The Canadian utility Hydro-Québec has launched its first call for solar tender for 300 MW to reach its new goal of developing 3 GW of solar capacity by 2035. Considering solar technical advantages, speed of deployment and increasingly competitive costs, Hydro-Québec expects solar to become a complementary source to hydroelectricity, energy efficiency and wind power. Its call for tenders corresponds to solar projects for up to 25 MW planned to be connected to the grid by 2029. From the tender’s results, the utility expects to determine whether to develop projects of more than 25 MW.
Hydro-Québec specified that its 3 GW goal will depend on the performance of its first solar projects, adapting its plan to reach its ambitions at the “best possible cost” by developing the sector through three different methods: through tenders for solar projects connected to the distribution system, the possible development of large-scale solar projects and through the support of residential and commercial self-production.
As for self-generation, the company wants to make solar panels installation for residential and commercial use more accesssile, planning to buy their energy surplus at its full value, with financial aid for the acquisition and installation of solar panels expected to be offered starting 2026.
Canada has an electricity capacity of 158 GW (end of 2024), of which solar represented only 6 GW (4%).
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