Mauricie: Hydro-Québec to invest more than $610 million at Rapide-Blanc generating station

Hydro-Québec is announcing an investment of $612,877,000 to refurbish Rapide-Blanc generating station in the Mauricie region. Work will begin in 2020 to replace the station’s six generating units and to rehabilitate the building, auxiliary electrical and mechanical systems and intake and spillway gates.

“This work will allow the generating station to contribute to meeting Québec’s energy needs for the next 50 years while remaining profitable. This highlights one of the many advantages hydropower has to offer: reliable, continuous energy generation over the long term,” said David Murray, Chief Operating Officer and President of Hydro-Québec Production.

“I am pleased that Hydro-Québec is investing in this generating station, which plays an important role in regulating the Rivière Saint-Maurice and is part of Québec’s heritage. For our government, this major investment underscores the key role that Mauricie plays in generating clean and renewable energy,” said Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Jonatan Julien.

“This is a significant investment for the region. The hundred extra workers on the job during the work will generate significant economic spinoffs for the region, especially with respect to lodging, dining and goods and services,” added Jean Boulet, Minister of Labour, Employment and Social Solidarity and Minister Responsible for the Mauricie Region.

Draft design

Draft-design work is currently being carried out at Rapide-Blanc generating station. These activities are precursors to the execution of the project, and include the construction of workshops and offices. In fall 2019, the wastewater treatment system will be modified and preparatory work for the control room will be carried out. Engineering firms will visit the generating station to finalize the preliminary steps.

About Rapide-Blanc generating station

Commissioned in 1934, the generating station has been operated by Hydro-Québec since the 1963 nationalization of electricity in Québec. With an installed capacity of  204 MW, it has six generating units and a drop height of 32.92 metres. Its reservoir, Blanc reservoir, has an area of 8,260 ha.