The Eastern Energy Alliance and Hydro-Québec have entered into a partnership agreement for the development of wind power in the Wocawson area, southwest of the Bas-Saint-Laurent region.
The 700 square-kilometer area can accommodate 1,000 MW of capacity, says the company, and is located on public lands in the Kamouraska RCM, in the Petit-Lac-Sainte-Anne unorganized territory (TNO), the Picard TNO and the municipality of Mont-Carmel, as well as in the Témiscouata RCM, in the municipality of Saint-Athanase.
This partnership is part of Hydro-Québec’s Wind Development Strategy, announced in May, under which First Nations and municipal partners participate from the outset in the development of projects as partners and shareholders. The interests are thus divided equally between community partners and Hydro-Québec.
The Eastern Energy Alliance represents 209 communities stretching from the Montmagny RCM to the Magdalen Islands, bringing together 16 RCMs and the Wolastoqiyik Wahsipekuk First Nation.
Planning for potential parks will be done jointly by the Eastern Energy Alliance and Hydro-Québec.
With a view to social acceptability and integration of wind farms in the territory, the partners expect to agree together on the next steps, including pre-consultations of the host environment and field analyses in order to refine their knowledge of the Wocawson area.
“The Eastern Energy Alliance is delighted with this new strategic collaboration with Hydro-Québec.” says Michel Lagacé, president of the Eastern Energy Alliance.
“We are proud to be able to continue contributing to the development of the wind industry in Québec, while being a partner of choice for the realization of large-scale projects like this one. With its 209 member municipalities and the Wolastoqiyik Wahsipekuk First Nation, the Alliance wishes to develop a zone that will not only contribute to Québec’s energy transition, but also generate local economic benefits. Collaboration with community partners is essential to the success of the project.”