Saint-Laurent Energies to build and operae the Lac-Alfred wind farm in Quebec

(24/08/2010)

Saint-Laurent Énergies is owned by two long-standing companies in the renewable energy industry: EDF Énergies Nouvelles and RES Canada Inc. In May 2008, the two companies were selected by Hydro-Québec to develop five wind farms totaling 954 MW of capacity. Saint-Laurent Énergies was created shortly afterwards to develop, supervise construction and the operation of the wind farms.

Saint-Laurent Énergies has now obtained an Order in Council from the Government of Quebec for the construction and operation of the Lac-Alfred wind farm. The energy generated from the wind farm will power 70,000 Quebec homes.

The Order in Council authorizes, on the Lac-Alfred site, a wind farm up to a nominal capacity of 300 MW, using 150 REpower wind turbines rated at 2 MW each. The wind farm project is situated on the territory of the municipality of La Redemption and the TNO of Lac-à-la-Croix in the MRC de La Mitis, as well as on the territory of the municipalities of Saint-Cléophas, Sainte-Irène and Saint-Zénon-du-Lac-Humqui and the TNO of Lac-Alfred in the MRC de La Matapédia.

"For several years, we have been working in close conjunction with the communities of La Matapédia and La Mitis in the development of a project that respects their concerns and the environment, in addition to being beneficial for the local economy. The Lac-Alfred wind farm is the first of five projects for our firm that has obtained an Order in Council. We welcome this wonderful news with enthusiasm and pride," said Saint-Laurent Énergies CEO, Mr. Stéphane Boyer.

Realisation of the Saint-Laurent Énergies wind farms will contribute to the development and growth of the wind industry in the Gaspésie administrative region and the MRC de Matane. Turbine manufacturer REpower has been selected to provide turbine components for the Lac-Alfred farm and for the other Saint-Laurent Énergies wind farms from regional businesses. It is expected that LM Wind Power manufactures blades in Gaspé, the Marmen plant in Matane the towers, and SEG-Woodward the electrical converters in New Richmond.

Subject to obtaining authorization certificates and permits required for this type of activity as well as long-term funding and all internal approvals, the first phase of construction could be completed in 2012.

Related categories:  Wind power