Latest news with #Hydro-Quebec
Boston Globe
22-05-2025
- Business
- Boston Globe
Hydro-Quebec shut off the spigots for New England power in March and hasn't turned them back on. Why?
The lack of Canadian hydropower isn't a reliability issue for us — not yet, anyway. But the surprisingly long dry spell out of Hydro-Quebec should serve as a warning to New England policy makers that the days of cheap, plentiful, low-carbon power from the north hitting the spot market are no longer guaranteed. A big power line under construction for Massachusetts, dubbed Related : Advertisement The utility, which is owned by the Quebec government, made the move amid tensions between the Trump administration and Canadian leaders over tariffs. So the shutoff's timing raised more than a few eyebrows — at least on this side of the border. Tensions have since eased with Mark Carney's election to prime minister, and it's looking increasingly likely Hydro-Quebec's electricity wouldn't get hit with a Trump tariff anyway. No surprise, then, that Hydro-Quebec says this unusual shutoff is about market dynamics, not politics. The company says it simply can't sell power profitably into New England right now, given the relatively low prices on the wholesale market. Quebec Advertisement Hydro-Quebec did send a bit of electricity here this spring, but essentially only to meet contractual obligations, not to compete in the wholesale market as it usually does. On most days, no power at all flowed here over the main line; an ISO New England spokesman says that line typically provides 1,000 to 1,600 megawatts of electricity to the region, enough power for more than one million homes; it was sending plenty of juice into the region as recently as February when prices were much higher. How important is it? The grid overseer Serge Abergel, Hydro-Quebec's US chief operating officer, says he expects Hydro-Quebec will return to the New England market after the temps heat up and the air conditioners start humming. Sure as the season, demand for electricity will drive up wholesale electric prices and make it more profitable to sell here. Advertisement Hydro-Quebec's US chief operating officer says he expects Hydro-Quebec will return to the New England market after the temps heat up and the air conditioners start humming. David L. Ryan/Globe Staff This spring is different, Abergel said, for two reasons: Hydro-Quebec's reservoirs were lower than average following two years of warmth and limited rainfall, and are being replenished. Meanwhile, the company needs to ensure it can keep the lights on in its home province while also meeting the demands spelled out in two big contracts that kick in over the next year — one for the New England Clean Energy Connect (NECEC) line through western Maine, and another for a parallel line going up in New York. The full effect of the spring thaw won't be seen for another few weeks, but Abergel says Hydro-Quebec officials are hoping for a return to more normal conditions this summer. To Dan Dolan, president of the New England Power Generators Association, the Hydro-Quebec shutoff confirms his original concern that the new transmission line that Avangrid is building for Massachusetts through Maine might not lead to a net increase in hydropower imports into the region, as originally intended. Governor Maura Healey has repeatedly stressed the importance of the NECEC line to the regional grid's reliability and efforts to curb carbon emissions. But Dolan says that goal can only hold true if the power line adds to the historical Hydro-Quebec flows, instead of replacing them. Otherwise, Dolan warns that Avangrid could be Advertisement The energy company and the trade group The increased access between the Canadian and New England markets should help flatten price spikes, he said. Plus, the line helps with fuel diversity, an important contribution given New England's reliance on natural gas. The Healey administration remains steadfast about NECEC's value amid this hydropower dry spell. A spokeswoman said it will reduce electricity prices, provide reliability in the winter, and improve public health here. Still, hydropower consultant Robert McCullough says the extended shutoff could be a sign of troubling trends in Quebec. He's beginning to wonder if the droughts and resulting low reservoir levels will continue — contrary to the company's stated hopes that more normal conditions are on the way. Hydro-Quebec, he says, underinvested for years in its own power infrastructure, and is now racing to keep up. Richard Levitan, an energy consultant in Boston, says it's sensible that Hydro-Quebec is conserving its resources in light of the fact it has been drier than normal this past winter, and springtime demand in New England is low. It's understandable why the company doesn't open the floodgates into a 'down market.' The spigot has been predictably tightened, in his view, not closed. But if one of our big power plants or major transmission lines isn't available this summer at a time when electricity demand in New England is high, Levitan says he would be concerned about reliability if exports from Quebec don't pick up. Advertisement Tapping into Quebec's hydropower was once seen on Beacon Hill as a smart way for Massachusetts to help fight global warming. Ironic, then, that prolonged stretches of warmer weather could cause the sources of that power to start drying up. Jon Chesto can be reached at
