1 billion to decarbonize buildings in Quebec

This will allocate $1 billion to decarbonize the construction sector.

The Legault government will make the announcement today, during its annual update on measures to implement the Green Economy Plan, its Quebec Climate Mitigation Framework Policy and Electrification Acceleration.

New obligations for building owners

Radio-Canada has learned that Quebec is working on a building declaration and mandatory rating system. It will be a kind of bulletin aimed at evaluating the energy performance of the facility.

Thus, a bill will be introduced next fall with the aim of forcing landlords to find solutions to meet stricter heating standards.

However, the carrot is being waved before the stick: new standards will come into force gradually and financial aid programs will be introduced. The government will have to reassure owners about the administrative burden of the new system, which it promises will be simple and automated.

The bill will be much harsher for new construction that must meet higher energy efficiency requirements.

Waste heat recovery

The heat produced by factories in large quantities, which most of the time is not recovered but is spit out into the air or into the water, is a huge waste of energy.

In detailing $1 billion to decarbonize buildings, Quebec is offering $215 million for the so-called Thermal recovery. Concretely, this consists of capturing the heat emitted by an industrial building and redirecting it to another facility that uses it as an energy source.

The Legault government is very interested in this kind of project. He has already given the go-ahead to the mega hospital University Hospital de Québec uses steam from a municipal incinerator. Another example: thermal drainage from the Resolute Forest Products plant in Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean meets the energy needs of Toundra greenhouses that produce vegetables.

According to our information, the Chauffez vert program budget will also be increased and will benefit from an additional $129 million. It aims to encourage owners of fossil fuel buildings to convert to electric or dual energy, if they are unable to make a full conversion.

Quebec also takes a very positive view of buildings equipped with heat accumulators. Grants will be made to interested parties. These are devices that accumulate heat to release during peak periods.

Goals achieved?

Recall that the latest budget submitted by Quebec provides for $9 billion in investments over five years to implement the 2030 Green Economy Plan. The Legault government plans to reduce carbon emissions by 37.5%. greenhouse gases compared to 1990 levels. It also aims to make Quebec a carbon neutral country by 2050.

During his last presentation, Minister Benoit Sharett had calculated that the measures announced so far would make it possible to achieve only 51% of the reduction targets. greenhouse gases. The pressure from environmentalists is too much for him to announce the rate increase.