What happened: Hydro-Québec launched a call for up to 3 GW of new wind capacity, the first phase of a strategy to build 10 GW of new clean electricity.

The details: The tender targets 12 zones around the St. Lawrence, with projects coming online between 2031-2038.

The utility requires community consultation as a hard condition and will prioritize projects with First Nations partnerships. Projects that use local content and workforce will also get a boost.

The big picture: It's a big pivot for Hydro-Québec, which has relied heavily on hydropower to deliver clean, low-cost electricity.

But new hydro projects have long lead times and are becoming increasingly vulnerable to drought - a scenario that led the utility to suspend energy exports to Massachusetts earlier this year.

Meanwhile, nearly 50% of total energy consumed in Quebec still comes from fossil fuels imported from outside the province. Diversifying the electricity supply is a hedge against climate change-induced drought and volatile energy markets.

Why it matters: A sustained, multi-round procurement with local content requirements has the makings of a domestic wind supply chain. That includes blade and tower makers (Quebec is home to just one of each), but also circularity and recycling, siting intelligence, and more.

It also sends a signal to investors that this isn't a one-off procurement, but a long-term industrial strategy that can sustain long-term investments.

What's next: First-round bids are due early next year. That’s ten months to build community partnerships and local supply chains. Two more procurement rounds follow, making this the beginning of a decade-long build.