Dear Members,

The Réseau des ingénieurs du Québec had a huge success at the World Energy Congress held in Montreal, on September 12-16, 2010. At this prestigious international event, we took part in the Economic approach and sustainable development in the energy sector panel to discuss the role of the engineer in Quebec’s energy issues.

Our province can become an important and ultracompetitive player in regard to energy choices, thanks to decisions that will optimize social and economic development and protect our environment. This large-scale event brought into focus five major energy challenges for the Quebec society and its engineers:

1.    Increase energy savings

2.    Optimize the transportation of people and goods

3.    Develop and maintain our energy infrastructures

4.    Innovate in terms of emerging and renewable energy sources

5.    Support the clean energy technological and industrial clusters with a high potential for development

In order to accelerate Québec’s efforts in this direction and increase the likelihood of the province achieving its energy saving targets, the RéseauIQ is suggesting the creation of a provincial energy efficiency fund. With adequate support, institutions, businesses and industries could invest more in order to take full advantage of their energy efficiency potential.

The RéseauIQ has looked into this self-financing fund in order to bring forward a concrete proposal, which was unveiled this morning at a press conference, and which you can read about by clicking the following link: https://www.reseauiq.qc.ca.

The RéseauIQ is hoping these discussions will continue in a constructive manner and revolve around a collective endeavour, in which engineers, who are at the heart of innovation, will have a fundamental role to play in facing our energy and sustainable development challenges!