Modification of Hydro-Québec facilities, including the construction of a new sectioning post to optimize and integrate energy produced by a forest biomass cogeneration plant in Opitciwan

Project summary: The project involves modifying Hydro-Québec (HQ) facilities in Opitciwan's stand-alone power system to optimize and integrate energy produced by a new 4.8 MW forest biomass cogeneration plant owned by a third party. To enable this integration, HQ must modify and modernize its facilities to increase its capacity to manage more renewable energy. The project includes:

- Clearing 41,600 square meters of forest for the new sectioning post, its access road, and connection lines;
- Construction of a new sectioning post including a building (control/garage), a transit house with septic system, and installation of a 4 MW energy storage system (ESS);
- Modification of an existing road and addition of a new section of road to access the new sectioning post;
- Construction of a new 1.5 m culvert in the new section of road;
- Installation of distribution lines connecting the new sectioning post and the forest biomass cogeneration plant to the existing HQ network;
- Adaptation of existing automation systems to integrate energy produced from biomass;
- Replacement of equipment at the existing thermal power plant to ensure compatibility with the use of an ESS;
- Addition of three oil recovery basins and a prefabricated oil separator well to the existing plant;
- Addition of telecommunications architecture to each facility.

Latest update

[September 15, 2025] – Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada and Indigenous Services Canada have issued their Notice of Determination and have determined that the Project is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.

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Key documents

Key documents
Document number Document title File Date
2 Notice of Determination- Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada and Indigenous Services Canada - September 15, 2025

Contacts

Environmental Advisor (Qc)
320 St. Joseph St E Q
Québec, Quebec G1K 9J2
Email: qcevalenvenvassessqc@sac-isc.gc.ca


Disclaimer

This map is for illustrative purposes. The markers represent the approximate locations based on available data. More than one marker may be identified for a given assessment.

  • Location

    • Opitciwan (Quebec)

  • Nature of Activity

    • Building and Property Development
    • Highways and Roads

  • Assessment Status

    Completed

  • Start Date

    2025-07-18

  • Proponent

    Hydro Québec

  • Authorities

    • Indigenous Services Canada
    • Infrastructure Canada

  • Assessment Type

    Project on federal lands

  • Reference Number

    89742

Nearby assessments

...within 200 kilometres
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