Hydro PDG steps back on substation plan
Hydro-Quebec PDG Michael Sabia has posted a statement on the utility website admitting that the substation project planned on the library block has not received social acceptance while still pitching hard for the necessity of a new substation for that part of town.
faiz imam 19:49 on 2025-03-06 Permalink
it would help if they had a concrete proposal of how the existing site will be used once its all done.
If its going to be a nice space, which is certainly possible, then more people will accept the exchange.
for now its about giving up a nice if empty open space for a unknown new space later.
Kate 22:52 on 2025-03-06 Permalink
I hadn’t seen anything recently about plans for that piece of land before this substation idea came up. As I’ve mentioned before, when the library was new I went for a tour, where we were told that the art park beside the building was going to be gradually enlarged with new sculptures and new landscaping until it reached Ontario Street. Obviously that didn’t happen.
But one thing I find odd is the plea that the Quartier Latin doesn’t have much green space. Émilie‑Gamelin square is nearby and fairly big, although some would say unsavoury. Who’s to say the library green space would not be equally unsavoury?
Major Annoyance 01:03 on 2025-03-07 Permalink
Why not put the new substation underground, with mondo foundations, a ginormo service elevator, vent shafts galore and columns-enough to support a range of possible future above-ground development? It’s not like 3D-building is a new Montreal city-centre concept. See the Central Station / PVM superblocks for classic examples.
Kate 11:30 on 2025-03-07 Permalink
I don’t think putting this thing underground is viable. There’s already too much going on underground in that area. The Central Station/PVM dig happened before the metro existed, for example.
saintlaurent 13:04 on 2025-03-07 Permalink
Residents: We want a socially acceptable, aesthetically pleasing (or at least unobtrusive), functional piece of infrastructure that doesn’t inconvenience anyone with noise, dust, road closures or any other disruptions during its construction and doesn’t displace any existing public infrastructure that we value. Just build it underground, or something!
Hydro-Quebec: We suppose that could be done, but boy, it would be awfully expensive.
Residents: Are you kidding?!? No way are we letting you build some electric Taj Mahal that will increase our hydro rates!
One wonders if the prospect, in the medium-term, of living with brownouts has a significant degree of social acceptance in that part of downtown.
Major Annoyance 13:27 on 2025-03-07 Permalink
I dunno about that, Kate. For sure there’s infrastructure galore beneath the surrounding streets and sidewalks. Why would anything major need to cross that vacant lot apart from the utilities associated with the metro power sub-station & ventilation station (thoughtfully placed adjacent to Ontario Street)? I’d wager it’s just a lot of rock down there beneath the confines of that lot.
Ian 17:52 on 2025-03-07 Permalink
@saintlaurent
“Pour continuer d’alimenter le centre-ville en électricité, un nouveau poste à 315 kV devra être construit dans un rayon de 500 mètres, explique la société d’État, sans quoi celle-ci pourrait se retrouver incapable de répondre à la demande dans un avenir rapproché.”
You’re making “pourrait” do a lot of heavy lifting there.
saintlaurent 09:53 on 2025-03-08 Permalink
@Ian Alors, ne le construisez pas et on voit ce qui se passera dans cinq ans? C’est une stratégie audacieuse.
Ian 16:44 on 2025-03-08 Permalink
@saintlaurent
Bien, si c’est nécessaire, c’est nécessaire – mais pourrait est pourrait.
faiz imam 01:27 on 2025-03-09 Permalink
Remember that a key objective of society for the next few years is reducing fossil fuels. That means stopping natural gas heating and gas vehicles.
If we want to heat the buildings of the city with electricity (plus install more EV chargers), we need more infrastructure.
Social acceptability or not, this project is not optional.
MarcG 08:27 on 2025-03-09 Permalink
It would be great if this was taken as an oppourtunity to totally rethink that hostile-to-humans corner and make a statement. The idea of putting the station in the street is brilliant because it’s typically space we consider untouchable.