Frequently asked questions about  Hydro-Québec Energy Services  U.S.

What is Hydro-Québec?

Hydro-Québec is a public utility created in 1944 to serve the power needs of Québec. With 62 generating stations and 28 large reservoirs, mostly in remote northern regions of the province, Québec’s hydropower fleet meets 99% of the electricity demand of more than 4.5 million Québec customers. Our power also flows into the electric grids of New England and New York.

How does Hydro-Québec sell electricity in the United States?

There are two main ways by which Hydro-Québec sells its electricity to its neighbors: through a daily electricity spot market, which operates like a trading floor, or through long-term power purchase agreements (PPAs) with neighboring states for the delivery of a guaranteed quantity of energy at a fixed price.
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Since the 1990s, Hydro-Québec has been authorized by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to sell electricity at market-based rates based on neighboring market’s energy demand for a specific period.

The company has also signed long-term agreements (PPAs) tailored to the specific needs of U.S. markets in Vermont, New York and Massachusetts.

Why do we need hydropower when we have wind or solar?

To achieve our goals to decarbonize our economies, we need a mix of complementary renewable energy sources to ensure a stable, clean energy supply.

Hydropower is an energy source that is always available, and it is also flexible. Because water can be stored in reservoirs for future use, a generating station can respond instantly to changes in demand. At peak periods, hydropower generation can be adjusted almost in real time by releasing more water. In comparison, it can take 12 hours to start up a coal‑fired power plant.

Dispatchable, reliable and predictable, hydropower can complement the development of intermittent resources such as solar and wind power.

Is the hydropower generated in Québec green?

Every energy source comes with environmental tradeoffs, but hydropower compares well to other renewable energy sources and is far cleaner than any fossil fuel–based alternative. In terms of greenhouse gas that causes climate change, the amount of carbon emitted to produce and distribute a kilowatt of hydropower produced in Québec is comparable to emissions from wind and solar power generation. Québec hydropower produces no toxic waste and none of the pollutants that contribute to the formation of smog.

How do Americans benefit from Québec’s hydropower?

Reduced wholesale electricity prices
Less price volatility due to reduced reliance on natural gas
Lower carbon emissions
Reduced pollution from SO₂ and NO_X, which cause smog and contribute to asthma and other health problems. 
Economic benefits, including jobs related to the construction of transmission lines as well as economic development funds to compensate communities through which those lines run.
Increased reliability and resiliency benefits, preserve reliable and efficient system operations throughout varying weather and operating conditions.

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Economic benefits, including jobs related to the construction of transmission lines as well as economic development funds to compensate communities through which those lines run.   

Learn more about our Champlain Hudson Power Express (CHPE) project 

Learn more about our New England Clean Energy Connect (NECEC) project

Does Hydro-Québec have enough water to continue to serve New England and New York?

Hydro‑Québec has the means to honor its contractual obligations in the U.S. and in Québec. At any particular time, our large reservoirs hold enough water to supply electricity to all of New England for more than a year.

Water supply variability is a normal and well-known phenomenon in hydroelectric production. Periods of low and high water levels have followed one another over the years since the 1960s. In the long term, independent research from scientists at Ouranos shows that climate change will likely lead to an increase of 6% to 8% in water supplies in northern Québec, due to increased precipitation and other factors. The number of Hydro-Québec’s very large upstream reservoirs also serves as a hedge against inflow variability.

Learn more about the hydrological impacts of climate change

Does Hydro‑Québec treat First Nations fairly?

Hydro‑Québec does everything possible to preserve the various types of land use, promote the pursuit of traditional activities and ensure that Indigenous people benefit from the economic spinoffs of its projects. Since 1975, Hydro‑Québec has signed over 40 agreements with Indigenous nations and communities and is a leader among Canadian companies in terms of its extensive relations with these communities.

Hydro-Québec ensures that Indigenous nations and communities participate in all phases of its projects. This approach is based on relationships that respect the interests, values, and culture of the various Indigenous communities.

For example, Hydro‑Québec worked closely with Cree communities on the planning and construction of the Eastmain–Sarcelle–Rupert complex. A special effort was made to maximize the participation of the Cree tallymen, who are responsible for managing trapline resources and harvesting activities, and in developing and planning mitigation measures. Hydro‑Québec entrusted the implementation of several of these measures to the tallymen, thereby generating additional economic spinoffs for the Crees. This active involvement enabled the tallymen to resume their use of the land more quickly and to pursue their traditional activities.

Learn more about Hydro-Québec’s relations with Indigenous communities

What is the future role of Québec hydropower in the Northeast?

Québec and the states of the Northeastern U.S. have been major energy trading partners for decades. Because of the abundance of affordable clean energy in Québec, most of that trade has been from north to south. In fact, two major new export projects, the Champlain Hudson Power Express and the New England Clean Energy Connect, are due to be operational by 2026 – each delivering enough electricity to power 1 million homes. As both sides of the border tackle the challenges of the clean energy transition, it is time to think anew. Trade between these respective networks can be structured to optimize the economic and climate benefits of new and existing renewable energy supplies through greater regional transmission interconnectivity, allowing expanded bidirectional transmission of energy in a way that takes full advantage of clean, dispatchable power and long-term storage capacity of the Hydro-Québec system and the build-out of intermittent wind and solar resources in the northeastern U.S

Frequently asked questions about  Hydro-Québec Energy Services  U.S.

Stories from the community

Clean energy leaders highlight keys to achieving goals

Expanding free laundry services in Queens for families in need

Learn more about our projects in the Northeast

New England Energy Connect: Bringing clean power to Massachusetts and Maine

Champlain Hudson Power Express: An underground power highway to NYC

Frequently asked questions about Hydro-Québec Energy Services U.S.

What is Hydro-Québec?

How does Hydro-Québec sell electricity in the United States?

Why do we need hydropower when we have wind or solar?

Is the hydropower generated in Québec green?

How do Americans benefit from Québec’s hydropower?

Does Hydro-Québec have enough water to continue to serve New England and New York?

Does Hydro‑Québec treat First Nations fairly?

What is the future role of Québec hydropower in the Northeast?

Stories from the community

Clean energy leaders highlight keys to achieving goals

Expanding free laundry services in Queens for families in need

Learn more about our projects in the Northeast

New England Energy Connect: Bringing clean power to Massachusetts and Maine

Champlain Hudson Power Express: An underground power highway to NYC

Frequently asked questions about  Hydro-Québec Energy Services  U.S.