Hydro-Québec’s board of directors has officially appointed Claudine Bouchard as the company’s new President and CEO. She assumed her role on Saturday, July 5.
Bouchard has been with Hydro-Québec for over 25 years and most recently served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating and Infrastructure Officer. She has held senior leadership roles for the past five years and is credited as one of the main architects of the utility’s 2035 Action Plan.
“This appointment is the result of a rigorous recruitment process,” said Manon Brouillette, Chair of the Board of Directors. “Very early on, it became clear that Ms. Bouchard was the ideal person to guide us in this new chapter.”
As COO, Bouchard oversaw $100 billion in assets, including 88 hydroelectric power plants and 264,000 kilometers of transmission lines. She led several modernisation efforts and was instrumental in improving service reliability, cutting outages by 50% by 2024.
Premier François Legault emphasized the importance of strong leadership as the utility advances its $200 billion plan. “Claudine Bouchard knows the Crown corporation very well. She has demonstrated that she knows how to get things done, bring teams together, and lead concrete transformations,” he said. “I am convinced that she has everything it takes to lead Hydro-Québec in this new phase of its development.”
Bouchard’s appointment comes at a time of significant energy transformation for Quebec. The company is engaged in major infrastructure projects and finalizing a historic energy agreement with Newfoundland and Labrador.
“We are delighted that Claudine Bouchard has accepted the presidency of Hydro-Québec at a pivotal moment in our history,” Brouillette said. “She masters the technical complexity of operations and embodies the social mission of our great public institution.”
Minister of Economy, Innovation and Energy Christine Fréchette also praised Bouchard’s experience. “Few people know Hydro-Québec as well as its new CEO,” she said. “Together, we will continue implementing our ambitious action plan, which will lead Hydro-Québec to spearhead the energy transition, enhance and diversify energy production, and generate significant economic benefits for Quebec.”
In a statement, Bouchard said she is ready to take on the challenge. “It is a great privilege to lead this company that has so profoundly marked the history of Quebec and that plays a vital role in its development for decades to come,” she said. “With our teams, I will work enthusiastically to implement our plan, for the benefit of our customers and all Quebecers.”
