About

The energy transition is the term used to describe the gradual shift from fossil-based energy to different forms of renewable energy. It also involves changes in behaviour to eliminate over-consumption and wastage of energy while encouraging the emergence of an energy efficiency culture.

Basically, the cause of climate change is energy-related. In Canada and throughout the world, roughly 80% of all greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions produced by human activity derive from energy production and consumption.(*) In Québec, even despite the province’s mostly hydroelectric production system, 72% of all GHG emissions are directly linked to energy.(**) Yet, with its considerable energy potential and ability to create knowledge and expertise in social and technological innovation, Québec has everything it needs to become a major player in the worldwide energy transition.

The energy transition must be profitable from an environmental, economic and social standpoint. Québec therefore encourages all its citizens to join forces and work together to achieve a fair energy transition that not only meets the sustainable development goals of the Québec and Canadian governments, but also upholds the aims of international climate agreements.

To complete its energy transition successfully, Québec has focused on specific pillars:

• Energy efficiency, to ensure that everyone consumes less and better, while saving money
• Energy sobriety, to rethink our behaviour and needs and improve our quality of life in other ways
• Direct electrification, where it is possible and viable
• The use of other renewable energies where direct electrification is not possible

* Natural Resources Canada, Energy use and greenhouse gas emissions, website, consulted on December 16^th, 2019.

** Chair in Energy Sector Management, HEC Montréal, The state of energy in Quebec 2021 (In French Only), page 44, January 2021.

As part of its mandate, the Sector prepares and implements the Energy transition, innovation and efficiency master plan for Québec, with the aim of achieving responsible, sustainable economic development.

The master plan describes the programs and measures to be implemented by government departments, partner agencies and energy distributors to achieve the government’s energy targets.

2030 Vision

Québec’s goal is for its renewable energy to meet most of its needs by 2030, through a combination of expertise and responsible behaviour. It also hopes to be able to offer solutions to other regions of the world seeking green energy. In doing this, it will meet its decarbonisation goals for the economy.

The Secteur de l’innovation et de la transition énergétiques is responsible for monitoring major trends in the energy field and identifying issues. It works with government departments and agencies, as well as with energy distributors, to prepare energy plans, strategies, regulations, standards and other initiatives adapted to Québec’s specific context, to help achieve the government’s energy transition, innovation and efficiency targets. 

Its responsibilities also include developing the various fields of knowledge in the energy sector, developing and disseminating long-term forecast scenarios for energy demand and greenhouse gas emissions, and producing and disseminating statistics on Québec’s energy sector. 

In addition to offering services, support and financial assistance programs to citizens and to business and institutional clients, the Sector has built leading-edge expertise and ascribes a great deal of importance to knowledge acquisition and expansion. These attributes are not only valuable assets, they are also essential to ensure a fair energy transition and coherent, responsible resource development.