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The project consists in building a 768-MW generating station—Eastmain-1-A powerhouse—near the existing Eastmain-1 powerhouse, and diverting part of the flow of the Rupert River into these two facilities, then through Sarcelle powerhouse and on to Robert-Bourassa, La Grande-2-A and La Grande-1 generating stations.
The project comprises the following:
- Diversion of a portion of the flow from the Rupert River watershed into the Eastmain River watershed
The Rupert diversion will involve the following structures and facilities:
- Four dams
- A spillway on the Rupert River, which will also function as an instream flow release structure
- 74 dikes
- Two diversion bays (forebay and tailbay) with a total area of about 346 km² at maximum operating level
- A 2.9-km-long tunnel between the Rupert forebay and tailbay
- A network of canals with a total length of about 12 km to facilitate flow in the various portions of the diversion bays
- Hydraulic structures on the Rupert River to maintain post-diversion water levels along approximately 48% of the river's entire length
- Construction of a new drinking-water plant in Waskaganish.
 Simulation of Rupert dam |
 Simulation of Eastmain-1-A powerhouse |
 Simulation of Sarcelle powerhouse |
The project, scheduled for commissioning in 2011–2012, will give Hydro-Québec's generating fleet additional capacity of 893 MW and additional output of 8.5 TWh per year, distributed as follows:
- Marginal gain at Eastmain-1-A and Eastmain-1 powerhouses: 2.3 TWh
- Output at Sarcelle powerhouse: 0.9 TWh
- Additional output at Robert-Bourassa, La Grande-2-A and La Grande-1 generating stations: 5.3 TWh