To meet Massachusetts’ energy needs, Hydro-Québec is proposing six options—either 100% hydropower or a hydro-wind power supply blend— offered over one of three proposed new transmission lines. Through innovative partnerships with proven leaders in New England’s energy sector and experienced Québec wind power producers, this new source of clean energy will be provided to Massachusetts in the form of firm deliveries, every hour of the year for the next 20 years.
Hydro-Québec has partnered with three possible transmission projects:
Northern Pass Transmission project (Eversource Energy)
New England Clean Power Link project (Transmission Developers Inc.)
New England Clean Energy Connect (Central Maine Power)
Firm reliable hydropower and wind generation backed by Hydro-Québec’s generating fleet
The attributes of Québec hydropower as a low carbon, baseload and flexible electricity source are well suited to contribute to all of Massachusetts’ objectives. What’s more, Hydro-Québec’s high-performance fleet of existing hydropower generating stations produce energy that is available today, in significant quantities.
The hydropower/wind supply option has been designed with Gaz Métro , a leading energy provider in Québec and New England, and Boralex, a large and experienced private renewable energy power producer that has carved out a major share of the wind power market in Canada. The proposed project, SBx, is a 300-MW wind farm, which would be the fourth phase of the Seigneurie de Beaupré Wind Farms. SBx would be entirely developed, financed, built and operated by Boralex and Gaz Métro.
In each of the hydropower/wind supply options, the energy would be firmed by Hydro-Québec hydropower.
Energy diversity for Massachusetts
On March 31st 2017, Massachusetts’ Electric Distribution Companies launched a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the procurement of large quantities of firm clean energy which will help the state reduce its energy costs, enhance reliability and contribute to its greenhouse gas reduction (GHG) requirements. The RFP’s objectives were laid out in Massachusetts’ law An Act Relative to Energy Diversity in August 2016. The law also lays a foundation for the New England region to transition to a cost-effective clean energy future. The Act requires utilities to competitively solicit proposals for 9.45 TWh of clean energy generation from diverse sources, including firm hydropower and onshore wind supported by hydropower.
“Massachusetts is leading the way in New England’s energy transition,” said Éric Martel, Hydro-Québec’s CEO. “Our hydropower can be the foundation to reduce the overall price of electricity for the people of Massachusetts and help the state integrate more renewable sources onto its grid.”
Hydro-Québec: a natural ally
As a long-standing partner in the northeast, Hydro-Québec is pleased to be working with experienced leaders in the energy sector in New England and Québec and we look forward to further enhancing our energy trading relationship and grid integration. We are confident that Québec hydropower and wind resources are ideal for delivering incremental energy and environmental attributes to Massachusetts’ customers.
