Canadian Province Planning 300 MW Solar Energy Tenders

• Quebec government plans to exclusively launch solar energy auctions in the state 
• It will launch the tenders through state utility HydroQuébec with the initial round planned for 2024-end 
• The government says solar complements wind and hydro energy, and its addition will diversify the state's electricity supply 

The Provincial Government of Quebec in Canada has revealed plans to tender 300 MW solar PV capacity through the state-owned and largest power utility in Canada, HydroQuébec, to increase and diversify energy supply. 

"Solar energy is the fastest growing electricity generation sector in North America. Like many regions of the world, Quebec will be able to benefit from this sector in order to increase the energy supply quickly and at the lowest cost," says the Quebec government. 

The PV technology exclusive tenders, once approved officially, will be launched in phases, starting from 2024-end. The initial round will focus on several small solar parks of a few MWs that will be directly connected to the utility's distribution network using its existing transmission infrastructure. 

Projects of modest size will make use of existing 'artificialized' environments such as large roofs, parking lots or urban wastelands to ensure minimal impact on natural and agricultural environments. 

"The objective of these calls for tenders relating to solar energy is to have better knowledge of the market and the speed of deployment of projects. In the current context of energy transition, solar energy is an essential complement to hydroelectricity and wind energy," explains The Minister of Economy, Innovation and Energy, Pierre Fitzgibbon. 

To enable an auction of this capacity, the state Economy Ministry has proposed a draft regulation to reserve a block of electricity of 300 MW from solar PV sources. It will be published in the state gazette Gazette officielle du Québec for a period of 45 days to seek public comments on the proposal. 

In June 2021, HydroQuébec commissioned 2 solar power plants, its 1st with a combined 9.5 MW installed capacity (see 9.5 MW Solar Power Capacity Online In Quebec).  

Canadian Renewable Energy Association (CanREA) has welcomed the draft regulation to acquire solar energy saying it will be the 1st on Quebec soil. Currently, Quebec produces 15 MW of solar energy, making up only 0.32% of the 4.6 GW installed nationwide. 

CanREA's Director Quebec and Atlantic Canada, Jean Habel "CanREA welcomes the predictability of these upcoming calls for tenders, but reiterates that Quebec would benefit from further integrating solar into its energy mix. Indeed, allowing more solar projects on roofs, as well as solar parks with optimal volume, would generate a better economy of scale and improve the overall prospects of this sector in Quebec."