Fréchette discusses possible deadline for Northvolt energy supply
Posted September 18, 2024 10:59 am.
The Legault government is threatening to withdraw Northvolt’s energy allocation after a certain period if the project does not move forward.
The Liberals criticized the CAQ for granting a 354-megawatt energy block without setting a deadline, while refusing electricity supplies to other Quebec companies that want to decarbonize their processes.
“None of you thought of making an exit clause, to say: if the energy blocks are not used, we will take them back?” said Liberal MNA Marwah Rizqy on Tuesday.
“We are currently considering how long these energy blocks will be offered and we will decide on this question, namely whether we set a limit and if so, how long is this duration?” said Energy Minister Christine Fréchette.
This statement by the minister comes at a time when Northvolt is experiencing financial difficulties, which is raising doubts about the construction of the battery factory in Montérégie.
She added, however, that the company had reassured her that their cost-cutting efforts would not affect the realization of the project in Quebec.
“I spoke with the North American director of Northvolt a few days ago (…) The nature of the project that is planned for Quebec remains, and the project in Quebec remains a priority.”
The $7 billion project, to which the federal and provincial governments have committed $2.4 billion, initially had three components: the manufacture of cells, cathodes, and the recycling of batteries.
–This report by La Presse Canadienne was translated by CityNews
