Hydro-Québec’s latest supply plan, covering 2027 to 2041, projects an "extremely high" increase in electricity consumption, estimating an additional 60 terawatt‑hours by 2041 – roughly a 30 % jump. The surge is linked to the electrification of transport, the rapid growth of data centres and the conversion of fossil‑fuel‑based buildings to hydro power. To meet this outlook the utility intends to add about 24 GW of new generation capacity by 2041 and to achieve 21 TWh of efficiency savings by 2035. The report also revises down the forecast for total sales to 212.2 TWh, a cut from the previous 227.5 TWh estimate. Energy analyst Jean‑François Blain argues that this downward revision signals slower growth than anticipated and could translate into higher electricity rates for households. He points to the expanding demand of data centres, whose winter peak needs could climb from 350 MW today to nearly 2 GW by 2041. Low water levels in Hydro‑Québec’s reservoirs have already reduced generation by 108 TWh between 2023 and 2025, a loss attributed to climate‑related droughts and heavy rains. The utility acknowledges that a shortfall may force it to import power from other Canadian provinces or the United States if new capacity does not materialise in time. #Quebec #HydroQuébec #Energy #ImportElectricity #PowerDemand Fuente: CBC | Ottawa News (Canadá)
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