Hydro-Québec is embarking on an ambitious project to modernize its electrical grid in downtown Montreal.

The new Berri 2 substation is designed to meet the growing demand for electricity, particularly due to the electrification of transportation and residential development.

According to Hydro, this project is essential to ensure a reliable and sustainable service for residents and businesses in the area.

Why a New Electric Station?

The growth in electricity demand in downtown Montreal requires an infrastructure capable of supporting this increase.

The current Berri station, which is 60 years old, can no longer effectively meet modern needs.

The new Berri 2 station, with a voltage of 315-25 kV, will allow us to meet this demand while adhering to the highest health and safety standards

Project Details

Hydro-Québec is studying several implementation scenarios for the new station, including underground, semi-underground, semi-surface, or elevated construction.

The project is currently in the pre-project phase, with work scheduled from 2029 to 2033 after obtaining government approvals.

Impact on the Community

The new Berri 2 station is designed to minimize the land footprint and to preserve landscaped areas as much as possible.

Hydro-Québec is committed to consulting with the City of Montreal and to reducing the impact of the work on nearby residents and passersby.

Schedule

The Berri 2 project is part of Hydro-Québec's 2035 Action Plan, aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and meeting the anticipated growth in electricity demand.

The work will begin after obtaining the necessary permits, with an estimated duration of four years.

To this end, according to publicly available information, Hydro-Québec has acquired the grounds of the Grande Bibliothèque for an amount of 22 million dollars.

The project plans to construct a 315,000 volt substation on this land. Hydro-Québec studied nine scenarios before selecting the one involving the Grande Bibliothèque.

The representatives of the state-owned company expressed their satisfaction in supporting the cultural vocation of the Quartier latin through this project. Two storage floors for the documentation of Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec (BAnQ) are planned within the architectural envelope that is meant to conceal the imposing structure.

The sale of the BAnQ lands must finance the creation of a House of Music in the former Saint-Sulpice library on Saint-Denis Street.

The project construction costs were estimated at 48.5 million dollars in 2024.

Hydro-Québec hopes to put this new electrical substation into service by 2030, but at least six years of work are necessary.

Preliminary hearings before the Bureau of Public Hearings on the Environment (BAPE) must also be considered.