New England.
Total export capacity:
7,974 MW
Additional interconnections with the U.S. are currently under study:
Net electricity exports in 2019
Trends in energy prices on Hydro‑Québec external markets
Benefits of Québec hydropower for neighboring markets
Québec hydropower has many benefits for neighboring markets:
- A continuous source of clean, renewable electricity
- Readily dispatchable energy
- Reliable supply, not subject to the volatility and uncertainty of fuel markets
- Competitive, stable prices
- Low GHG emissions
Hydro‑Québec’s exports also promote the development of other renewable generating options in northeastern North America. Hydropower is a continually available means of generation that can be started up on demand, making it the only renewable that can support the integration of intermittent energies such as wind and solar power. Countries that have large fleets of wind turbines must also have sufficient firming capacity to offset fluctuations in wind—capacity that often comes from thermal power plants.
