The archipelago’s energy transition is still awaited

The arrival of greener electricity in the Magdalen Islands could only happen in 2035 while different scenarios are still being studied.

Hydro-Québec initially announced that this energy transition would be completed in 2025.

The different energy options will be presented to Madelinots in 2025 as part of public consultations which were initially planned for 2024.

The state company specifies that three or four scenarios are currently the subject of analysis, without however wanting to detail them precisely.

A spokesperson for the state-owned company nevertheless indicates that the scenarios include different sources of renewable energy supply but alsoa possible introduction of ecological fuels to convert the power plant to oil.

There is greener diesel or even ecological natural gas, it is this type of fuel that is analyzedspecifies Marc-Antoine Ruest.

Mr. Ruest also confirms that the option of connecting to the continental hydroelectric network by submarine cables between Gaspésie and the Madelinot archipelago is still part of the analyses.

Hydro-Québec specifies that it is committed to presenting the conclusions of the public consultations to the Régie de l’énergie before the end of 2025, but that the establishment of a new supply will probably not take place before 2030 , or even 2035.

Then, the energy transition process will take place over several years, depending on the chosen scenario we are talking about a horizon of five to ten years.specifies spokesperson Marc-Antoine Ruest.

Numerous energy about-faces

Impatience and worries

The member for Îles-de-la-Madeleine is impatient with the numerous about-faces by Hydro-Québec regarding the energy future of the archipelago.

We can’t wait to know where Hydro-Québec is heading, because it is a question of our energy supply which is absolutely essential in a context where the power plant is at the end of its useful life.says Joël Arseneau.

At different times in 2024, Hydro-Québec dispatched generators due to prolonged outages on one or other of the plant’s six power units. Currently, six generators are in place to alleviate potential problems, which corresponds to the power of one engine.

The thermal power plant is currently unable, without having support generators, to supply the islands in a stable and safe manner, which is where I have a concern, adds Mr. Arseneau.

While Hydro-Québec procrastinates, the archipelago’s electricity network seems to be failing.

These concerns are shared by the Madelinian Association for Energy and Environmental Security (AMSÉE). We’re getting closer to the emergency room, the center is on life support. The energy transition scenarios, it is urgent that we come and officially present them to ussupports the president of theAMSÉEIsabelle Lapierre.

For its part, Hydro-Québec ensures that it continues to invest in the Madelin power station the time to decide on its future and the energy future of the Magdalen Islands .

Furthermore, Isabelle Lapierre believes that an energy transition based on supplying the thermal power plant with so-called fuels greens is a falsely ecological option, especially since they will probably continue to be imported by boat into the archipelago.

Where is the energy efficiency in that?questions Isabelle Lapierre. We see it very poorly, I hope that Hydro-Québec has another scenario than going towards these gases which seem to be a false ecological idea.