Wind Power
History of Wind Power at Hydro-Québec
1975
Start of research at Hydro-Québec's research institute, IREQ, with the installation of a 40-kW vertical-axis wind turbine. This site is no longer in operation.
1977
Installation of an experimental 230-kW vertical-axis wind turbine in the Îles-de-la-Madeleine, thanks to cooperation between the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) and IREQ. This turbine is no longer in operation.
1986
Installation of a 65-kW horizontal-axis wind turbine at Kuujjuaq (off-grid system). The turbine has since been dismantled and is currently used for educational purposes at the Cégep de la Gaspésie et des Îles.
1987
Experimental wind power project (Éole) employing a 4-MW vertical-axis wind turbine with a rotor height of 96 m and measuring 64 m in diameter at midpoint. This project was conducted in collaboration with the NRC. The wind turbine operated commercially from March 1988 to April 1993, generating about 12,000 MWh. It is no longer in operation.
1987
Trials of a combined wind-diesel system are conducted at the Atlantic Wind Test Site in Prince Edward Island.
1995
In conjunction with the Ministère des Ressources naturelles du Québec (MRN), the Université du Québec à Rimouski and the consulting firm Wind Economics and Technology Inc., Hydro-Québec prepares a wind map based on available data to assess the potential of wind power in Québec.
1997
Hydro-Québec launches a wind measurement program specifically geared to the generation of wind power, with four towers. The MRN also sets up wind measurement towers of its own.
1998
Hydro-Québec transfers responsibility for the wind measurement program to the Québec department in charge of natural resources (MRN).
1998
The first phase of the Énergie Le Nordais project is brought into commercial service in Cap-Chat, with 76 wind turbines rated 750 kW each.
1999
The second phase of the Énergie Le Nordais project is brought into commercial service in Matane, with 57 wind turbines rated 750 kW each.
2001
Transfer to Hydro-Québec of the wind test bank at Matane, which comprises three wind turbines rated 750 kW each.
2001
Hydro-Québec publishes its Strategic Plan 2002-2006, in which the company commits to developing Québec's wind power potential through a targeted electricity purchasing program. Purchases could reach a total of 100 MW per year.
2002-2004
Hydro-Québec Production pioneers the move to wind power by signing contracts to purchase a total of nearly 500 MW of wind-generated electricity from private producers.
2003
Following a March 5, 2003, decision by the Québec government, Hydro-Québec Distribution launches an initial call for tenders in May 2003 to purchase 1,000 MW of wind power. Contracts are awarded in October. Selection is based on the lowest unit cost, including transmission.
2005
Hydro-Québec Distribution issues a second call for tenders to purchase 2,000 MW of wind power.
2008
Contracts are awarded following a second call for tenders to purchase 2,000 MW of wind power.
2009
Hydro-Québec Distribution issues a call for tenders for the purchase of two 250-MW blocks of wind-generated electricity, one from Aboriginal projects and the other from community projects in Québec, for a total of 500 MW of installed capacity.
