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Hydro-Quebec enters power supply contract with Grosse-Ile wind farm proponents

April 24, 2023 – Hydro-Quebec has signed a power supply contract with Alliance de l’énergie de l’Est and Valeco Énergie Québec—the proponents of Grosse-Ile wind farm (Parc éolien de Grosse-Île s.e.c.).

The project includes four 4.2-MW wind turbines (installed capacity of 16.8 MW) and the addition to Iles-de-la-Madeleine generating station of a 10-MW/10-MWh energy storage system “to optimize the integration of the new generating capacity”.

However, the project is not yet a done deal. Its development is contingent on receiving the necessary government, environmental and regulatory approvals.

Furthermore, the Régie de l’énergie issued a decision calling for additional studies to be carried out “on the various scenarios considered for the energy transition in Iles-de-la-Madeleine”.

As such, Hydro-Quebec says it will “develop other scenarios in close collaboration with the community”.

“Hydro-Quebec remains determined to decarbonize Iles-de-la-Madeleine and the company’s off-grid systems,” said Régis Tellier, vice-president, Operations and Maintenance, Hydro-Quebec. “We want to implement solutions that are based on energy efficiency and renewable energy, and thereby contribute to the energy transition.”

Grosse-Ile wind farm will save close to 11 million litres of fuel oil annually, says Hydro-Quebec. This is in addition to the 7 million litres saved by Dune-du-Nord wind farm inaugurated in September 2021, says the utility, adding that the two wind farms combined will yield a total reduction in fuel oil burned of around 40% compared to 2019.

Regarding the project to connect the islands by underwater cable to the grid, Hydro-Quebec says approval times and global supply shortages mean that critical equipment is either unavailable or extremely expensive. The utility has suspended this project indefinitely.