The fight against climate change has entered the homes of Quebecers who will no longer be able to use natural gas of fossil origin in their homes by 2040.
It is in its momentum of transition towards 100% renewable energies that Quebec made the decision to prohibit within 15 years the use of natural gas of fossil origin in all types of buildings, with the exception of industrial sector.
“We have 215,000 customers, 60% of our volumes are industrial,” nevertheless informs the executive vice-president of Énergir, Stéphanie Trudeau.
Thus, no gas heating appliances can be installed in new residential buildings of less than 600 square meters, from 2026.
For those who already have these heating systems, or for restaurateurs who use gas stoves, it will be necessary to ensure that the gas they use comes from renewable sources, that is to say gases produced with organic materials.
“We are going to encourage them to convert to dual energy, so have an electric heat pump the majority of the time and switch only when necessary -12 [degrés Celsius] natural gas, explains Mme Trudeau. It is this portion which will become renewable natural gas.”
“It should be attractive in terms of pricing for customers,” she believes.
“Minor” change
But the impacts of this measure are not likely to be significant on global warming, according to the holder of the Chair of Energy Sector Management, Pierre-Olivier Pineau.
“It’s really dwelling on a really minor aspect in the fight against climate change,” he said in an interview. The transport sector is a sector where we should act much more firmly. Helping businesses decarbonize would be much more important.”
Of course, renewable natural gases are “much more environmentally beneficial” than those from fossil sources. However, they are also more expensive.
“It is certain that ultimately we will have to get rid of natural gas in our fight against climate change, but today it is making the lives of building managers more complex, while there are other priorities,” believes the specialist.
For his part, the Minister of the Environment assured that the transition will take place in an “orderly manner”.
“In collaboration with our partners in the energy sector and municipalities, we will put in place measures to guarantee an orderly transition to renewable energies, while ensuring gradual adaptation for consumers,” declared Minister Benoit Charrette.
The new regulations will be submitted for consultation to the National Assembly next year for entry into force in 2026.
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