The main components of the Eastmain-1 development are the powerhouse, the main dam across the Eastmain River, the spillway on the right bank of the river, and the dikes for reservoir closure. A 315-kV transmission line will link the powerhouse to Nemiscau substation. An 80-km permanent access road has been built from the substation to the jobsite. Finally, a workers' camp has been set up for the duration of the project.

The unit in charge of the Eastmain projects, Direction – Projets de l'Eastmain, has obtained ISO 14001 certification.

Meaning of the logo This style experiment suggests the integration of natural elements—water and sun—within a Native symbol: the circle of life, symbolizing life, the seasons, the universe and, by extension, energy. The two waves represent the two cultures.

The powerhouse is located on the left bank of the Eastmain River. It will contain three generating units with an installed capacity of 480 MW. The generating station will have an average annual output of 2.7 TWh. The design flow will be about 840 m³/s and the rated head will be 63 m. A minimum flow of 140 m³/s will be maintained at all times at the powerhouse outlet.

The main dam across the Eastmain River, 14 km east of the powerhouse, will be 890 m long and 70 m high. Thirty-three dikes will be needed to close off the reservoir. At its maximum level, the reservoir will encompass an area of about 603 km²; its annual drawdown will be limited to approximately 9 m. The maximum and minimum reservoir levels will be 283 m and 274 m, respectively.

The spillway is located on the right bank of the Eastmain River, upstream of the powerhouse, at the north end of the main dam. Its discharge capacity will be 5,500 m³/s when the reservoir is at its maximum level.

See the schedule

Work began in spring 2002 and should be completed in 2007.