Hydro-Québec - Sustainable Development

Improving Quality of Life:
Integrating our facilities into the landscape
Helping manage the land and its resources
Protecting and enhancing our heritage

Improving Quality of Life

Integrating Our Facilities into the Landscape

Because of the growing interest in quality of life (the desire for a more attractive environment, better use of space, etc.), Hydro-Québec works to integrate its facilities into the landscape, both during construction and once they are in operation. Measures include landscaping, observation sites, careful choice of material or equipment, etc.

In addition, Hydro-Québec offers its Power Line Undergrounding (PLUG) program for new neighborhoods and city streets.

More information on living wirefree and Hydro-Québec's underground system.

Some Examples

	As part of the rehabilitation of Beauharnois generating station, the east and west switchyards were dismantled. These land surfaces were seeded to improve the station's appearance from the Saint-Laurence River and Highway 132.

	In Saint-Jérôme, as part of the reconstruction of the 120-kV Lafontaine–Paquin line, we installed aesthetically pleasing tubular concrete towers, which helped our facilities blend into the landscape better.

	Joint-use enclosures (electricity and telecommunications) were built into street lamps to minimize the proliferation of connection boxes on city streets.

	Hydro-Québec participated in the launch of an underground cable guide, the Guide en matière de distribution souterraine, for planners and coordinators of undergrounding projects. The guide is a joint publication with the provincial associations of municipalities and various telecommunications companies.

	As part of our distribution line undergrounding programs, 23% of the new residential hookups in 2007 were underground connections.

	To mitigate the visual impact of the 735-kV Saint-Césaire–Hertel line, we designed innovative landscaping in conjunction with the Québec Department of Transport. The planting will create a visual atmosphere that will make drivers forget about the line. In 2007, 3,596 trees and shrubs were planted.

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