According to a consultation document published on the utility's website, while solar power in Quebec remains slightly more expensive than onshore wind, it is already competitive when compared to renewable natural gas, offshore wind, and nuclear energy. The 3 GW solar target represents what Hydro-Québec describes as “the equilibrium point at which it is possible to keep costs low, in particular by avoiding significant investment in the transportation network, while ensuring the social acceptability of this sector.”
The utility emphasized that many local communities are interested in participating in solar development. Hydro-Québec stated: “We [want to] seize the opportunity to work on this sector with host communities and First Nations and Inuit who wish to do so.”
The rollout will begin with a call for tenders to connect 300 MW of solar capacity to the distribution network by 2029. These projects will be limited to a maximum of 25 MW each, nearly three times the capacity of current solar farms in the province. Larger projects are expected to follow.
In addition to utility-scale development, Hydro-Québec will support solar installations for self-generation. Starting in 2025, the company plans to provide financial incentives to residential and business customers installing solar panels. Its 2035 Action Plan also proposes increasing the size limit for self-consumption solar systems from 50 kW to 1,000 kW, allowing more flexibility for larger installations.
The full 11 GW target will be supported by CAD 10 billion (USD 11.2 billion) in investments by 2035. Hydro-Québec stated that the plan will help reduce customer electricity costs, generate more than 5,000 jobs across Quebec, and improve grid reliability.
Three initial initiatives, totaling CAD 2 billion, have already been launched as part of the broader program. These include a smart thermostat distribution effort aimed at reducing winter peak electricity demand in homes, the formation of an alliance of large property managers to promote energy-efficient practices, and expanded technical and financial assistance for industrial users to lower operational costs.
In 2024, Canada installed 314 MW of solar energy, bringing the country’s total photovoltaic capacity to over 5 GW. Hydro-Québec’s plan marks a significant step in advancing the province’s renewable energy goals over the next decade.
