Hydro-Québec Offers New York a Clean Energy Commitment

Hydro-Québec has submitted two proposals to partner with New York on projects that will make substantial contributions to the state’s clean energy future. Their bids include providing incremental hydropower for the near term as well as for many decades to come.

These bids enhance present New York transmission infrastructure and set the stage for partnership with New York in choosing new transmission to deliver clean energy resources to places where they are most required in the state.

The New York Power Authority (NYPA) in June 2017 issued a Large Scale Renewables Request For Proposals (Q17-6164 MH) for the procurement of 1 million MWh (1 TWh) or more to support the progress of the state’s power infrastructure and large-scale, cost-efficient renewable projects.

Hydro-Québec is submitting two options for deliberation by NYPA:

• Optimizing Existing Infrastructure for Clean Energy Progress

Hydro-Québec can increase deliveries into New York via a transmission infrastructure improvement project. By upgrading a current interconnection, Hydro-Québec can provide an extra 700 GWh/year of reliable, renewable energy deliveries.

• New Transmission infrastructure :  A great leap towards New York’s Fifty by Thirty Goal

Hydro-Québec proposes to supply large volumes of hydroelectricity — 5.8 to 8.3 TWh annually — over a major new or extended interconnection into New York from Québec. The company would also partner with US developers in the design of the transmission infrastructure required in New York and build the corresponding transmission facilities required in Québec. New York is aiming to realize a 50% increase in its use of renewable energy by 2030. Through its firm, continuous deliveries of hydropower, Hydro-Québec could thus be a key part of the solution in decreasing greenhouse gas emissions and guaranteeing a secure electricity supply for New Yorkers.

Achieving a long-term clean energy future for New York

Hydro-Québec has been delivering clean, robust power to New Yorkers for more than a century. Improving grid integration, through new or expanded transmission facilities, will enhance reliability and cost-effectiveness in New York for the future. Interconnected electricity markets are more efficient, using power produced from a variety of resources over a wide geographic area. These features reduce the cost of generating and managing electricity for the region.

Hydro-Québec: the battery of North America

Québec’s hydropower generating fleet is aided by a system of 62 power stations, whose 27 reservoirs allow water to collect for future use or to be dispatched to meet real-time changes in consumer demand. Québec’s reservoir storage capacity totals 176 TWh – more than sufficient electricity to supply New York State for a whole year. This unique characteristic can facilitate the deployment of intermittent sources of clean energy, such as solar or wind. Hydro-Québec may also assist New York in combining hydropower with other renewable sources.

New York is at the vanguard of clean energy policy initiatives and is set to significantly cut GHG emissions over the next decade. As North America’s largest supplier of clean energy and a decades-long regional partner, we can offer the reliability, flexibility and strength of our hydropower system in developing solutions to meet New York’s clean energy goals.

Éric Martel, President and Chief Executive Officer, Hydro-Québec