Hydro-Québec turns to steel suppliers for transmission towers


CSA Z462 Arc Flash Training – Electrical Safety Compliance Course

Our customized live online or in‑person group training can be delivered to your staff at your location.

  • Live Online
  • 6 hours Instructor-led
  • Group Training Available
Regular Price:
$249
Coupon Price:
$199
Reserve Your Seat Today

Hydro-Québec steel tower tender invites international and local suppliers to bid for 5,000 tonnes, leveraging market benchmarking, competitive pricing, RFP prequalification, and global procurement to cut costs and benefit Québec customers.

 

What This Means

An open RFP inviting global and Québec suppliers for 5,000 tonnes of steel towers to secure lower, benchmarked prices.

  • Market benchmarking shows 40% lower steel tower costs abroad
  • RFP seeks 5,000 tonnes; seven new international suppliers prequalified
  • Local Québec firms can win volume if bids remain competitive
  • Competitive sourcing aimed at customer savings and grid projects

 

Montreal, Québec -- In the coming years, Hydro-Québec’s needs for steel towers will rise to double its regular average annual purchases. This temporary increase can be attributed to a number of major electricity transmission projects in Québec.

 

Market benchmarking carried out by Hydro-Québec shows that the cost of steel towers is approximately 40 percent lower on the international market. Hydro-Québec therefore decided to invite international suppliers, as well as local suppliers, to respond to a request for proposals to supply 5,000 tonnes of steel for towers used in projects such as the Ontario/Michigan interconnection across provincial borders.

Following a call for expressions of interest at the end of 2014, Hydro-Québec prequalified seven new international suppliers in this field, as utilities pursue upgrades like a new transformer station in Ontario. The addition of these new players will allow Hydro-Québec to take advantage of competitive prices internationally when purchasing additional steel towers, even as an Ontario hydro project was recently halted for separate reasons, for the benefit of all Hydro-Québec customers. Hydro-Québec began this process many months ago and it has long been known by Québec suppliers.

In addition, Québec-based suppliers of steel towers, with whom Hydro-Québec has developed a long-standing business relationship, may see their volume increase by taking part in this international call for tenders, as activity linked to the Timmins infrastructure investment stimulates regional supply chains, if their bid is competitive.

Hydro-Québec is a driving force in economic development and, amid industrial projects such as AREVA powering ALCAN's plant in Canada, has long favored suppliers from Québec. In 2014, goods and services purchased from Québec companies totalled $3,112 million. The number of jobs in Québec supported by our overall procurement of goods and services is estimated at 17,700, including 12,300 direct jobs.

 

Related News

Related News

Tories 'taking the heart out of Manitoba Hydro' by promoting subsidiaries, scrapping low-cost pledges: NDP

Manitoba Hydro Privatization Debate centers on subsidiaries, Crown corporation governance, clean energy priorities, and electricity…
View more

International Atomic Energy Agency agency commends China's nuclear security

IAEA Nuclear Security Mission in China reviews regulatory frameworks, physical protection, and compliance at nuclear…
View more

California proposes income-based fixed electricity charges

Income Graduated Fixed Charge aligns CPUC billing with utility fixed costs, lowers usage rates, supports…
View more

Huge offshore wind turbine that can power 18,000 homes

Siemens Gamesa SG 14-222 DD advances offshore wind with a 14 MW direct-drive turbine, 108…
View more

Research shows that Ontario electricity customers want more choice and flexibility

Hydro One Account Customization lets Ontario customers pick billing due dates, enable balanced billing, get…
View more

Opinion: With deregulated electricity, no need to subsidize nuclear power

Pennsylvania Electricity Market Deregulation has driven competitive pricing, leveraged low-cost natural gas, and spurred private…
View more

Sign Up for Electricity Forum’s Newsletter

Stay informed with our FREE Newsletter — get the latest news, breakthrough technologies, and expert insights, delivered straight to your inbox.

Electricity Today T&D Magazine Subscribe for FREE

Stay informed with the latest T&D policies and technologies.
  • Timely insights from industry experts
  • Practical solutions T&D engineers
  • Free access to every issue

Download the 2026 Electrical Training Catalog

Explore 50+ live, expert-led electrical training courses –

  • Interactive
  • Flexible
  • CEU-cerified