Quebecers can expect to see a forest of new transmission lines over the next few years.
On Monday, Hydro-Québec announced the launch of the first phase of development and reinforcement work on its power transmission network – the high-voltage lines that carry large quantities of electricity from where it is generated to the substations that redistribute it to clients.
It was already known that Hydro-Québec’s wants to massively increase its electricity production, but once produced, this electricity must be transported.
Between now and 2035, the utilities corporation plans to invest a total of $50 billion to install some 5,000 kilometers of transmission lines, about half at high voltage (735 kilovolts and 315 kilovolts) and the other half at intermediate voltage (between 69 kV and 315 kV) for regional development and local loads.
1600 new towers
The first phase announced on Monday represents investments of around $10 billion to reinforce the existing network, build …