Powering our off-grid systems with renewables

In the future, more renewable energy sources will power Nunavik communities, and numerous local and regional jobs will be created. The partnership is expected to reduce the amount of fuel used for energy production in Nunavik by over 200 million litres.

A run-of-river generating station in Inukjuak

Connecting Kitcisakik

Connecting La Romaine and Unamen Shipu to the grid

With a total population of around 1,400, the village of La Romaine and the Innu community of Unamen Shipu have been supplied by a diesel generating station for 50 years. In October 2022, Hydro-Québec commissioned a new 100-km power line that connects both settlements to the main grid. The new connection, which aligns with the gradual decarbonization of off-grid systems set out in the company’s Strategic Plan 2022–2026, will reduce annual carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions by 10,000 t.

Converting off-grid systems in Nunavik

In June, we announced an agreement with Tarquti Energy Inc., making it our preferred and exclusive partner for renewable energy projects in Nunavik. Clean energy will replace a significant portion of the 33,569 kW generated from fossil fuels in the region's off-grid systems.

This unique partnership marks an important milestone for the Inuit in Nunavik, who are already developing the tools and skills they'll need to carry out their own environmentally friendly renewable energy projects in keeping with Nunavimmiut values.

In the future, more renewable energy sources will power Nunavik communities, and numerous local and regional jobs will be created. The partnership is expected to reduce the amount of fuel used for energy production in Nunavik by over 200 million litres.

The project proponent, Inukjuak-based Innavik, continued building a run-of-river hydroelectric generating station that’s slated for commissioning in 2023. Work on converting the distribution system and building a 25-kV substation in the community of Inukjuak is also ongoing.

Generating energy from biomass

Discussions are underway between Hydro-Québec and the community of Opitciwan regarding the use of residual forest biomass. A power purchase contract is expected to be submitted to the Régie de l’énergie for approval in December 2023.

Generating renewable energy at Kuujjuarapik-Whapmagoostui

We are also aiming to establish a partnership with the promoter of the Kuujjuarapik-Whapmagoostui wind farm. Talks with the Kuujjuaraapik-Whapmagoostui Renewable Energy Corporation (KWREC) about a wind farm project are moving ahead and could lead to the submission of a power purchase agreement to the Régie de l’énergie in 2023.

Studies on Îles-de-la-Madeleine

As regards connecting Îles-de-la-Madeleine to the main grid, the company has noted the Régie de l’énergie’s request for further studies on scenarios to convert Îles-de-la-Madeleine generating station to renewable liquified natural gas, as well as on the addition of wind turbines connected to a battery storage system.

On May 2, Hydro-Québec and the Conseil des Anicinapek de Kitcisakik announced the launch of an electrification project for the village of Kitcisakik, located on the shore of the Dozois reservoir. Working with community representatives, we set up a technical committee to identify the best solutions and ensure the project’s success. The work involves building a line between Louvicourt substation and Kitcisakik along with a low-voltage system in the village. In parallel, Québec’s First Nations and Inuit relations secretariat will help Kitcisakik residents adapt their homes, which have never before been connected to a power system. Indigenous Services Canada will help connect community buildings to the local network.