Premier François Legault Directs $150 Million for Hydro-Québec Northern Transmission Upgrades

QUEBEC CITY — Premier François Legault and Economy and Energy Minister Pierre Fitzgibbon unveiled a $150 million strategic investment on Tuesday to reinforce Hydro-Québec's primary 735-kilovolt transmission network, ensuring the provincial grid can transmit thousands of megawatts of northern hydroelectricity to expanding industrial corridors.

The investment directly supports the implementation of Hydro-Québec's Action Plan 2035, which projects a massive increase in domestic clean electricity demand driven by industrial decarbonization, transportation electrification, and battery manufacturing.

Reinforcing the Northern Hydro Arteries Under the capital plan announced at the National Assembly in Quebec City:

• $95 million will fund structural substation modernizations and digital optical-ground-wire telemetry along the James Bay transmission corridors, increasing transmission capacity by 1,200 megawatts.
• $35 million provides advanced dynamic line rating (DLR) sensors that allow real-time adjustments of power flows based on ambient temperature and wind conditions.
• $20 million funds enhanced vegetation management and fire-resilient clearing along 800 kilometers of high-voltage rights-of-way through northern forestry regions.

"Hydro-Québec is the crown jewel of our economy and the foundation of our clean energy future," Premier Legault stated. "To attract world-class industries, build our battery valley in Bécancour, and create high-paying jobs for Quebeckers, we must invest boldly in our transmission backbone. We have the clean power; now we are ensuring we have the grid to deliver it."

Debate Over Energy Allocation Priorities Opposition MNAs in Quebec City raised questions regarding the pace of industrial energy allocations, urging the government to guarantee that long-term residential supply and rate protections remain the state utility's foremost priority.

Hydro-Québec executives confirmed that all transmission upgrade projects will undergo environmental review and consultations with First Nations communities along transmission routes.