Hydro-Québec calls for tenders: Eastern Quebec wins five projects
In addition to those submitted by the Eastern Energy Alliance, two other projects will see the light of day in Eastern Quebec. (File photo)
Hydro-Québec finally announced, on Wednesday morning, the winners of the calls for tenders for 300 megawatts (MW) of wind energy and 480 MW of renewable energy launched in 2021. In total, five of the seven selected projects, which rely exclusively on wind energy, will see the light of day in Eastern Quebec.
Among these five projects, three are overseen by the Eastern Energy Alliance, which had submitted a total of seven proposals.
The Madawaska (270 MW), Forêt-Domaniale (180 MW) and Pohénégamook–Picard–Saint-Antonin (349.80 MW) wind farms will officially open in Bas-Saint-Laurent and Chaudière-Appalaches. They total approximately 800 MW of wind energy.
Michel Lagacé, also prefect of the MRC of Rivière-du-Loup, was very satisfied on Wednesday. (File photo)
The president of the Alliance de l'énergie de l'Est, Michel Lagacé, indicated in a press release that this announcement, eagerly awaited by regional elected officials and industry players, testifies in particular to the expertise and organizational leadership. For him, this is excellent news that exceeds the hopes expressed by his organization.
“We are in the quasi-jovialism in terms of perspectives. We wanted to win a significant number of megawatts, but to have so many megawatts won, it goes beyond what we could have wished for. »
— Michel Lagacé, President of the Eastern Energy Alliance
Simon Deschênes, President of the Gaspésie-Îles Intermunicipal Energy Board de-la-Madeleine and vice-president of the Eastern Energy Alliance, was also all smiles on Wednesday.
“This is crazy! We are happy, proud. We were optimistic, but not at that height. Eight hundred megawatts which is added to the existing 300 megawatts in our energy portfolio! It's really major as an announcement this morning. »
— Simon Deschênes, Vice-President of the Eastern Energy Alliance
Simon Deschênes, also mayor of Sainte-Anne-des-Monts, photographed in front of the Cap-Chat wind farm. (File photo)
For the Alliance, the Madawaska wind project also signifies a first collaboration with Hydro-Québec.
The Eastern Alliance brings together 209 communities and territories, including 16 MRCs on the territory between the MRC of Montmagny and the Magdalen Islands as well as the Wolastoqiyik Wahsipekuk First Nation.
For his part, the prefect of the MRC de Témiscouata Serge Pelletier salutes the decision of Hydro-Québec, which has chosen his region twice rather than once for wind development projects, that is to say Madawaska and Pohénégamook-Picard-Saint-Antonin.
Together, these projects will produce 620 megawatts of renewable energy. Thus, the royalties that will come with the construction and operation of these parks will be beneficial for Témiscouata and for all the other members of the Eastern Alliance, rejoices Serge Pelletier.
< p class="e-p">A lot of our revenue comes from taxation, while wind farms are more of an own-source revenue, which will allow us to move forward with development projects for our local communities, explains the 'elected.
“However, we must ensure that these projects are carried out with respect for both the environment and our citizens. I believe that they will succeed in seeking social acceptability because they were produced in collaboration with the MRCs, municipalities and local populations. »
— Serge Pelletier, prefect of the MRC de Témiscouata
Témiscouata already has two wind farms on its territory that generate a total of 75 megawatts of electricity.< /p>
Serge Pelletier, the prefect of the MRC de Témiscouata, believes that these two new wind farms will bring great benefits for the community. (File photo)
In addition to the selected Alliance projects, the Mesgi'g Ugju's'n 2 wind farm project, submitted by Innergex Renewable Energy in collaboration with the First Nations of Gesgapegiag, Gespeg and Listuguj , will also see the light of day. The capacity of this wind farm, which will be built in the MRC Avignon, in Gaspésie, is established at 102 MW.
This project is an extension of the existing wind farm of 150 MW commissioned in 2016 thanks to the collaboration of the same partners.
Innergex's President and CEO, Michel Letellier, explains in a press release that this project is a good example of responsible growth.
“The partnership will lead to direct social and economic benefits for the region, a point which received very positive feedback during the meetings of x27;public information sessions held last year. »
— Michel Letellier, President and CEO of Innergex
The manager adds that this project aims to maximize the use of existing roads, facilities and interconnections of Mesgi'g Ugju's'n. Minimized environmental impact is expected, he adds.
The Saint-Damase II wind farm, submitted by Algonquin Power Trust, will see the light of day with the collaboration with the Municipality of Saint-Damase, in Bas-Saint-Laurent. Its power will be 122.32 MW.
The Saint-Damase project could, however, be taken over by the MRC de la Matapédia and by the Energy Alliance from the East.
Here are the locations of the five projects selected by Hydro-Québec that will materialize in the 'Est-du-Québec.
In a press release, Hydro-Québec confirms that deliveries of these new wind farms should begin no later than December 1, 2026.
< p class="e-p">Five bids were selected in the call for tenders for the acquisition of 480 MW of power from renewable sources, while the other two stem from of the call for tenders for the acquisition of 300 MW of electricity from wind sources.
With information from Marguerite Morin and de Patrick Bergeron
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