Quebec has everything it needs to become a leader in the energy transition: green electricity, critical and strategic minerals, entrepreneurial dynamism, and scientific expertise. With the creation of the Energy Transition Valley Innovation Zone (ZI-VTE), the government is taking concrete steps to decarbonize our society.
But successfully achieving this transition requires us to rethink our lifestyles and production methods. Together, individuals, businesses, and communities must adopt sustainable and innovative solutions to address today’s challenges. The ZI-VTE is emerging as a driving force for change, connecting talent, ideas, and resources to build a responsible economic model and an attractive living environment. Today, every action counts in transforming our climate challenges into opportunities and building a stronger, greener, and more prosperous Quebec.
A Growing Ecosystem
15+
specific collaboration agreements signed with partners.
4000+
visitors to the innovation zone
125+
activities carried out with the France-Quebec Exchange Corridor
65+
delegations hosted and international missions conducted
50+
VTE letters of support for projects related to the energy transition
730+
meetings organized to foster the ecosystem
Chronology of major milestones
April 2023
- Launch of the PADS feasibility studies for the Innovation Centres (ICs).
May 2023 to September 2023
- Official designation as an Innovation Zone (IZ).
- Launch of a feasibility study on labor force study for battery
- Beginning of the business plan development.
- Launch of the VTE Commitment Declaration.
September 2023 to January 2024
- First General Assembly and official establishment of the Board of Directors.
- First meeting of the Scientific Committee (CS-VTE).
- Submission of the ICs studies to the Board of Directors.
January 2024 to March 2024
- Finalization of the business plan.
- Four new employees hired.
- Signing of the circular economy agreement (SPIPB / City of Bécancour/Cité de l’innovation circulaire).
- Signing of the Innovation Zone Agreement
- 1st Sustainable Development Committee Meeting
- Launch of the FRQNT–VTE call for research projects (CAD $5 million).
March 2024 to August 2024
- Submission of the Labor Force Study to the Board of Directors
- Start of the development of the 2024–2028 strategic plan
- A New Resource for Communication
- 1st Living Environment Committee Meeting
April 2024 to November 2024
- Second VTE General Assembly.
- Launch of the Bécancour Living Lab pilot project.
November 2024 to January 2025
- Approval of the Strategic Plan by the Board of Directors.
- Start of the development of the three-year action plan
- Creation of two CIRIFs in partnership with the VTE (CAD $3 million).
January 2025 to March 2025
- Development of the three-year Action Plan begins.
- Submission of the ICs applications to the MEIE and completion of relevance assessments.
- Announcement of the results of the FRQNT–VTE research projects and launch of a new call for proposals.
March 2025 to May 2025
- Deployment of the Action Plan.
- Development of the VTE KPI framework begins.
May 2025 to September 2025
- VTE Québec Energy Transition Summit.
- Development of the Communications Plan.
September 2025 to January 2026
- Third VTE General Assembly and restructuring of the CS-VTE.
- Publication of the Summit synthesis report.
- Launch of the Pan-Canadian Hydrogen Hub Alliance.
- MEIE validation of the relevance of the Shawinigan IC.
- Submission of the Axelys Continuum Innovation funding application.
- Launch of the first cohort of the Energy Transition Acceleration Program.
Janvier 2026
- Strengthening of the VTE strategic identity (ADN).
- Launch of the conceptual design study for the Bécancour IC.
Strategic Issues and Priority Pathways
- Strengthening alliances and agreements
- Framework agreements with founding members
- Acceptance of major projects
- Sustainable Development Committee and implementation of the circularity agreement in Bécancour
- Launch of a collaborative initiative to develop a reference framework for sustainable territorial development
- Development of the three hubs (Shawinigan academic research hub, Trois-Rivières ideation/commercialization
- hub, and Bécancour industrialization hub)
- Showcase and demonstration projects
- Scientific Committee and scientific programming
- Quality of Life Committee
- Rollout of the social innovation model within the industrial zone
- Market Access
- Strategic Partnerships
- Strategic Development of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)
- Global Reach and International Appeal
- Achieving financial independence
- Implementation of a system for continuous improvement and effective operational management
- Private investments
- Deployment of the Innovation Continuum
What Our Partners Say
What are the main benefits of VTE for your organization?
What are the main benefits of VTE for your organization?
Has the VTE helped to further structure the energy transition ecosystem in Quebec?
Has the VTE helped to further structure the energy transition ecosystem in Quebec?
Has the VTE helped to further structure the research and innovation ecosystem?
Has the VTE helped to further structure the research and innovation ecosystem?
Some testimonials
« Value begins with the quality of the people involved, their commitment, and their desire to make Quebec’s energy transition a collective success. The VTE plays a key role in networking, raising visibility, and attracting investment. The impact is tangible, and the drive to succeed is contagious. »
« The VTE has brought together organizations with diverse missions (including cities, universities, private companies, and ports) around common goals. »
« The VTE serves as a showcase today and plays a key role in bringing together information and stakeholders in Quebec. To put it simply, without the VTE today, Quebec would have no dedicated hub for innovation and development in the energy transition, only scattered individual initiatives across the province.»
« Working with the VTE has allowed us to strengthen our company’s leadership in the energy transition. »