EDF EN Canada Inc., a subsidiary of EDF Energies Nouvelles Group and Énergie du Granit, celebrated the completion of the Le Granit Wind Project which is located on the lands of the municipality of Saint-Robert-Bellarmin, in the RCM (Regional County Municipality) of Le Granit, administrative region of Estrie. The project exemplifies the importance of collaboration and support of local communities in the successful development and implementation of wind energy projects.
Énergie du Granit owns 30% of the project while EDF EN Canada holds the remaining 70%. Consisting of 12 turbines supplied by Senvion, the project employed more than 100 persons during the peak construction phase. Electricity generated is delivered to Hydro-Quebec Distribution under a 20-year Power Purchase Agreement.
“In addition to the electricity generation’s revenues shared with Énergie Du Granit, an annual financial contribution of $61,500 will be paid to the municipality of Saint-Robert-Bellarmin during the 20 years of operation of the wind farm. Énergie du Granite, a company 100% owned by the RCM of Le Granit, will finally see the results of its participation,” commented André St-Marseille, President of Énergie du Granit.
“We offer our sincere thanks to the efforts of the development, construction and commissioning teams which delivered the project on time and within budget with about 100,000 hours of work,” said Al Kurzenhauser, Chief Operating Officer of EDF EN Canada. “In addition, we acknowledge the participation and the outstanding efforts of our partner, Énergie du Granit.”
Le Granit is one of seven wind energy projects awarded to EDF EN Canada in 2008 and 2010 through Hydro-Quebec Distribution call for tenders. It also represents the third project developed by EDF EN Canada to be held in partnership with an MRC, the other two wind projects being La Mitis (24.6 MW) and Lac Alfred (300 MW). By the end of 2015, EDF EN Canada will have placed into service 1,374 MW of wind and solar projects in Canada.