In the bustling heart of downtown Montréal, just off Boulevard René-Lévesque, lies the Hydro-Québec headquarters. Here, in a sky-high office, BSE alumnus Joël Thibert now oversees energy and strategic plans as the Vice President of Energy Planning and Strategy at Hydro- Québec.
“I’ve landed the dream job,” said Thibert.
Thibert accepted this pivotal role in June, reflecting fondly on his undergraduate studies. “The school’s foundational courses connected many of the concepts of climate change, social, environmental, and political factors that shape the environment in which we live. These concepts were key to inspiring my worldview.”
Thibert’s role involves implementing strategic energy consumption plans, emphasizing the need for community involvement in developing new energy production facilities. “In the past, we just usually came in and did things. Now we must really rethink how we develop, whether it’s wind or solar,” he said.
Highlighting the rapid changes in the world, Thibert points to artificial intelligence as a significant, unforeseen driver of electricity demand.
“North American energy consumption is increasing as we thought, just not how we thought,” he said.
“We cannot afford to wait.”
Thibert believes that appealing to people’s hearts rather than their heads will drive change and sustainable progress. He views environmental issues as societal questions requiring bottom-up collaboration and more importantly action. “We need people to become more aware of the collective impacts of their choices, for example, driving a car versus taking transit,” he said.
Reflecting on his education, Thibert credits his theoretical and practical experiences, such as a field study trip to Panama, with shaping his career. Now, at Hydro-Québec, he is committed to defending the interests of current and future generations.
“I am very thankful for the individuals who saw the need for a school of environment at McGill. It put me on the path I find myself on today. It has changed many people’s lives, including my own,” Thibert said.