Hydro-Quebec to upgrade its 735 kV grid

• a month ago (2024-11-11)
• David Flin

North America 1026 Transmission 195

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Canada’s Hydro-Québec is upgrading its 735 kV grid in order to support the energy transition of the province of Québec.

The first phase of the upgrade will include optimisation of the existing system and construction of 850 km of new 735 kV or 315 kV lines, along with 5 new substations in 3 locations. This will allow new generation to be integrated into the grid, increasing grid reliability and resilience to increasingly intense weather phenomena.

The announcement backs the Action Plan 2035 and aims to meet an increasing requirement for clean and renewable electricity. Action Plan 2035 requires an additional 60 TWh annually of zero-carbon electricity by 2035 from 8-9 GW of new installed capacity. This new generation will require reinforcement of the main transmission system to ensure system reliability.

Three priority areas – Cete Nord, Appalaches Bas Saint Laurent, and Vallee du Saint Laurent – have been identified to allow new power generation to be integrated into the grid.