Hydro-Québec has unveiled 26 measures to adapt to climate change

Interventions in 26 sectors include strengthening some strategic power transmission lines, making more efforts to control vegetation near the distribution network, and replacing wooden poles with more resistant composite poles in some sectors. Make a plan.

The state-owned company wants to increase the resilience of its facilities to climate change.

Photo: Hydro-Québec

Climate risks must now be an integral part of all business decisionsHydro-Québec President and CEO Sophie Brochu explained.

” It is important that Hydro-Québec adopts such a plan, which is intended to strengthen our resilience in the face of these upheavals. In this way, we will be able to continue the production, transmission and distribution of our renewable and low-carbon energy. »

Hydro-Québec’s plan sets out five measures to limit, among other things, disruptions and their effects on the company’s facilities. Effects of severe weather events on the reliability of the air network.

It is an evolutionary plan, explained Philippe Bourque, Director of Sustainable Development Activation and Integration at Hydro-Québec. We rely on research to determine the true impact of these measures and to evaluate our performance.

Broken trees touching power wires complicate the work of Hydro-Québec crews.

Photo: Radio-Canada / Amelie Desmarais

This is to increase the resilience of autonomous networks and Prevent flooding upstream or downstream of power plants.

The Crown Corporation also mentions the increase Resilience of required buildings and safety of assets and operations in areas at risk of wildfires.

Why now?

Philippe Bourque, Director, Activation and Integration of Sustainable Development, at Hydro-Québec

Photo: Radio-Canada

In its action plan, Hydro-Québec points out that the issue of adaptation to climate change is not new.

The planning exercise started in 2019, Mr Bourke, we want to do something useful. We want others to be inspired by our ideas […] We also want to raise awareness about the impact of climate change.