Boralex Inc. (Boralex) is repowering its Buckingham power station in Quebec by replacing and upgrading the existing equipment.

The power station’s installed capacity has now been increased from 10 MW to 20 MW, increasing the station’s worldwide installed capacity to 2,013 MW. The power station will generate an average of 50 per cent more energy due to the more efficient use of hydropower following the capacity increase.

Located in the Outaouais region of Quebec, the power station was built in 1913 and initially upgraded by Boralex in 1994. The facility’s first 25-year power purchase agreement with Hydro-Quebec spanned from 1994 to 2019, and has been renewed until 2038.

Work at the site began in June 2018, most of which was done by the Kiewit construction company with assistance from several subcontractors, and continued until the commissioning. Four of the station’s five turbines were replaced by Litostroj bulb turbine-generators, while the fifth was deemed adequate for the station’s needs and was kept in commission. Work was completed on time.

Replacement of the four turbines resulted in the power station doubling its installed capacity, which will add approximately $5 million to Boralex’s annual earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization.