Construction of $125 million hydroelectric generating station in northern Quebec slated for 2020

MONTREAL—Partners of the Innavik project inked an agreement May 27 to build a $125 million hydroelectric generation station in one of Quebec’s northernmost, diesel-fueled communities.

Hydro-Québec, Pituvik Landholding Corporation and Innergex Renewable Energy Inc. say the 7.5-megawatt station on the Inukjuak River will bring renewable energy to residents of Inukjuak, Nunavik, an Inuit community situated on the north bank of the river.

Innergex will head up construction and operation of the run-of-river generator, with site preparation slated for the fourth quarter of 2019. Construction will begin in 2020, and the station is expected to be operational by late 2022.

“This will be the first generating station built for an off-grid system in a remote community to help their transition from diesel to hydroelectricity,” said Michel Letellier, president and CEO of Innergex.

Officials estimate the community of 480 homes could see 700,000 fewer tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions over the next 40 years and a considerable reduction in hydrocarbon consumption.

“Switching to hydropower will enable us to replace diesel and reduce greenhouse gas emissions for our basic electricity and heating needs, while saving on fuel costs,” said Eric Atagotaaluk, president of Pituvik.

The provincial government will support a program to convert fuel-fired water and space heating systems to electricity as part of the project.