Boralex, Énergir and Hydro-Québec to co-develop 1.2GW of onshore wind in Canada

State-owned utility and renewables developers plan three onshore wind farms, each with a capacity of 400MW

by David Carr 19 April 2022

The partners plan their new projects close to the existing 364MW Seigneurie de Beaupré wind farms (pic credit: M Dumas)

Boralex, Énergir and Hydro-Québec have announced their intention to develop three wind farms, each of 400MW capacity.

The 400MW Des Neiges Wind Farm - South , 400MW Des Neiges Wind Farm - Charlevoix and 400MW Des Neiges Wind Farm - West are planned for sites in Québec, close to the existing 364MW Seigneurie de Beaupré wind farms, operated by Boralex and Énergir.

The total investment in the three new projects could reach $3 billion, with the partners participating equally in the new facilities through affiliated companies. Their output would be purchased by Hydro-Quebec under three power purchase agreements (PPAs)

Field studies and environmental impact studies are being undertaken, alongside preliminary engineering work to specify the projects’ configurations. An initial round of public information and consultation was carried out last year and the process is ongoing with local stakeholders.

Patrick Decostre, president and CEO of Boralex, said: “This agreement represents the recognition of wind power as an essential source in Quebec’s energy mix.”