Does the thermal industry have any future in Quebec?

Quebec developed hydroelectricity massively, and built up huge amounts of surplus in the early eighties. But in the past years, the situation has drastically changed, with the state-owned company Hydro Quebec (HW) not having any more energy surplus to sell off, whereas the cost of electricity on adjacent markets has gone up substantially and structurally. In order to deal with the emergency, HQ prepared a combined cycle thermal plant, which it had to give up due to the massive controversy it raised. This article discusses the reorganization of the electricity sector, of energy security and mainly, the timeliness of developing the gas thermal industry. It has been established that the new energy security feeling cannot be used to maintain the current status quo, and that developing new sources of energy could significantly help meet the increasing needs and thus provide secured supplies. The authors believe that not only should Quebec's new energy policy ensure access to energy at a competitive price, it should also reflect the place of energy as a source of national wealth and prosperity. (authors)