Why be energy wise? For a cleaner and more sustainable energy future
Close to 50% of the energy consumed in Québec comes from polluting energy sources
Contrary to what one may believe, Québec still relies heavily on fossil fuels, namely to power vehicles and heat buildings and factories.
Fossil fuels emit greenhouse gases (GHGs), a major cause of climate change. That’s why it’s so important to reduce and shift consumption and replace polluting energy sources with cleaner options. This is known as the energy transition.
To replace polluting energy sources, we’ll need twice as much clean electricity.
How are we going to do that?
Such an increase in demand represents an enormous collective challenge. We all have a role to play.
By being energy wise
When households and businesses reduce and shift their consumption to the right time, there is more electricity available to meet the growing demand in Québec, because every kilowatthour saved is a kilowatthour we don’t need to generate!
By generating more electricity
To generate the additional energy that Québec will need, we’ll increase the capacity of our generating stations and launch new clean electricity projects.
Every little bit counts
Everything we do today has a very real impact on ensuring that polluting energy sources are replaced in Québec. For instance, using more energy-efficient equipment, such as heat pumps, or lowering the temperature by one or two degrees during peak periods will help us reach this objective.
Learn to be more energy wise
Tips for getting started
Reduce your consumption and your electricity bill
Use our tips to optimize your electricity use. You’ll help make Québec greener while saving money.
See our tips
Shift your consumption and save
In winter, when everyone heats their home at the same time, we end up with peak periods. Take advantage of great offers when you shift your electricity use outside those peak periods.
Learn moreWe all have a role to play
We all have a role to play
Quebec still relies heavily on fossil fuels which emit greenhouse gases. That’s why it’s so important to reduce and shift consumption and replace polluting energy sources with cleaner options. We all have a role to play.
Duration: 1 minute 31 seconds
Narrator : In Québec, half of the energy consumed comes from fossil fuels.
Description : A forest of conifers and deciduous trees with fall foliage border a broad river with a large island at the centre.
Description : A transparent circle appears on the middle of the scene. Inside the circle, percentages scroll past and stop at 50. Text on the screen reads, "50% from fossil fuels."
Narrator : Transportation, factories and the heating of buildings still rely heavily on fossil fuels.
Description : The sun shines on a country road bordered by fields, farm houses and forests. On the transparent circle, lines extend and intersect, forming roads. In the middle, a drawing of a car appears above the word "Transportation." A snow-covered river extends to distant factories. White smoke billows from their chimneys, resembling clouds in the sunny sky. On the transparent circle, undulating topographical lines move out from the centre. In the middle, a drawing of a factory appears above the word "Factories." A sprawling city extends to the horizon. On the transparent circle, two spoked circles form a rotating graduated dial. At the centre, a drawing of a house with three parallel waving lines inside appears above the word "Heating."
Narrator : Hydro-Québec supplies energy that is over 99% renewable.
Description : White smoke billows from towering factory chimneys at the edge of a river. Wispy clouds drift over forested mountainous with fall foliage. The forest extends to the edge of a lake. A transparent circle appears in the middle with rows of dots emanating from the centre. In the centre, text reads, "Energy output over 99% renewable." Images flash past: two wind turbines on a green forested landscape, snowy forested mountains bordering a frozen river, an electrician working on a power pole, a dam, a hydroelectric power station, a cliff overlooking a lake and electrical poles along a road between a lake and forested mountains.
Narrator : That's why we will play a leading role in gradually replacing polluting energy with cleaner energy to decarbonize Québec and meet electricity demand, which will double by 2050. We need to add between 150 and 200 terawatt hours.
Description : From above, a broad river flows through Northern Québec. White clouds drift over the land and water.
Description : Text appears on the screen: "Decarbonize Québec by 2050," followed by "Between 150 and 200 TWh."
Narrator : That's nearly twice our current generating capacity.
Description : White clouds drift over inland islands in Northern Québec.
Description : Text appears on the screen: "2x our current generating capacity."
Narrator : To succeed, we need to use electricity wisely and generate more renewable electricity.
Description : The forested Northern Québec landscape extends to a blue shoreline. White clouds drift above the water.
Description : Text appears on the screen: "Use electricity more wisely." More text appears between drawings of a wind turbine and an electric pylon: "Energy savings of 21 TWh by 2035 thanks to energy efficiency."
Narrator : To ensure a sustainable and prosperous future in Québec, we must all do our part and modify our consumption habits.
Description : In 3D animation, two tall trees stand on either side of a house on a green lawn. The front of the house has no wall, revealing the interior of its three floors and garage. A car backs into the driveway and parks in the garage, and then lights come on in every room.
Description : Lines extend to different appliances in the house and garage, labelling them: "ENERGY STAR certified washer," "Smart thermostats," "Heat pump," "Induction range," and "Electric vehicle smart charging stations."
Narrator : Every kilowatt hour saved is one less kilowatt hour we have to produce.
Description : The house spins and transforms into an arena flanked by trees on a green lawn. The arena has no back wall, revealing a skating rink and appliances inside.
Description : Lines extend to different appliances in the arena, labelling them: "Pressure regulator and pressure regulator valve," "Commercial freezer," and "Heat pump."
Narrator : In addition to helping the public use electricity wisely, Hydro-Québec will need to generate more renewable energy and build new infrastructure.
Description : A broad river flows through a forested landscape. Electric wires extend across the water, connected to electricity pylons on the shore. As electricity flows through the wires, they turn white. Construction vehicles sit at the bottom of a deep open pit. A crane extends towards the surface.
Narrator : Hydro-Québec's objectives include increasing wind generation, improving or optimizing capacity at existing generating stations, building more hydropower generating stations, building substations and transmission lines and integrating more solar energy and battery storage into the energy mix.
Description : A wind turbine spins on a forested hill. In animation, many more spinning wind turbines appear around it. Blue water borders a dam and a hydroelectric power station. A substation sits on a field outside a city. In animation, the substation expands. A road extends through a forested landscape bordering a lake. In animation, electricity pylons and wires appear alongside the road. Rows of solar panels cover three quarters of a building's roof. In animation, more solar panels fill the remaining quarter.
Narrator : Let's work together.
Description : A Hydro-Québec employee wearing a yellow helmet and orange jumpsuit works on an electricity pylon. Two other employees wearing the same uniform work in a field. An employee wearing a button-down shirt and slacks works at a desk with six screens. Two other employees wearing yellow helmets and orange jumpsuits work on a high platform on a transformer station tower.
Narrator : By using electricity wisely and generating more renewable electricity, we can build a better future for Québec.
Description : Water flows through an electric dam. The sun shines on the Daniel-Johnson Dam. Two Hydro-Québec employees wear helmets and high-visibility jackets on a worksite at night. A road and a river run parallel through a rolling forested landscape.
Description : Text appears on the screen: "We can build a better future for Québec." The word "build" is drawn in animation.
Description : The orange Hydro-Québec logo appears on a blue background.
The energy transition: A major society-wide project
We’ve launched an ambitious new plan to help Québec meet the challenges of the energy transition.
A plan that rethinks not only how we use energy but also how we can generate more clean electricity and replace polluting energy sources, create prosperity and fight climate change.
Test your knowledge!
Play Mission 2035
