Ramping up our energy efficiency efforts

A firm commitment

In its Strategic Plan 2022-2026, Hydro-Québec affirms its intention to step up its efforts in energy efficiency. The objective: to achieve 4 TWh of recurring energy savings for the 2021–2025 period, and 8.2 TWh by 2029. To meet these targets, the company is counting on its existing programs as well as new measures to be rolled out over the coming years.

To encourage residential, commercial, institutional and industrial customers to adopt energy-efficient behaviors and technologies, Hydro-Québec is focusing on the following three incentives:

• Financial assistance to encourage the installation of efficient equipment

• Support for optimal energy consumption management

• Awareness and educational activities to strengthen responsible consumption habits that maximize the environmental and economic benefits of energy efficiency

A new dual-energy offer

Announced in July 2021, the partnership between Hydro-Québec and Énergir became a reality in June 2022 with the launch of a new dual-energy offer for Énergir’s residential customers. The goal of the partnership is to encourage customers to switch from natural gas to residential dual energy. Along with an attractive dual-energy rate, Hydro-Québec provides financial assistance for the purchase of energyefficient central heat pumps.

In fall 2022, Hydro-Québec asked the Régie de l’énergie to set a new dual-energy rate for commercial and institutional customers to support the decarbonization of their heating systems. The company is also testing new dual-energy technologies in cooperation with its customers, both residential (five projects) and commercial, or institutional (four projects).

The goal of this unprecedented partnership is to bring about a roughly 70% reduction in natural gas consumption among participating customers and in the GHG emissions associated with heating residential, commercial and institutional buildings.

New Efficient Solutions Program components

In May 2022, two components were added to the Efficient Solutions Program for business customers.

Energy analysis: This component encourages businesses to conduct an energy analysis of buildings, equipment or processes in order to identify ways to use electricity more efficiently and make informed decisions about the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of the targeted measures. Businesses can qualify for up to $50,000 in financial support.

Small businesses: The assistance provided under this component covers up to 90% of the eligible costs of energy efficiency projects for small commercial, institutional or industrial businesses paying Rate G. Using the OSE calculation tool, which covers more than 200 predefined measures, these businesses can quickly determine the amount of financial assistance for which they qualify and easily file their applications once their projects have been completed.

The Efficient Solutions Program already includes a component for medium and large businesses, which have two choices for submitting their energy efficiency projects: the Simplified Option, based on the OSE calculation tool, or the Customized Option. The component’s benefits combine substantial financial assistance with significant savings on energy bills.

In 2022, business customers saved a total of 381 GWh of energy through all program components.

Educational kit on energy efficiency

In February 2022, Hydro-Québec made its Wattson kit available to high school teachers who want to test students’ knowledge about energy efficiency. The kit includes a wide range of fun and original activities to help students become informed consumers and ambassadors for the efficient use of electricity.