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Hydroelectric Development in Quebec Takes Hit with Plan Nord Revision

By Michael Harris, Online Editor, HydroWorld
February 7, 2012 | 2 Comments

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MONTREAL, Quebec -- A measure being hailed as the "largest environmental conservation project on the planet" could close as much as 30 percent of Quebec's northern territory from hydroelectric development, sources report.

The proposal is part of a new set of guidelines for Quebec's "Plan Nord," unveiled by Quebec premier Jean Charest. Plan Nord, announced in May 2011, is a 25-year, US$80.5 billion plan that seeks to protect 50 percent of the province's northern wilderness territory. Originally, Plan Nord called for only 20 percent of the wilderness to be protected.

"We are proud of this heritage, and we want to make the Plan Nord a sustainable development and environmental protection benchmark worldwide," Charest said.

When first enacted, Plan Nord sought to increase Quebec's renewable energy output and also included measures for mining, forestry, tourism and wildlife development.

However, sources say pressure from various environmental protection groups and native Inuit tribes have led the government to scale back its aggressive energy development plan, which once included as much as 2,000 MW of hydroelectric power from about 50 potential sites.

PennWell's Hydro Group publishes Hydro Review and HRW-Hydro Review Worldwide. Hydro Review, the magazine of the North American hydro industry, offers practical, useful information, helpful examples, and constructive guidance from experts. Each issue has an average readership of more than 50,000. HRW's mission is to share practical, technical information and expertise on hydroelectric power to the international hydro community. The magazine has circulation of more than 10,000.

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2 Reader Comments

Comment
1 of 2

Anonymous

February 8, 2012

The information in this posting is incorrect. Protecting 50% of the Plan Nord are from industrial activity has been part of the policy from its inception in 2008.
See: http://www.plq.org/en/comm_15_11_2008_01.php
from November 15, 2008 which states:
"Thus, 50% of the Northern Plan's area will be protected from industrial, mining and energy development."

Comment
2 of 2

gary-mccallum-153526

February 11, 2012

note:Quebec has the same land area as France, Germany, Holland, Belgum and the UK.
Though the land in northern Quebec is well suited to Hydroelectric power it is not without its environmental consequences. There were tens of thousands of Caribou that drowned after the opening of I believe it was "Le Grande" Hydro project. The ancient migratory route had a torrent of water that did not exist before and they perished.
It is not necessary that Quebec Dam the whole dam province just like it is not necessary that Alberta dig up the tar sands as quick as possible.
Why is it going to cost $80 Billion to preserve this northern wilderness. Leave it alone for free

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