Special projects

Continuation of aerial application of herbicides to power line rights-of-way on Côte-Nord, 2011–2020

To ensure reliable power grid operation, Hydro-Québec TransÉnergie periodically carries out vegetation control work on power line rights-of-way. From 1994 to 2004, the company performed the aerial application of herbicides to certain power line rights-of-way on the Côte-Nord. They were remote, inaccessible rights-of-way on very rough terrain.

As trees, which are incompatible with grid operation, have taken over some of the rights-of-way again, Hydro-Québec would like to carry out similar operations from 2011 to 2020. The objectives are the same as last time and the same method will be used. However, since vegetation compatible with grid operation (shrubs, grasses) has established itself in many places, the target area is 25% smaller. It has been reduced from 7,500 to 5,500 ha for 2011–2020.

For 10 years, Hydro-Québec TransÉnergie successfully used a system of spraying herbicide from a low-flying helicopter guided by GPS. The same system will be used again.

Since 1994, the Québec government has issued a number of orders in council, imposing many conditions, including requirements to document spraying and to protect sensitive environmental components, chiefly lakes and rivers. Hydro-Québec TransÉnergie has fulfilled all its obligations and has filed yearly reports on work done and the associated environmental studies with the department responsible. The results of the monitoring show that the work has been carried out successfully, in compliance with the orders in council [obtained].

To learn more about the project, consult the Documents section above.