EDF EN Canada Inc., a subsidiary of EDF Energies Nouvelles and Enbridge Inc., along with over 150 attendees, dedicated the 150 megawatt (MW) Massif du Sud Wind Project on June 20th, 2013.
Located in the municipalities of Saint-Luc-de-Bellechasse and Saint-Magloire in the MRC des Etchemins and in the municipalities of Notre-Dame-Auxiliatrice-de-Buckland and Saint-Philémon in the MRC de Bellechasse,Massif du Sud generates enough clean electricity to meet the needs of about 35,000 Quebec homes.
With an investment of close to $340 million, the project created more than 250 jobs during the peak construction phase, and around ten permanent operation and maintenance jobs.
“From the early stages of development, thru implementation to commissioning, the teams successfully overcame complex challenges in record time and above all putting safety as a first priority,” said Benoit Rigal, Vice President of Engineering and Construction, EDF EN Canada. “Developing Massif du Sud in harmony with the regional park requirements, managing transportation of turbine components and constructing in less than 14 months-throughout winter, hunting and nesting seasons-is indeed an accomplishment to be recognized and celebrated. This valuable project is another step forward to advance the growth of EDF EN in Québec and Canada.”
Alex Couture, Project Development Director for EDF EN Canada further added, “Throughout the 20-year contract with Hydro-Quebec, the municipalities concerned by these projects will receive a combined annual contribution of over $300,000. The Corporation d’aménagement du parc régional du Massif du Sud will also receive an annual contribution of about $75,000.”
One of seven wind energy projects awarded to EDF EN Canada through Hydro-Quebec call for tenders, Massif du Sud consists of 75 wind turbines supplied by REpower, with a portion of the equipment procured from the designated region of Gaspésie-Bas-Saint-Laurent.
Construction of Massif du Sud commenced in November 2011 and reached commercial operation on January 18, 2013. In total, EDF EN Canada will develop and build 1,003.2 MW in the province over the next three years. This project represents one of two Quebec wind projects jointly owned by EDF EN Canada and Enbridge.
Massif du Sud further helps Enbridge meet its Neutral Footprint commitment to generate a kilowatt of renewable energy for every additional kilowatt of conventional power that the company’s operations consume.