The ambition to decarbonize Quebec
Since its designation in May 2023, the Energy Transition Valley (VTE) has been unfolding across the territories of Mauricie and Centre-du-Québec (MCQ) in synergy with its founding members: Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières (UQTR), Bécancour, Shawinigan, and Trois-Rivières. The ambition of the VTE is part of a societal project whose stakes surpass us, that of decarbonizing Quebec and reducing the environmental footprint of our economy.
Energy transition refers to the shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources in order to reduce CO2 emissions. The transition to a low-carbon future requires a profound and fundamental change in how we produce, store, and use energy.
The mission of the VTE is to create an innovation ecosystem in key areas of energy transition that are strengths of our two regions combined: battery technology, electrification of transportation, and decarbonization (renewable and low-carbon hydrogen). To achieve this, the VTE aims to bring together stakeholders from our territory, historically built on industrial knowledge, expertise in the energy sector, and a unique research ecosystem, three structuring components of our innovation zone.
An innovative ecosystem and collective commitment
Over the past few months, the energy transition ecosystem has rapidly expanded, bringing together companies and researchers from across Quebec and even Europe. The commitment to “doing together” is already palpable and materializing on the ground. It relies on concrete actions to mobilize partners, transcending aspects of competition, and focusing on specific innovation and co-development projects.
The VTE aims to be dynamic and inclusive, gathering all stakeholders in search of solutions to territorial planning, workforce attractiveness, housing, mobility, education, public health, and sustainable development challenges, among others. Coordination and consultation structures are emerging to identify best practices, establish recommendations, and guide future actions of VTE partners.
Projects for innovation centers are taking shape to promote connectivity between the research community, the industrial sector, and regional actors, thereby fostering a knowledge-sharing dynamic. These cutting-edge technological infrastructures will take the form of pilot plants and laboratories where researchers, industrialists, professors, and students will interact in inspiring living environments. They will be attached to a unique inter-order training center offering development and skills enhancement programs for the workforce. All of this will be implemented with the support of the Consortium Formation-Énergie Mauricie Centre-du-Québec, a grouping of ten educational institutions (5 school service centers, 4 CEGEPs, and UQTR).
Industrials are major and essential players who will foster innovation and collective wealth within the VTE. We envision the creation of an investment fund that will also support and finance innovative Quebec companies and projects in energy transition. The positioning of SMEs will enable collaboration opportunities with major players in the sector. This complementarity will encourage business growth and the acceleration of cutting-edge technologies.
Together for a Successful Energy Transition
Québec stands out for its undeniable assets such as green electricity and critical and strategic minerals. It is also characterized by the dynamism of its entrepreneurial fabric, the presence of research expertise, and a university and college system ensuring a highly qualified population. We have the opportunity to establish a decarbonized economy in Québec and to take a strong position internationally.
The challenge of energy transition is colossal. The stakes are multiple and complex. The VTE is still in its early stages, and much effort remains to be made for the successes of recent months to translate into tangible results in the years to come. Will our actions be perfect? Surely not. However, our commitment to doing well and better is unwavering.
We must collectively dare to take responsibility for acting differently to bring about real change. The status quo is not acceptable. We must jointly take action to reduce our carbon footprint and position Québec as a global leader in energy transition. This is the ambition of the VTE and the societal project we wish to carry with the entire community and partners.
Signatories:
Lucie Allard, Mayoress of Bécancour
Michel Angers, Mayor of Shawinigan
Jean Lamarche, Mayor of Trois-Rivières
Christian Blanchette, Rector of UQTR
Pierre Ducharme, Executive board chairman of Energy Transition Valley