Hydro-Quebec gets 1GW in small-scale wind project submissions

CANADA: Hydro-Quebec has received 44 submissions totalling 1052 MW in its call for 500 MW of smaller-scale, locally-based wind energy projects.

by Diane Bailey 8 July 2010

The utility launched two separate request for proposals in April 2009 seeking 250 MW of projects in which Quebec municipalities or co-operatives have at least a 30% ownership stake and 250 MW from First Nations groups that must own at least 50% of the projects.

By the July 6 bid deadline, Hydro-Quebec had received 31 community wind proposals totalling 732MW and 13 First Nations bids totalling 319MW. The utility will evaluate the proposals and expects to announce the winners near the end of the year.

The list of bidders includes some of the major players in Quebec’s wind sector as partners in the projects. Longueuil-based Innergex Renewable Energy is working with eight municipalities on projects of 24.6MW each. Montreal-based Boralex Inc. has teamed up with two municipalities for 25MW projects that will use Enercon turbines.

Toronto’s Northland Power is involved in 10 projects ranging from 6MW to 24MW in size, while 3Ci inc. is a bidder in six projects that are 24.75MW each and Saint-Laurent Énergies inc. a partner in two projects of 24.6MW each.

A partnership between Hydroméga Services inc. and a group of Quebec First Nations had seven proposals totalling 24.6MW each. Hydroméga is also involved in a community wind project of the same size.

The projects can be no larger than 25MW and must come online between December 2013 and December 2015. The utility has set a price ceiling of C$0.125/kWh, and also instituted local content requirements. At least 60% of the project cost must be spent in the province and 30% in the Gaspésie region.