The zone could accommodate up to 3,000 megawatts of wind capacity and include several wind farms. Investments could total $9 billion.
One month after launching its wind-power development strategy, Hydro-Québec has announced a partnership with two Indigenous communities and a municipality to develop projects over a vast territory in Saguenay—Lac-St-Jean.
Hydro is joining forces with Pekuakamiulnuatsh First Nation, Atikamekw of Wemotaci and the MRC of Domaine-du-Roy to develop the 5,000-square-kilometre Chamouchouane zone, the state-owned company said Wednesday.
The zone could accommodate up to 3,000 megawatts of wind capacity and include several wind farms. Investments could total $9 billion. Equipment to collect data on wind quality will be installed in August.
The partnership, which was ratified in mid-June by a decree from the Quebec government, was presented as a “win-win” for all the signatories.
By becoming shareholders in the projects, the Indigenous communities and municipality will benefit from independent revenue. They will also be involved in development planning, according to a Hydro statement.
Hydro has decided to become the project manager rather than limiting itself to purchasing electricity once the wind turbines have been built by the private sector.
“This equal partnership embodies the vision that we presented in our wind development strategy,” Hydro CEO Michael Sabia said in a statement Wednesday. “With our local partners, we will begin a common and collaborative approach that will have repercussions for all of Quebec.”
The community consultation is due to begin next month. The development of the various projects and their implementation in the Chamouchouane zone will be done “in a progressive and coordinated manner with the evolution of the electricity transmission network,” the statement says.
Hydro-Québec wants to prioritize the development of initiatives that can reach a capacity beyond 1000 MW. It also seeks to better coordinate wind energy planning.