QUEBEC NETWORK ON SMART ENERGY AND THE ENERGY SQUAD

September 26, 2025

Let’s prepare together for the end of the Infrastructure and Structuring agreements!

The agreements signed with the Ministère de l’Environnement, de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques, de la Faune et des Parcs (MELCCFP) will soon expire: the Infrastructure agreement will expire no later than March 31, 2026, while the Structuring agreement will expire on March 31, 2027.

It is therefore important for the beneficiaries of the agreements, and particularly those who have signed an agreement with the Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières (UQTR), to take note of the following constraints:

• No extensions will be granted, without exception or exemption;
• All eligible expenditures, along with their supporting documents, must have been paid in full before March 31, 2026 for the Infrastructure Agreement and March 31, 2027 for the Structuring Agreement;
• Any unused amounts beyond these two dates will be considered ineligible and cannot be carried forward or claimed.

Already having an impact on your institutions…

Since 2022, several institutions have been hosting 17 new pieces of laboratory equipment installed across Quebec. These facilities promote innovation, the training of highly qualified people and the achievement of significant scientific results.

A community of practice has been created to pool this equipment. By March 31, 2027, the RQEI and the Energy Squad are working to implement more than 100 shared uses of this equipment, accompanied by more than 35 sharing of highly qualified personnel.

Many of you have also participated in the 7 networking activities organized so far. Keep an eye out for invitations for the latest activities in the coming months.

You are also active in inter-level research, since 17 projects have been funded. This number is expected to increase as new calls for projects are currently open, particularly in connection with innovative social practices and the needs of the community. In terms of spin-offs, the RQEI and the Energy Squad encourage you to increase your academic and professional publications in your respective communities.

Coming up so far, your work has supported the training of 56 students specializing in the green hydrogen and bioenergy sectors. In addition to their scientific contribution, students interested in entrepreneurship can also get support.

In short, we thank you for responding positively to the opportunities offered to you. Your valuable contribution will position Québec at the forefront of inter-level and inter-institutional collaboration in the fields of green hydrogen and bioenergy.

These initiatives in the green hydrogen and bioenergy sector are made possible thanks to the financial support of the Government of Quebec and are in line with the objectives of the 2030 Plan for a Green Economy.