Hydro-Québec wants to accelerate the evaluation of Québec’s hydroelectric potential in order to meet the growing demand for electricity expected over the next few years. She is currently studying the potential of the Petit Mécatina River, located on the North Shore. The Minister of Economy and Energy Pierre Fitzgibbon expects to obtain the results of the preliminary study within about a year.
“A summary analysis is underway with respect to a few sectors. This first stage of the evaluation will be completed shortly for the Petit Mécatina River, on the North Shore,” reads a press release released Tuesday afternoon. This river empties into the Gulf of St. Lawrence, near Chevery, on the Lower North Shore.
In its 2009-2013 strategic plan, Hydro-Québec had already identified the “Petit-Mécatina complex” in its “project portfolio”, including the Magpie River. It was then a question of a 1200 MW project whose commissioning was planned “post-2015”.
With such power and a planned energy production of 5.5 terawatt hours, it would be possible to power approximately 250,000 homes annually. But to build two power stations, as has already been mentioned, it would potentially be necessary to flood 228 km2, or the equivalent of half the area of the island of Montreal.
“The next step will lead us to engage in dialogue with local communities and, over the coming months, to carry out reconnaissance visits to this sector,” explains Hydro-Québec in its press release.
To do this, the producer intends to involve the indigenous communities and the local communities concerned in discussions of “top secret level of confidentiality”. No power plant project has been confirmed to date. “The fact that we are conducting preliminary studies does not automatically mean that a project will be developed,” specifies the state corporation.
This announcement comes as Hydro-Québec must increase its production capacity. In its 2022-2026 Strategic Plan, published last year, the Crown corporation argued that it needed to add more than 100 terawatt hours (TWh) to its current production for Quebec to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.
Hydro-Québec also states that the Grande rivière de la Baleine, the Nottaway River and the Magpie River are not currently covered by preliminary studies. Innus and elected officials from the North Shore have promised to block any project to build a new dam on the Magpie.
The CAQ applauds
If the conclusions of the analyzes in progress are positive, the project could be carried out in “a dozen years”, estimated Tuesday Minister Fitzgibbon. “Hydro-Québec is going to do in-depth studies,” he said at a press briefing. It is too early to conclude. But they considered [à Hydro-Québec] that it is a book that could make sense. »
Premier François Legault was pleased to see Hydro-Québec go ahead with the preliminary study. During the election campaign, he announced his intention to relaunch the construction of dams. “That’s exactly what we want,” he said.
Nothing is decided, but Mr. Fitzgibbon and his counterpart at Aboriginal Affairs, Ian Lafrenière, met with the Innu leaders to discuss the project on the Petit Mécatina River. “We speak with everyone but I will not tell you which community tells us what, it would be a breach of trust,” explained Mr. Lafrenière.
Holder of the Chair of Management of the Energy Sector at HEC Montreal, Pierre-Olivier Pineau affirms for his part that the revival of hydroelectric projects is not mandatory. “The potential for reduced consumption and increased consumption flexibility, particularly in buildings and in vehicle charging, could make it possible to avoid these projects – and to bet on wind, solar and geothermal energy to fill the gap. additional needs while managing the intermittency of wind and solar production,” he explains.
Mr. Pineau also believes that the study of the potential of the Petit-Mécatina River can be “instructive”, but “like the studies for the third link, I do not believe that these studies will lead to the realization of the project”.
The Rivières Foundation considers that the very idea of “artificializing” another large river in Quebec and “flooding a vast territory” is distressing. “We understand that it is the will of the Legault government to want to build new dams, but the project does not make sense. We are talking about a river located in a very remote territory. The costs would be very high,” said the organization’s executive director, André Bélanger.
The next person who will lead the crown corporation will have to manage the file. CEO Sophie Brochu will step down next week. Mr Fitzgibbon says it is unlikely that a permanent successor will be named upon his departure. “Ms. Brochu is leaving on the 11th, it’s soon. It is very likely that there will be an interim. »