Sustainable Development Plan 2020–2024 (continued)

5 Foster Québec’s development as a society through our financial contribution

6 Build and operate sustainable, resilient infrastructure while adapting our activities to climate change

5.1 Contribute $23.4 billion to Québec’s gross domestic product (GDP) by 2024

$25.0 billion contributed to GDP (2020: $22.7 billion)

6.1 Implement a climate change adaptation plan by 2021 Implementation of actions in the Climate Change Action Plan:

Completed: 5% In progress: 74% About to begin: 21%

7 Generate more sustainable value in the community

8 Take steps to include Indigenous peoples and encourage their input into our development

Environment

9 Work toward decarbonizing all of our business activities and markets

6.2 Expand the integration of sustainability principles in infrastructure projects

6.3 Obtain or maintain BOMA BEST certification for targeted administrative buildings and rented office premises of over 1,000 m² in Montréal and Québec City

7.1 Develop indicators and optimize certain programs to maximize their social and economic benefits for the community

8.1 Obtain Silver-level certification from the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business’s Progressive Aboriginal Relations (PAR) program

9.1 Avoid 4.6 Mt Co₂ eq. of emissions through our long-term export contracts

A detailed analysis grid was integrated into the impact studies for a major infrastructure project

BOMA BEST certification attained for the 21 targeted buildings and office spaces (100%)

Progress on the two programs in question (Integrated Enhancement Program (IEP)) and Social Responsibility Directive reached 75%

Silver-level PAR program certification obtained

10 Equip Quebecers to lower their consumption through better electricity use

11 Enhance and protect biodiversity

12 Reduce resource use by applying the principles of the circular economy

2.3 Mt CO₂ eq. of GHG emissions avoided (2021: 2.5 Mt CO₂ eq.)

9.2 Cut direct emissions of our operations by 35% by 2027 Not availablea

9.3 Aim for carbon neutrality by 2030

10.1 Propose electricity management solutions to our business and residential customers that aim to cut energy use by 2.49 Twh and potentially reduce power demand by 1,523 MW compared to 2019.

11.1 Develop a corporate strategy for enhancing and protecting biodiversity

12.1 Draft and deploy a logistics strategy that applies the best practices of the circular economy

12.2 Use tools to integrate a total cost analysis (TCA) of goods and services at time of procurement into our governance a) Result not available. The final figure will be published in the Sustainability Report 2022.

The preliminary basis for a compensation strategy has been established

Reduction of 0.824 TWh of energy use by business and residential customers (2021: 0.733 TWh)

Potential reduction in power demand of 621.0 MW (2021: 438.7 MW)

Hydro-Québec’s Biodiversity Strategy 2022–2026 adopted and published

Logistics strategy: 65% of actions implemented

Indicator under review

Occupation and vitality of territories

As a government corporation, Hydro- Québec supports the Québec government’s efforts to ensure the occupancy and vitality of territories. The following are the main measures in the company’s new action plan, in compliance with the Act to ensure the occupancy and vitality of territories (CQLR, c. O-13).

Measures to ensure the occupancy and vitality of territories Indicator

Continue efforts in the field of transportation electrification

Hydro-Québec is actively expanding the Electric Circuit, the largest public charging network in Québec, which currently includes nearly 3,500 charging stations for electric vehicles (EVs). The rollout of the Electric Circuit to all of Québec’s regions is guided by a plan based on strict criteria. The goal is to increase the use of EVs by offering users high-quality service and a network that covers the entire province. In 2018, to cater its offer to market needs, the Electric Circuit undertook to add 1,600 fast-charge stations to its fleet by 2027. In addition, under the 2030 Plan for a Green Economy launched by the Québec government in November 2020, Hydro-Québec has committed to installing 2,500 fast-charge stations and 4,500 standard stations by 2030. The Electric Circuit will consequently be central to the strategy to accelerate transportation electrification. With the number of EV drivers growing exponentially every year, the expansion of the Electric Circuit will facilitate EV travel and contribute to stimulating tourism and economic activity in all of the province’s regions. Transportation electrification is a promising green sector in which Hydro-Québec intends to play a leading role.

Support the greenhouse industry in Québec

In July 2020, Hydro-Québec filed an application with the Régie de l’énergie to expand the measures offered since 2013 to greenhouse growers. As a result, the Additional Electricity rate option for photosynthetic lighting now also applies to space heating to raise crops and is available to all producers whose maximum power demand exceeded 50 MW in the last 12 months. These measures will help support the development of the greenhouse industry in a number of regions, while also increasing Québec’s food self-sufficiency.

Roll out an information program on the integration of Hydro- Québec’s facilities into the host environment and the coordination of planning

To optimize the integration of its projects throughout the province, Hydro-Québec set out to provide training on its operations and land management practices. From 2016 to 2020, this training was offered to the land-use planners of regional county municipalities (MRCs) and of the cities and agglomerations that perform some of the functions of MRCs. As at December 31, 2020, more than 20 training sessions had taken place in-person or remotely.

Offer free guided tours of some facilities

By showcasing its built and technological heritage in Québec’s various regions and offering free tours of some of its facilities, Hydro-Québec helps promote tourism in different parts of the province. The integration of the company’s facilities into their host environments is one of the topics visitors learn about during the tours.

Convert off-grid systems

Hydro-Québec has undertaken to gradually convert its off-grid systems to cleaner, less costly energy sources. The company is also committed to working with local communities on promising initiatives while ensuring that it meets its financial and environmental goals. The specific features of each system and the needs of each community will be considered to help select a technological solution that ensures system reliability and is also optimal from the social, environmental and economic standpoints.

Participating in the Lac-Mégantic microgrid project

Québec’s first islandable microgrid, inaugurated in July 2021, features a range of components, such as solar panels for local energy generation, energy storage units and tools to manage buildings’ energy use to best meet user needs. It is the only technology showcase of its kind in Québec. This year, the project was recognized with top honors in the energy category at the 2022 Grands Prix du génie-conseil québecois. Since summer 2022, the microgrid discovery tour allows visitors to learn about the most advanced energy technologies. In 2023, a new building will go up within the perimeter of the microgrid to test a unique technological mix to better serve modest-- income customers.

At present, the Electric Circuit has some 4,124 public charging stations across Québec, including over 740 fast-charge stations.

No indicator

The company reached out to all of Québec’s MRCs and invited their land-use planners to at least one of the training sessions offered since 2016. Altogether, 90 MRCs, or 89% of all MRCs in Québec, registered for at least one training session.

77,025 people visited Hydro-Québec’s facilities in 2022.

No indicator

No indicator