Energy
Where does the energy consumed in Quebec come from?
In terms of energy, Quebec stands out from other regions of the world due to its large share of local supply. In 2022, nearly 50% of the energy consumed came from renewable sources within Quebec. In terms of proportions, hydroelectricity constitutes the main source of local energy, followed by biomass, wind power and renewable natural gas (RNG).
Quebec imports hydrocarbons to meet its other energy needs. Refined petroleum products, mainly used in the transport sector, account for 36% of the energy consumed, while natural gas, mainly used by the industrial sector, accounts for 13%.
Propane, coal and coke (a fuel obtained from coal), used mainly by industry, are the sources of the other 2% consumed in Quebec.
With 191 gigajoules (GJ) per person, Quebec ranks among the regions of the world with the highest annual energy consumption per capita. In comparison, Ontario consumes 161 GJ per capita, Germany 105 GJ, and the world average is 53 GJ.
This high consumption is explained in part by the presence of very energy-intensive industries (aluminum smelters, pulp and paper mills, etc.) in Quebec. However, the energy consumed per capita in the transportation and residential and commercial building sectors is higher than that of several European countries whose standard of living is comparable to or higher than that of Quebec. Between 2000 and 2022, total energy consumption in the province increased by 13%.
Figure 1 : Comparison of Quebec’s per capita energy consumption with that of other countries in 2022 (From: État de l’énergie - Edition 2025, p.38).
Hydroelectricity: A pillar of Quebec’s energy supply
Quebec is known for its hydropower, a renewable energy source that makes up the majority of the electricity generated in the province. In 2023, 94% of Quebec’s electricity was from hydroelectric sources and 5% from wind sources. Together, biomass, geothermal energy, solar energy and diesel represent approximately 1% of the energy produced in Quebec.
The electricity provider Hydro-Québec owns the largest electricity transmission grid in North America, stretching nearly 35,000 km from the north to the south of Quebec. The grid has 18 interconnections allowing the import of electricity from neighbouring regions and export to different regions.
Figure 2: Electricity production in Quebec by source in 2023. (From: État de l’énergie, 2025, p.17).
Around the world, the energy used for electricity generation and heating often comes from non-renewable energy sources, such as oil, coal and natural gas. The combustion of these hydrocarbons is one of the main sources of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, which are responsible for climate change. Moving towards renewable energies is central to climate change mitigation.
Integrating climate change into energy planning
With climate change already putting the power grid to the test, it’s important to integrate climate data into the planning of new infrastructure and the improvement of the reliability of existing facilities. Major infrastructure investments related to the energy transition represent a unique opportunity to integrate future climate considerations into planning, renovation and construction decisions to reduce the risks associated with climate hazards. Ultimately, this approach will increase the resilience of Quebec’s energy system.
It is crucial that the energy planning underway in Quebec prioritize adaptation issues. Climate-related issues, like the evaluation of climate risks to production and infrastructure, the choice of subsidiaries, and the analysis of the feasibility and costs of adaptation measures, must be fully integrated into the strategic decisions that will shape the future of Quebec’s energy system.
The energy transition in Quebec
Quebec is focusing its climate action on the energy transition to reduce its GHG emissions, 70% of which are associated with the energy sector.
The province has committed to a collective approach to decarbonize its economy by 2050 while respecting environmental standards and ensuring social acceptability.
However, nearly 50% of the energy consumed in Quebec still comes from fossil fuels. The aim of the transition is to replace them with local renewable sources, such as hydropower, wind and solar power, or bioenergy.
To achieve this, the population and industries are being called upon to rethink their consumption choices by prioritizing efficiency and energy frugality.
To structure this transition, the government adopted the Energy Transition, Innovation and Efficiency Master Plan, which is complementary to the 2030 Plan for a Green Economy. These plans, the monitoring of which is included in the Plan for a Green Economy Implementation Plan, aim to change our use of energy and reduce the GHG emissions related to its generation and consumption through:
- The electrification of transport
- Energy efficiency and frugality
- The decarbonization of the building and industrial sectors
- The gradual transition from fossil fuel energy sources to renewable energy sources
Learn more about the quantified targets of the 2030 Plan for a Green Economy
In 2025, the National Assembly passed the Act to ensure the responsible governance of energy resources and to amend various legislative provisions in order to strengthen the legislative framework for the energy transition and support the decarbonization of the economy.
Faced with the growing demand for green energy, Quebec will have to:
- Increase its efforts in terms of energy efficiency
- Diversify and increase its supply
- Optimize existing facilities and accelerate the development of new renewable energy sources
This law also provides for the creation of an integrated energy resource management plan. This plan will guide the actions of the government, local partners, energy distributors, and developers, covering all energy sources.
The objective is to ensure sustainable and consistent energy development with the ongoing transition, while supporting the economic development of Quebec and its regions.
Learn more: 2030 Plan for a Green Economy | The integrated energy resource management plan (French only) | The energy vision (French only)
Through its Action Plan 2035, Hydro-Québec is providing significant support to the province’s energy transition effort. The Crown corporation plans to invest more than $150 billion in the resilience and development of its energy asset portfolio to meet growing demand. This increase in demand is linked in particular to the electrification of transport, buildings and industries, and to economic growth. These investments also aim to:
- Ensure reliable, quality service
- Respond to growing demand
- Cover additional operating expenses
By 2035, Hydro-Québec anticipates that the massive investment in infrastructure will generate significant economic benefits for Quebec, as the projects will provide jobs for an average of 35,000 construction workers per year. The economic benefits associated with the energy sector could amount to more than $100 billion.
Ultimately, Hydro-Québec plans to have to double electricity production by 2050. This objective represents an increase in annual production of 150 to 200 TWh compared to 2022, in order to meet electricity demand.
Research Project | Synergies: Interactions Between Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation in Canada’s Energy Supply Sector
This first Canadian overview of the interactions between GHG mitigation and climate change adaptation in the energy sector raised awareness among decision-makers and companies in the electricity sector about the complex interactions between emissions mitigation and adaptation efforts.
Learn about energy security as a priority in adaptation
Last update of the page : december 2025.