Hamilton Spectator
20-05-2025
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
‘Huge milestone' achieved as Hydro-Quebec CEO signs multiple deals in Nunavik
Nunavik's clean energy development is getting a boost as Hydro-Quebec's CEO came to Kuujjuaq this week to sign multiple agreements with regional bodies. Hydro-Quebec CEO Michael Sabia signed a collaboration agreement with Makivvik on Tuesday at its office. The aim is to strengthen their relationship and foster economic development in Nunavik. This agreement includes the creation of a monitoring committee, where an action plan will be drafted with Inuit realities in mind. The plan is to increase investment opportunities in energy projects, the decarbonization of northern villages and economic and social benefits for Inuit. Sabia also met with Tarquti Energy and its shareholders, Makivvik and its community partners, the co-operatives of Puvirnituq and Quaqtaq, and Tuvaaluk Landholding Corp. of Quaqtaq to conclude crucial power purchase agreements for Quaqtaq and Puvirnituq's wind turbine projects. Joe Lance, general manager of Tarquti, said these contracts have been in negotiations for nearly two years. 'It sets the table to advance to the next steps,' he said in a French phone interview. The purchase agreements serve as a selling contract, where Tarquti and its partners will sell the energy production from its future wind turbine projects to Hydro-Quebec. Hydro-Quebec will then implement that energy into its electricity supply to the communities. 'It is a huge milestone,' said Lance. The next step is for those contracts to be sent to the Quebec Energy Board for approval. After that, Tarquti needs to acquire environmental permits. Lance said construction of the wind turbines in Quaqtaq is scheduled to begin in 2026, while the ones in Puvirnituq are planned to begin in 2027. The turbines will provide more than 60 per cent of the communities' electricity needs. Over 25 years, the initiatives are estimated to save 96 million litres of diesel fuel, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 253,000 tonnes of CO2.
Boston Globe
14-03-2025
- Business
- Boston Globe
Hydro-Quebec still isn't exporting electricity to New England. Does it matter?
Last year, the vast majority — more than 90 percent — of the electricity used in New England was produced by generators in the region, according to The rest of our electricity comes from imports. Hydro-Quebec's In all, Hydro-Quebec imports represented about 5 percent of New England's net electricity use last year. Losing that amount of power isn't enough to threaten the region's electric grid in relatively mild weather, and an ISO New England spokesperson confirmed earlier this week that the pause from the Canadian utility isn't currently affecting reliability. Advertisement Hydro-Quebec previously told the Globe that the halt in electricity sales to New England's wholesale market was due to warmer weather making those sales less economical, not The issue of electricity exports came up during a conversation on Thursday that Quebec premier Francois Legault had with Governor Maura Healey, although the focus on the call was on the relationship between Massachusetts and Quebec. Legault, in a 'We had a productive conversation with Premier Legault about our shared commitment to growing our regional economy and harnessing affordable energy,' Healey said in a statement Friday. 'Massachusetts has a longstanding partnership with Quebec and other Canadian provinces on energy issues. We will continue this important dialogue in the face of President Trump's misguided and costly tariffs.' Advertisement Dana Gerber can be reached at
CBC
10-03-2025
- Business
- CBC
Churchill Falls agreement is 'full speed ahead' as N.L. Hydro, Hydro-Quebec meet in Labrador
Sitting on the doorstep of the Churchill Falls hydroelectric plant, Hydro-Quebec CEO Michael Sabia and Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro CEO Jennifer Williams say talks to formalize a new 50-year deal on power is full speed ahead. "This agreement opens, really, a new chapter. A much, much better balanced, more collaborative chapter in the history between Newfoundland and Labrador and between Quebec," Sabia told reporters Monday. "This transaction is on track, full speed ahead, and it'll be delivered." The trip to Churchill Falls on Monday was part of talks to formalize what is seen as a generational deal between Newfoundland and Labrador and Quebec. The original deal, which was signed in 1969 and expires in 2041, was ceremoniously ripped up by Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey during the announcement of a memorandum of understanding between both provinces in December. Under the new framework agreement, Newfoundland and Labrador will receive an average of $1 billion annually up to 2041, retroactive to 2024, and the stream of revenue will continue to escalate after that. Williams told reporters she feels discussions are moving in the right direction. Both provinces have committed to having an agreement in place by spring, 2026. WATCH | Sabia and Williams say Churchill Falls deal is gaining momentum: Hydro officials in N.L. and Quebec meet in Churchill Falls to work on new agreement 3 hours ago Duration 2:54 If there was any worry a new agreement for the Churchill Falls megaproject could be derailed, that was put to rest on Monday. Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro CEO Jennifer Williams and Hydro-Quebec CEO Michael Sabia met in the community, and say the deal is gaining momentum. The CBC's Terry Roberts explains. "A lot of momentum [is] being built, and I think it's even strengthening," Williams said. "Seeing us together is, I think certainly for our province, one of the most important things for people to see.… If you were to go here into the control room at Churchill Falls, you would hear that the teams work really well together." New deal is balanced, unlike 1969: Sabia Opposers of the deal have criticized it for being too alike the original, signed in 1969 — specifically citing comments made by Hydro-Quebec senior vice-president Dave Rhéaume to La Presse, where he said the MOU is "the same thing as in 1969 at the end of the day." Asked by CBC News for his thoughts on the new deal, Sabia reiterated that he believes the it's balanced and benefits both provinces. He also called the 1969 deal unfair and unbalanced toward Newfoundland and Labrador. "Those days are coming to an end, and they will be replaced by a deal that, in my opinion and our opinion, is a balanced deal that offers much greater flexibility to Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro," Sabia said. "In that initial agreement, Newfoundland found itself in a circumstance where prices were essentially fixed. That is not, not, the case with this agreement.… Prices increase over time. [That's] number one. And number two, Newfoundland has access to a growing pool of energy." The deal also includes developing other projects on the Churchill River — like Gull Island — which has a targeted year for commissioning as 2035. Hydro-Quebec would be the project lead and manage its construction, which would also mean it will have to absorb any cost overrun. N.L. Hydro would operate the facility and get access to 225 megawatts of power. It's a project Sabia is confident will happen. "Is there a percentage higher than 100 per cent? Cause if there is, that's where I would be," Sabia said. "As we sort through all this and get to the definitive agreements, Gull Island will happen." Williams and Sabia were asked about how economic tariffs from the United States could play into discussions. They say there's a renewed sense of urgency to get a deal done and work together as Canadian provinces. "We're going to get it done as quickly as we practically can.… But we're very focused," Sabia said. "To be honest, in my opinion this deal has never been more important." Williams said working together is key to helping secure energy in the future, and believes the Churchill Falls deal will bring economic benefits across Canada.
The Independent
04-03-2025
- Business
- The Independent
‘They need to feel the pain': Canadian lawmaker threatens to switch off energy to US over tariffs war
The leader of Ontario threatened to cut off Canada 's energy supply from the United States, remove all U.S. alcohol from store shelves and cancel any partnership with Starlink in retaliation for President Donald Trump imposing sweeping 25 percent tariffs on the U.S.'s northern neighbor. Premier Doug Ford said Monday that he plans to fight back against Trump's tariffs in whatever way he can to show the president it is a bad decision to add the tax to the U.S.'s closest neighbor and ally. 'If they want to try to annihilate Ontario, I will do everything – including cut off their energy, with a smile on my face,' Ford said. Canada is the largest source of energy imports for the U.S., with crude oil and other petroleum products topping the list of imports. But hydropower, natural gas and electricity are also among the imports. Imposing the 25 percent tariffs will likely 'spike' domestic energy prices, 'especially in states in the U.S. Midwest,' according to the Atlantic Council. Trump has toyed with the idea of imposing 10 percent tariffs on energy specifically. The tariffs will also likely hurt the Canadian economy more than already being felt, which is why many Canadian leaders are furious at the president for imposing them. 'They rely on our energy; they need to feel the pain,' Ford said while encouraging all other provinces, such as Quebec, Manitoba and British Columbia, to do the same. Ford said he also plans to remove 'every bit' of U.S. alcohol from Ontario shelves and threatened to pull Ontario's Starlink contract too. 'He's underestimating the Canadian people, the resilience of the Canadian people, and the strength of the Canadian people,' Ford said. Premier of Quebec François Legault said in February that he agreed with Ford about implementing retaliatory energy measures on the U.S. if Trump were to impose tariffs. He reiterated that point on Monday, saying he would respond in retaliation with Hydro-Quebec, the largest supplier of hydropower in Canada, which also exports power to the northeast U.S. Legault said there would be 'more details' on Tuesday about retaliatory efforts. Outgoing Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also announced 25 percent retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods. 'I can't, for the life of me, figure out why this guy's attacking his closest neighbors, allies and friend. A tariff on Canada is a tax on Americans,' Ford said of the president.
