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Contributions and Perspectives from the Energy Efficiency Industry
Wednesday, November 18, 2026
This session will present a recent study sponsored by CQ3E involving the characterization of the energy efficiency sector in Quebec. The study was carried out by the Energy Sector Management Chair at HEC Montréal. Chair Holder and Principal Investigator Pierre-Olivier Pineau will host the session.
The initial presentation will cover the study’s findings and highlight key messages. Panelists will then be invited to share their experiences and provide their expert opinions on ways of encouraging stakeholders to step up work in the sector. The discussion may also touch on other CQ3E activities.
1:30 p.m.
Energy Efficiency Industry Overview
Conference details
Energy efficiency is an essential lever of the energy transition in Québec. It reduces pressure on new power generation infrastructure, limits costs associated with grid reinforcement and generates numerous co-benefits. This session will present the findings of a profile of Québec’s energy efficiency industry conducted by the Chair in Energy Sector Management at HEC Montréal for the CQ3E, to highlight trends, key players and future prospects in a critical sector for Québec’s energy future.
2:20 p.m.
Industry Perspectives and Key Messages
Conference details
Alongside the presentation of the Portrait de l’industrie (industry profile), Mr. Dussault will present CQ3E’s vision and position on accelerating the development of the sector, which is essential to achieving decarbonization and energy productivity goals in Québec.
2:45 p.m.
Energy Efficiency as an Investment Lever
Conference details
Can energy efficiency serve as a lever to decarbonize an aging building inventory while meeting significant asset maintenance needs? At the CIUSSS de la Capitale-Nationale, bundling the needs of 19 buildings into a single project made it possible to find the best balance between investments, energy savings and GHG emission reduction.
This presentation will show how a guaranteed energy savings (GES) contract helped structure the project by combining asset maintenance, grants and energy savings, while managing cost and performance risks. This case study will highlight the technical, financial and contractual levers that make it possible to consider a building inventory as a whole and carry out projects that would be difficult to justify individually.
3 p.m.
Synergy and Engagement in Data Management
Conference details
People and data are at the heart of energy efficiency in the mining industry. Discover how synergy between field team mobilization, targeted data leveraging and the implementation of simple actions can permanently eliminate energy waste and deliver concrete, measurable gains.
3:15 p.m.
The Realities Facing Manufacturers in 2026
Conference details
The 2018–2021 period, when a project that reduces a plant’s energy consumption and energy costs could quickly be justified and become a top priority, is now well behind us. In 2026, with natural gas and electricity rates remaining relatively low in Québec, executives must focus above all on enhancing competitiveness, reducing costs, boosting productivity and contending with labour shortages. In this context, energy efficiency still delivers a return, but it becomes even more compelling when integrated into projects driven by productivity, reliability and better labour utilization.
