Refurbishment of Carillon generating station

This control structure has a number of functions, including providing a safe path for floodwaters to escape and controlling river flow. It is also designed to keep the hydroelectric development safe in case of a major generating station malfunction. A reliable and available spillway is thus crucial.

Certain components of the spillway are reaching the end of their service life. In addition, engineering standards have evolved and Hydro‑Québec must comply with the legal requirements. As a result, to ensure the safety and long-term operability of the spillway, investment in its refurbishment is required.

Hydro‑Québec is currently considering using moveable cofferdams to isolate work areas so the necessary work can be performed. The draft‑design studies will help to clarify the scope of the project and the construction methods to be used.

The age of the facility is definitely a criterion, but not the only one, as Hydro‑Québec’s diligent maintenance program ensures that equipment performs as expected.

Given that many of Hydro‑Québec’s facilities are aging and its construction capacity is limited, optimizing and prioritizing projects is key. Hydro‑Québec must make sure to intervene at the right place and the right time to get the most value from work performed and to ensure public safety.

No. Since the coming into effect of An Act to simplify the process for establishing electricity distribution rates, passed by the Assemblée nationale du Québec in 2019, electricity rates are set based on the rate of inflation.

The study area depends on the features of the environment, the nature of the project and the component under study. Upstream, the road system was the determining factor. Downstream, the hydraulic geometry of the river, sensitive elements and land use (spawning grounds, bays used for fishing, ice bridge, etc.) were taken into account in circumscribing the study area.

• Fish study
• Study of terrestrial environments on the right bank
• Study of archaeological potential on the right bank
• Study of Indigenous and non-Indigenous land use
• Characterization study of shoreline
• Soil characterization on the right bank
• Eel count at the foot of the spillway (conducted in 2021)

Erosion is a major subject of investigation. Special attention is being given to fish habitats, and spawning grounds have been located downstream of the Carillon facility. Future studies will make it possible to identify other sensitive elements.

Temporary inconveniences associated with the construction work are to be expected (truck traffic on roads, traffic noise from temporary facilities, nuisance during the work, etc.). Upcoming studies will clarify the impacts on recreational and tourism activities and make it possible to determine suitable mitigation measures.

As the project gets fine-tuned over the coming months Hydro‑Québec will determine the government approvals that will have to be obtained (particularly with respect to construction methods) in addition to compliance with the Dam Safety Act.

Hydro‑Québec is currently studying this question to determine which authorities should act.

To stay in tune with the residents’ priorities and their expectations of Hydro-Québec, we have enhanced our social acceptability approach. We are mobilized to better reconcile the aspirations of the community and our energy needs.

Our scalable approach provides our project teams with an optimized toolbox, and it may be summed up in three points:

• We integrate more variety and flexibility into our approach and tools. Each project is unique.
• We focus more on listening, dialogue and creativity in our solutions and strive for the broadest possible consensus for our projects.
• We get communities involved as early on as possible to develop projects that integrate the aspirations of the local communities.

Hydro‑Québec has identified a number of stakeholders likely to be affected by or interested in the project. Any individual or organization that would like to know more about the project or contribute can take part in the consultations.

Hydro‑Québec wants to get communities involved as early on as possible through a variety of consultation methods to develop a project that incorporates the aspirations of the local communities.

Local Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities and stakeholders, including those in Ontario, will be consulted. We will use a variety of public consultation methods to reach stakeholders and hear their concerns.

The project will definitely have regional economic spinoffs, starting with jobs associated with the construction work and local purchases Hydro‑Québec must make.

Hydro‑Québec will adapt the ongoing work to minimize the floods impacts.

Hydro‑Québec, together with the MRC of Vaudreuil‑Soulanges, is studying erosion downstream of Carillon generating station.