Hydro Québec - statistics & facts
Hydro Québec is one of the largest electric utilities in Canada that purchases and generates clean energy. This public utility is based in Montreal and focuses primarily on generating, transmitting, and distributing electricity across Québec. It was established in April 1944 under the government in Québec after criticism from citizens on the high prices and profits of the electric sector in the province. Its Robert-Bourassa dam is also the largest hydroelectricity facility in Canada.
Due to environmental concerns regarding large dams and reservoirs, Hydro Québec set up an environmental protection committee in 1970 to oversee and study the effects on surrounding wildlife.
Financial performance of Hydro Québec
In 2023, Hydro Québec's revenue came to about 16 billion Canadian dollars. This was more than double the revenue generated by its competitor Hydro One, which came to 7.8 billion Canadian dollars that year. Hydro Québec's number of customers served was over four million customers and has one of the lowest electricity prices in North America. If the company has an electricity surplus, the company will often sell part of the electricity to nearby systems in Canada and the United States. Currently, Hydro Québec focuses primarily on hydroelectric generation but has also begun to develop other renewable technologies such as wind energy and biomass.Electricity sales volume of Hydro Québec
Households are the company’s largest customer group. In 2023, Hydro Québec's electricity sales volume amounted to 68.1 terawatt hours to residential housing units, whereas commercial, institutional, and small industrial businesses bought some 48 terawatt hours of electricity that same year. Total electricity sales came to 200.3 terawatt hours that year.Due to environmental concerns regarding large dams and reservoirs, Hydro Québec set up an environmental protection committee in 1970 to oversee and study the effects on surrounding wildlife.
