Hydro-Québec and L’Alliance de l’énergie de l’Est have announced plans for a new wind farm in the Lower St. Lawrence region, capable of generating up to 1,000 megawatts. This 50/50 partnership, representing a $3 billion investment, was signed on Wednesday and marks Hydro-Québec’s second major wind project since it became the main contractor for wind developments over 1,000 megawatts in May.

The wind farm, located in the “Wocawson zone,” will cover more than 700 square kilometers of public land, extending across parts of the Kamouraska municipal region and the unorganized territories of Petit-Lac-Sainte-Anne and Picard. It will also encompass the municipalities of Mont-Carmel and Saint-Athanase in the Témiscouata municipal region.

The Wolastoqiyik Wahsipekuk First Nation, a partner in the project, expressed enthusiasm for the initiative. Grand Chief Jacques Tremblay highlighted its potential for economic reconciliation, stating, “It’s an interesting development project for our nation, for our members, so this is good news.”

Hydro-Québec aims to foster collaboration with Indigenous communities, as outlined in its 2035 strategic plan. Vice-President for Wind Power Development, Mathieu Johnson, emphasized the company’s shift towards consulting communities before project development.

This new wind farm will contribute to Hydro-Québec's goal of adding 10,000 megawatts of wind energy to its network by 2035, representing 10% of that target. However, a timeline for completion has yet to be established. Additionally, Jean-François Thériault, General Manager of the energy alliance, noted that developing transmission infrastructure is essential and will be part of the project’s first phase.

Source: evwind.es