Boralex Inc, Gaz Métro Limited Partnership and Valener Inc. are pleased to officially inaugurate Phase I of the Seigneurie de Beaupré wind farms, a 272 MW project, one of the largest wind power projects in Canada, commissioned in December 2013 after three years of construction.
A ceremony was held to mark this important milestone, at the foot of one of the site's tallest wind turbines, in the presence of Caroline Simard, Member of Parliament for Charlevoix-Côte-de-Beaupré, who was present on behalf of Pierre Arcand, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources and Minister responsible for the Northern Plan, Ms. Sophie Brochu, President and CEO of Gaz Métro, Mr. Patrick Lemaire, President and CEO of Boralex, and Mr. Jacques Roberge, Superior General of the Séminaire de Québec, as well as numerous elected officials, entrepreneurs from the region and special guests.
"We are very proud to mark the start of operations of Phase I of the Seigneurie de Beaupré wind farms, particularly because of the significant economic benefits generated by this project. Our 100% Québec consortium has invested more than $750 million in this project and more than $360 million has been invested in Québec by other local companies. The success of this project can be measured not only by the logistical efforts deployed, but above all, by the exceptional collaboration of all the stakeholders involved," said Sophie Brochu and Patrick Lemaire.
"I would like to congratulate the promoters of this project, which was developed with respect for the environment and is also a promising project for the Côte-de-Beaupré region. The two wind farms alone will be able to provide clean energy equivalent to the annual supply of 50,000 homes. This is green and renewable energy for decades to come," said Caroline Simard.
Since their commissioning at the end of last year, the 126 turbines of Phase I, with a total installed capacity of 272 MW, will supply Quebec's electrical grid with renewable energy for the next 20 years.
Highlights of the 272 MW Phase I of the Seigneurie de Beaupré Wind Farms :
The equivalent of 50,000 Quebec homes will be supplied with electricity;
More than 1.5 million hours of work were required to build the 126 turbines;
Investments of $750 million, including $360 million in Québec, $205 million in the Capitale-Nationale region and $28 million in the Côte-de-Beaupré region;
More than 30 local companies in the Côte-de-Beaupré region participated in the construction of the 272 MW Phase I;
More than 140 kilometers of access roads were built to access the 126 wind turbines
The wind turbine foundations required 60,000 tons of concrete and 43 cranes to erect;
The burial of a 180-kilometre collector network to bring the electricity to the single 315-kV substation.
The 68 MW of Phase II is expected to be commissioned in December 2014, with the 25 MW of the community project to be added in late 2015. This will create one of the largest wind farms in Canada.
For more information, please visit the Seigneurie de Beaupré Wind Farm website at www.seigneuriedebeaupre.com.