Planned 120-kV line in the regional county municipalities (MRCs) of Laurentides and Pays-d'en-Haut120-kV line: Hydro-Québec has not abandoned the project and is currently developing a final route

Hydro-Québec would like to provide some clarification regarding the 120-kV transmission line being planned to meet the growing demand for electricity, which increased by 20% between 2004 and 2012, in the regional county municipalities (MRCs) of Laurentides and Pays-d'en-Haut. Contrary to certain media reports, Hydro-Québec has not abandoned the planned 120-kV line. Studies and discussions with the community are under way.

In recent months, more than 40 meetings have been held with the communities and local officials, and the company has organized four open house activities to share information with the groups affected by the project and to listen to their comments.

Result of meetings and consultation sessions with the community

Based on the concerns raised during the consultations and the community's request to expand the study area, Hydro-Québec is currently establishing a regional technical committee. Made up of land development and environment specialists who are active in the affected regions, the committee will develop the most optimal route while taking into account previously proposed routes, the company's obligations to meet the growing demand for electricity in the MRCs of Laurentides and Pays-d'en-Haut, the minimization of impacts and the characteristics of the expanded study area.

Technical characteristics:

The technical details of the project, including the height of the towers, have been available online for the past several months on the project Web site and in the public documentation.

A 120-kV line has been proposed as it can be integrated more easily with the equipment using this voltage in the existing transmission system in the Laurentides region. To meet the growing demand for electricity in the region, two separate traditional 120-kV lines would have been necessary. To avoid this scenario, a 120-kV double-circuit line was chosen. The line provides the advantage of superior performance while limiting the need to open new power transmission corridors in the affected area.

For more information on the project, citizens are invited to regularly consult the draft design study Web site: www.hydroquebec.com/projects/grand-brule-saint-sauveur.html or to call the Info-project line – Laurentides at 1 800 465-1521, ext. 6022.

Information:
Sophie Lamoureux
Advisor – Community Relations and Special Projects, Laurentides
Direction – Affaires régionales et collectivités
Telephone: 450 565-2210, ext. 2385
E-mail: lamoureux.sophie@hydro.qc.ca