Green hydrogen from here for Quebec

The Quebec government is investing $ 1.2 billion over five years in its first green hydrogen and bioenergy strategy, with the main goal of using it to reduce its own greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.

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“We are embarking on our quest to achieve our reduction goals by 2050 and achieve carbon neutrality,” Energy and Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Julian said in an interview.

Quebec expects to reduce its GHG emissions by four additional megatons by 2030, representing 13% of the total effort.

These megatons are included in the 51% of tools already identified by the Ministry of Environment in its recent update. Amounts are also in the recent budget.

According to the Minister, these tools are less costly to achieve the target as soon as possible, mainly due to the maturity of biofuels.

In addition, Bioenergy will hold the largest stake in the top $ 1.2 billion estimated by 2026. No less than $ 950 million has been allocated for this.

“Biofuels are very mature. We are very sophisticated, ”said Mr. Julian.

Own product

Green hydrogen remains a sector of the future, which will improve over time. “Yes green hydrogen”, but it “must learn to walk before learning to run,” the minister explained. “We are going to do this in Quebec, but it is not for export. This is to decorbonize Quebec.

To create this green energy, hydropower is needed. Although Hydro-Quebec is a strategic partner, the minister recalled that the hydropower surplus was “running out”.

Therefore, hydrogen and bioenergy mainly support the major measures taken to improve Quebec performance, for example energy saving and electrification.

In addition to this the CAQ government aims for energy self-sufficiency by allowing heavy transportation and even some emission industries to achieve carbon neutrality.

Clean hydrogen (green), made with hydroelectricity, consumes 2 to 5 times more than what is created with hydrocarbons (ash).

But in seven years, green hydrogen should be competitive. The Minister knew that the demand for hydrogen would explode in the coming years.

To achieve this, the government provides financial assistance for innovation, local businesses and Quebec technology exports.

“We must now invest in Quebec, by investing in research and supply and demand companies,” the minister explained, especially as demand for hydrogen remains strong. . “We want to become leaders with our skills,” he said.

Outside of the planned budget envelope, the government may also acquire shares in companies that qualify with Investment Quebec.

Shy

The official opposition, which is proposing a $ 100 billion project by 2050 to nationalize green hydrogen, believes the government’s strategy is cowardly.

“It’s a hopeless strategy,” said chef Dominic Angled. “It simply came to our notice then. Then we will face a government that does not develop any focus when we have a huge economic development project waiting for us and when we have a huge economic development project that responds to the global problem with the Quebec response.

However, the strategy has been welcomed by most shareholders, such as the Quebec Association for the Production of Renewable Energy (AQPER) and quiterre.

“It’s important to see that the government does not fall into the trap of providing hydrogen as a fantastic solution to the climate or the economy.