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Support for community development
Hydro‑Québec wants its projects to serve as opportunities to actively participate in community development. To develop, preserve, restore or beautify living environments affected by work, organizations can take advantage of the Integrated Enhancement Program (IEP), created more than 30 years ago.
Under this program, Hydro‑Québec grants eligible organizations funding based on the length of the transmission lines and the size of the substations. For this project, communities affected by the construction of line segments may take advantage of IEP funding.
Frequently asked questions
Why does Hydro‑Québec need to reinforce the transmission system?
Although the existing power system has the capacity to meet the needs of businesses in the Bécancour industrial park and port in the short term, the reinforcement project will meet growing demand for electricity in this sector and improve system reliability.
What is the goal of the system reinforcement project?
This project will supply electricity to businesses in the Bécancour industrial park and port which are generating significant growth in demand for electricity.
How do you assess a project’s environmental impacts?
For many years, Hydro‑Québec has followed its environmental assessment methodologies for transmission lines and substations, which involve a rigorous process to determine which project has the least impact by identifying what the impacts are and assessing their severity.
Hydro‑Québec also uses specialized methods, such as those that apply to landscapes, forests and farmland.
What mitigation measures do you plan on using?
Mitigation measures depend on the expected impacts, so it is too early to determine what they might be. With the experience it has acquired on other projects, Hydro‑Québec has the means to apply mitigation measures at the appropriate time to minimize the impacts related to the construction or the presence of its facilities.
Why not underground the new line segments?
To accurately identify the transmission lines that require undergrounding, we developed a structured, standardized and equitable analysis framework that is applied to all our transmission line projects.
To be fair to all Quebecers and limit the impact on their electricity bill, our analysis considers the technical constraints and significant cost of the underground option. Under this framework, undergrounding high‑voltage lines will remain an exception, as is the case around the world.
We prioritize rebuilding a line in its current right‑of‑way, since this is generally the route with the least impact. In some cases, the option to underground transmission lines is assessed if there are constraining elements or elements of very high environmental sensitivity that cannot be bypassed by an overhead line. Here are some examples: insufficient space, an impassable obstacle, an exceptional forest ecosystem, a biodiversity reserve, a national park or a place of national historic significance.
Will the Integrated Enhancement Program (IEP) or other types of compensation apply?
Yes, since the project involves the construction of a new overhead transmission lines with a voltage between 49 and 735 kV. The amount granted is based on the length of the lines in kilometres. Funding will be proportional to the length of the chosen route.
The IEP provides funding for initiatives that improve community life. They can involve the environment; municipal, community or recreational infrastructure; or support for tourism or regional development.
Initiatives must meet four criteria: collective interest, public ownership, respect for the environment and sustainability.
Will power outages be more frequent during work?
The construction of new transmission infrastructure should not lead to outages. However, if interruptions must be planned, Hydro‑Québec will inform customers in advance.
Connect with us
We’re committed to keeping the lines of communication open. Please send us your questions and comments about the project.
