Quebec moves to ban natural gas in buildings from 2040
The Canadian province of Quebec will ban the use of natural gas in new and existing residential, commercial and institutional buildings from 2040, Environment Minister Benoit Charette and Energy Minister Christine Frechette said November 18 on the sidelines of COP29 in Baku.
By combining energy efficiency, electrification, bio-energy and the “optimal use” of other renewable energy sources such as “renewable source gas”, the province’s buildings decarbonisation plan targets an overall 50% reduction in fossil fuel greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions related to building heating by 2030, from 1990 levels, a 60% GHG emissions reduction from government-owned housing by 2030 and zero emissions of fossil-related GHGs related to heating in institutional real estate by 2040.
Gas-fired heaters would be banned in new residential construction starting in 2026.
“To effectively combat climate change, every sector must contribute, including buildings,” Charette said, noting the natural gas ban follows on the heels of the government’s earlier moves to regulate heating oil. “In collaboration with our energy sector partners and municipalities, we will implement measures to ensure an orderly transition to renewable energy, while ensuring gradual adaptation for consumers.”
But MEI, an independent policy think-tank headquartered in Montreal, says it would be a mistake for Quebec to ban natural gas from conventional sources.
“In case the government has forgotten, Quebec is still facing a lack of electricity, with all the negative effects this has on development,” says Gabriel Giguere, MEI’s senior policy analyst. “In this context, banning a reliable source of energy from new buildings amounts to shooting oneself in the foot.”
Giguere points out that as recently as last year, provincial utility Hydro-Quebec said it would have difficulty meeting demand if new buildings could not use natural gas, particularly for heating purposes. And just last week, the government-owned utility revised upwards its projections for electricity demand in 2035, asking Quebecers to lower their thermostats during peak winter periods and to spend money to better insulate their homes.
“Just last week, Hydro-Québec asked Quebecers to heat a little bit less in the winter to avoid power shortages,” Giguere said. “This should have sent a clear message to the government regarding Quebec’s continued need for gas heating.”