Good morning, Mr. Chair.
I would like to thank the committee for its invitation.
For 30 years, the Association québécoise de la production d'énergie renouvelable, AQPER, has brought together all stakeholders in the renewable energy sector, including those in the wind power and bioenergy sectors.
Our members have demonstrated their commitment to protecting biodiversity by adopting practices that minimize the environmental impact of their projects. At the same time, meeting our climate objectives and the transition to carbon neutrality will require a considerable increase in our production capacity, particularly in the wind and bioenergy sectors. Some of the areas affected by the order have strong wind power potential, and the proposed restrictions could block future developments. This could hinder Quebec's energy transition and compromise our climate objectives.
Think of the Pipmuacan area, identified as requiring increased intervention for caribou protection. It also has great wind power potential. The restrictions imposed by the order could jeopardize future development opportunities. In addition, certain provisional zones could enclose territories with high wind energy potential outside them, making it difficult to develop new projects.
The AQPER is particularly concerned about the lack of corridors allowing the passage of power lines for future wind projects located on the north shore. The accessibility of several sites with good wind power potential would be compromised if new power lines, from Micoua and Les Outardes to substations to the south, cannot be developed.
We propose an impact reduction approach focused on avoidance, minimization and, ultimately, compensation. In the case of the 735‑kilovolt Micoua-Saguenay line, for example, Hydro-Québec installed specially adapted towers to allow caribou to pass under the lines, demonstrating the feasibility of concrete measures to reconcile energy development and wildlife protection. Sustainably managed forest biomass is a key player in the fight against climate change, and the proposed restrictions could hamper efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In fact, a forest harvested in accordance with sustainable management principles has a high carbon sequestration capacity.
AQPER therefore recommends excluding wind power projects and bioenergy projects using residual forest biomass from the list of activities potentially prohibited by the order.
AQPER considers that flexibility should be introduced into the emergency order and the application of its restrictions, in order to take into account the specificities of each project. The territories covered by the potential emergency order are vast and do not present a uniform level of disturbance. Some areas are already highly disturbed and could offer prime locations for wind project development.
AQPER recommends integrated solutions for boreal caribou conservation and renewable energy project development. These projects can include specific conservation measures, such as habitat restoration and the establishment of ecological corridors, to reduce the fragmentation of caribou habitat.
Finally, we want the restrictions imposed by the order to be flexible and to take future projects into account, while ensuring that they are carried out in consultation with indigenous and local communities. A flexible, collaborative approach would not only protect the boreal caribou, but also enable us to continue developing renewable energy projects that will benefit everyone today and, above all, future generations.