Increasing our sustainability initiatives

Heritage runner

In 1979, Premier René Lévesque in 1979 switched on the very first generating unit to produce electricity in the Baie-James. Turbine runner 9 from this unit went on to faithfully serve Quebecers for over 42 years. After an outstanding service life, in 2022 the 111-ton giant took its well-earned retirement to join the ranks of the Hydro-Québec historical collection.

Biodiversity

Released in June, Hydro-Québec’s 2022–2026 Biodiversity Strategy puts forth an ambitious framework for meeting the significant challenge of biodiversity loss. By factoring biodiversity preservation and enhancement into our actions and decisions, we reduce our environmental footprint, fight climate change, ensure our long-term operability and contribute to a greener world.

Best in class

Hydro-Québec’s sustainable practices again earned the company a top spot in Corporate Knights magazine’s 2022 “Best 50 Corporate Citizens in Canada.” The annual ranking to promote responsible business practices is based on public data released by organizations on their governance and social and environmental performances.

Safer and reliable infrastructures

In partnership with Hydro-Québec, Université Laval’s Sentinel North research chair will tackle the enormous challenge of designing and building infrastructures that are both more sustainable and cost-effective. In a climate change context, the need for safe, reliable infrastructures in northern communities is critical. The chair’s findings will be applicable to Québec as a whole, since climate-related issues are no less present in the south. Hydro-Québec fully supports this initiative that, in developing technological tools and high-level expertise in northern engineering, will foster the emergence of infrastructures adapted to changing conditions.

Archaeological heritage

Archaeologists at Hydro-Québec uncovered a fascinating piece of history during work at Mitis-2 generating station in the Bas-Saint-Laurent region. Testament to the region’s industrial past, the vestiges were from a former water mill, which may have been used to grind flour. Documentary research on the Seigneurie Pachot placed the mill’s construction sometime around 1851. The dig revealed part of the original structure along with two limestone millstones—a lower stationary stone known as a “bedstone” and a rotating or “runner” stone—and some mechanical parts.