Image: Eastmain-1-A/Sarcelle/Rupert Project
Link: Eastmain-1-A/Sarcelle/Rupert Project Home Page
Project Description

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 du Dam Rupert
Simulation of Rupert dam
Simulation de la centrale Eastmain-1-A
Simulation of Eastmain-1-A powerhouse
Simulation de la centrale la Sarcelle
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
Link: Hydro-Québec' Home Page