Developing Québec’s hydropower potential

In addition to ensuring the province’s energy security, hydropower plays a key environmental role, both in Québec and throughout northeastern North America. It also provides a major source of export revenue for Hydro-Québec and facilitates the integration of wind power into the Québec power grid.

http://hydroforthefuture.com/docs/sizes/4c56ddefef4ec/type/developpement_projets.jpg

A weir raises the water level near Toulnustouc generating station, in the Côte-Nord region

Project portfolio

Hydroelectric generating stations under construction or planned

Hydro-Québec evaluates its projects on the basis of three criteria. They must be

  • profitable,
  • environmentally acceptable, and
  • favorably received by local communities.

Here is an overview of recent or current projects and descriptions of the two largest ones.



Eastmain-1-A/Sarcelle/Rupert Project

The Eastmain-1-A/Sarcelle/Rupert project is remarkable from both an economic and an environmental perspective. In addition to providing Hydro-Québec with new generating capacity, this valuable project will optimize the output of three existing generating stations in the La Grande complex. This optimal use of water is fully in keeping with the principles of sustainable development. In fact, the project is a model of environmental respect and integration into the host community.

  • Economic spinoffs: C$2.9 billion for Québec as a whole, including C$640 million for Nord-du-Québec.
  • Jobs created: annual average of 2,300 workers on the site.
  • Peak workforce : more than 2,371 workers in 2010.
  • Amount budgeted for environmental measures: around C$260 million.
  • Contracts reserved for the Cree nation (at the end of 2009): C$407 million.

For further information

EASTMAIN-1-A/SARCELLE/RUPERT: KEY FIGURES

INSTALLED CAPACITYMEAN ANNUAL OUTPUTCOMMISSIONING
Rupert diversion-5.3 TWh*November 2009
Eastmain-1-A768 MW2.3 TWhFall 2011
Sarcelle150 MW1.1 TWhSpring 2012
*Additional output from three generating stations in the La Grande complex: Robert-Bourassa, La Grande-2-A and La Grande-1.

Romaine complex

Construction of the Romaine complex (in the Côte-Nord region) got under way in May 2009 and will continue until 2020. Considered the project of the decade in Québec and the largest infrastructure project in Canada at the present time, the complex will consist of four generating stations with a total average annual output of 8 TWh and an installed capacity of 1,550 MW. A permanent 150-km road will link the facilities to highway 138.

  • Economic spinoffs: C$3.5 billion for Québec as a whole, including C$1.3 billion for the Côte-Nord region.
  • Jobs created: annual average of 975 workers on the site for 11 years, with 60% of the workforce coming from the region.
  • Peak workforce: more than 2,000 workers between 2013 and 2016, most of them from the region.
  • Amount budgeted for studies, follow-up and environmental measures: nearly C$320 million over a 30-year period.
  • Partnering arrangements with local communities: C$233 million until 2070.

For further information (French only)

ROMAINE COMPLEX: KEY FIGURES

INSTALLED CAPACITYMEAN ANNUAL OUTPUTCOMMISSIONING
Romaine-1270 MW1.4 TWh2016
Romaine-2640 MW3.3 TWh2014
Romaine-3395 MW2.0 TWh2017
Romaine-4245 MW1.3 TWh2020
This project [1200-MW DC line between Québec and New Hampshire planned by Northeast Utilities, NSTAR and H.Q. Energy Services (U.S.)] provides access to clean, low-cost energy for consumers in a region [New England] of the country that has tight constraints on electricity supplies. In addition, the project promotes competition in the region by facilitating the transmission of Canadian hydro power to markets in the United States, enhancing the region’s fuel diversity.    
FERC Chairman Jon Wellinghoff, in FERC Docket No. EL09-20-000, May 21, 2009