How the Value of Hydroelectric Infrastructure Can Benefit from Wind Power

Hydroelectric infrastructure accounts for nearly 100% of the electricity in Quebec, Canada, yet a new $600 million wind energy project is likely to make this infrastructure even more valuable.  How? Because hydro power can essentially serve as backup power during times when the wind is not blowing.  It would also allow local officials to increase their ability to export power to the U.S.

The Intertwining of Wind Power and Hydroelectric Infrastructure

The $600 million wind project is 50% owned by Boralex, a global green energy company, with the other half owned by north shore Innu communities.  When the wind is blowing, the electricity generated from this project will provide the ability to export the surplus hydro power to nearby countries and communities.  When it’s not, the hydroelectric infrastructure will kick-in to ensure that access to power remains uninterrupted.

Another aspect of this relationship is that wind and solar power facilities are now much less expensive to build than hydroelectric dams.  Thus, the power generated from wind or solar is cheaper for consumers, which allows these types of electricity sources to be utilized first, with the more expensive hydro power at the ready in case it’s needed.

Hydroelectric dams can also serve as something akin to batteries that can store power, as opposed to other sources where the electricity must be used immediately or lost.  It goes without saying that anything that can reduce waste is a good thing.

Thanks to its strong hydroelectric infrastructure, Quebec appears to be in an extremely advantageous position when it comes to the reliability of its power supply.  This alone is impressive, but even more impressive is the fact that the northeast part of the U.S. should benefit from an increased ability to import power from Canada whenever necessary.  This can only help when it comes to reliability and resiliency.