2020oilgamble wrote: During the question period of the last AGM, Bernard mentioned an announcement with Hydro Quebec that should have been made a few weeks earlier, but which was delayed because of COVID. In the video Patrick start asking the question to Bernard at one minute twenty seconds, what really caught my attention was that part.
Patrick reading the question; “......... For example, are we planing to work with Hydro-Quebec"
Bernard answers; "We will. I can't really discuss the specificity".
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TlkcRcyedBs&feature=youtu.be
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In early February, Hydro Quebec announced it would develop batteries with Mercedes-Benz.
https://www.journaldemontreal.com/2020/02/04/hydro-quebec-va-developper-des-batteries-avec-mercedes-benz
But actually the next article below specify that “the agreement reached by Hydro-Quebec is indeed with Daimler and not only with the Mercedes-Benz brand.”
https://www.transportroutier.ca/nouvelles/hydro-quebec-et-daimler-collaborent-a-de-super-batteries-de-vehicules-electriques/
In April of last year, it was announced that Daimler purchased a minority stake in Sila Nanotechnologies.
https://insideevs.com/news/345820/sila-nanotechnologies-raises-170-million-with-daimler-among-investors/
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On October 15, Le Journal de Montreal published that the Quebec government was in discussions with Tesla for the construction of a battery plant and that Investissement Quebec was preparing to invest millions of dollars in the lithium-ion sector.
https://www.journaldemontreal.com/2019/10/15/quebec-en-discussions-avec-tesla-pour-un-projet-ici
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The following article was published on June 18, it is an interview of Guy LeBlanc, for his first year completed at the helm of Investissement Quebec. They are talking about the impact Covid had on investments.
Here is a part of his answer I find very interesting:
“While he notes that there are still sectors affected by the pandemic such as retail, aeronautics or tourism, he observes a definite recovery in activities for other sectors, notably electric batteries, which could generate investments of 4 to 6 billion from foreign companies in the coming months.”
https://www.lapresse.ca/affaires/economie/2020-06-18/guy-leblanc-la-filiere-des-batteries-electriques-pour-alimenter-la-reprise
This morning, Le Devoir is publishing an article that says;
The project of developing a lithium industry in Quebec will require around 7 billion in total, estimates the Minister of the Economy, Pierre Fitzgibbon, according to which the government, which is looking for investors and would be willing to invest itself, will benefit from a possible court decision on the fate of Nemaska Lithium to present its vision for the future.
The Legault government has long promoted the idea that Quebec, thanks to the presence of "critical" minerals, is well placed to develop an entire value chain, from ore extraction to the manufacture of batteries, obviously intended for the transport sector, which is expected to be increasingly electrified around the world….
….“A court judge looks at different offers. I don't know what these offers are, "Minister Fitzgibbon said, referring to a possible court ruling" probably within 48 hours. "....
....Another potential sector, that of hydrogen, is getting a good deal of Investissement Quebec's attention, the CEO said during his testimony. of this government financial arm, Guy LeBlanc. “We're definitely interested in participating, if it's green hydrogen. We are very open to getting involved....
https://www.ledevoir.com/economie/584557/electrification-des-transports-quel-avenir-pour-une-filiere-du-lithium-au-quebec
Salient points;
-HPQ is awating a green light to make an announcement related to Hydro-Quebec.
-HPQ will work with Hydro-Quebec.
-Hydro-Quebec will work with Daimler who has ties with Sila Nanotechnologies.
-The Quebec government wants to develop an entire value chain, from ore extraction to the manufacture of batteries.
-The Quebec government had talks with Tesla about building a battery factory in Quebec.
-The Quebec government is expecting foreign investments between 4 to 6 billion in the coming months (June 18) or around 7 billion in total (August 21).
-Minister Fitzgibbon awaits the court decision regarding the Nemaska Lithium case, to present his vision for the future. The court ruling is expected within 48 hours.
-Investissement Quebec is also interested in participating in the development of a green hydrogen sector.
-HPQ’s silicon could be used in battery anodes, and also for the production of hydrogen.
-Apollo Solar, HPQ’s partner has the technology to produce hydrogen.