The Atikamekw community of Opitciwan has been supplied with electricity by a diesel thermal generating station since 1975. The community is isolated from the integrated power grid and operates as a standalone system. To make use of forestry residues from the local sawmill, the community plans to commission a 4.8 MW forest biomass power plant. A power purchase agreement has been concluded with Hydro-Québec for this addition.

To integrate this new renewable energy source, Hydro-Québec must develop a new site and construct a 25 kV sectioning substation, a control building, and add a battery energy storage system. Hydro-Québec must also extend two distribution lines from the existing generating station to the new site and convert the network from 4 kV to 25 kV.

Project activities include clearing (41,600 m²) for the new sectioning substation, its access road, and the interconnection lines; construction of the access road to the new site, the sectioning substation, the control building including a garage, and conversion of the network to 25 kV; earthworks (road and site fill) to make the area suitable for the facilities required to integrate the new biomass power plant; installation of a culvert; addition of two power transformers at the existing thermal generating station site; and installation of a pole in a sensitive area (along the watercourse shoreline). The project's potential adverse impacts include effects on wildlife, including species at risk and migratory birds, through habitat alteration or loss; effects on water quality, soil quality, and air quality during the construction phase; and impacts related to accidents and malfunctions resulting from the use of equipment during the construction and operation of the project.

Natural Resources Canada must determine whether the proposed project is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects. Natural Resources Canada is inviting comments from the public on the proposed project to help inform its determination under Section 82 of the Impact Assessment Act.  

All comments received will be considered public. For more information, individuals should consult the Privacy Notice on the Registry website (https://iaac-aeic.gc.ca/050/evaluations/Protection?culture=en-CA).  

Please submit comments in writing by March 30 to Federal_Lands-Territoire_Domanial@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca