Hitachi Energy to Expand Quebec Factory with 16 MW Electricity Allocation
VARENNES, QC – Hitachi Energy has secured a 16-megawatt electricity block from Hydro-Québec for its Varennes manufacturing facility, a move poised to bolster the company’s production of critical transformers used in Quebec’s expanding power grid. The announcement, expected Monday, will likely include participation from both Quebec Minister of Economy, Innovation and Energy Christine Fréchette and federal Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Tim Hodgson, signaling a joint public-private investment.
The additional power will support Hitachi Energy’s role in supplying giant transformers to Hydro-Québec, essential components for increasing electricity transmission capacity – including the planned development of 5,000 kilometers of new transport lines across the province as part of Hydro-Québec’s 2035 plan. Sixteen megawatts is enough to power three Bell Centers. Hitachi Energy invested $140 million last year to expand the Varennes factory.
This allocation follows a recent decision by Premier François Legault to grant 25 MW to Agnico Eagle in Abitibi-Témiscamingue, raising questions about the prioritization of electricity blocks amidst growing demand and the province’s decarbonization goals. The Minister of Economy,innovation and Energy,Christine Fréchette,is responsible for choosing projects that benefit from electricity blocks.
