Visit Romaine-1 hydropower generating station!

Côte‑Nord, QC

Aerial view of the Romaine‑1 spillway and reservoir.

In harmony with my environment

I’m part of Hydro‑Québec’s most recent hydropower project, the Romaine complex. The work of a new generation of hydropower pioneers, I opened my doors to visitors in 2019. I’m in the MRC of Minganie, very close to the charming village of Havre‑Saint‑Pierre. Your tour will begin at Portail Pélagie‑Cormier’s interpretation center, where my guides will invite you to explore Hydro‑Québec’s exhibition on environmental and heritage conservation. I’m sure you’ll find it captivating!

You’ll then take an electric bus to come see me. Once you’ve arrived, you’ll get to:

walk around on the dam.
enjoy the breathtaking view of the reservoir and valley.
go under the penstock and feel the driving force of the water. I have 270 MW of installed capacity, by no means trivial!
learn more about hydropower generation using the latest technology.

All this in just a few hours–it’s sure to go by fast!

A sneak peek!

Have a look at these pictures for a hint of what your guided tour has in store for you!

Did you know?

An Innu employee at the Romaine-1 construction site.

A jobsite with deep roots in the region

Nearly half (45%) of the workers who helped to build the Romaine complex are from the Côte‑Nord region. The Mingan residents and Innu have left their mark here, both on the jobsites and in the work camps.

Unamen Shipu, river of ocher

The Innu call the Rivière Romaine Unamen Shipu, which means “river of ocher.” Calm and welcoming at its source and mouth yet turbulent in the middle, the river has inspired many legends and stories.

The river's salmon population is studied, monitored and protected.

Protecting salmon

When I was designed, an ecological instream flow was added downstream of where I am to provide passage for Atlantic salmon. In winter, my two generating units are used to prevent flow rate variations that could threaten the species.

A boat ramp at the reservoir upstream of Romaine-1 generating station.

Better access

To make boating and fishing easier, Hydro‑Québec cleared land around Romaine 1 reservoir and built boat ramps upstream and downstream of the facility. They are open to all!

My history

I’m the second of four generating stations to be commissioned on the Romaine. I’m located in magnificent surroundings, just north of the municipality of Havre‑Saint‑Pierre. I’m ready to welcome you!

1959–1971: Construction of Manic-5 and Daniel-Johnson dam in the Côte-Nord region

1960: Beginning of the Quiet Revolution in Québec

1963: Second phase of electricity nationalization

1971–1981: Construction and commissioning of phase I of the La Grande complex

1999–2008: Archaeological digs in the Romaine valley

The archaeological digs that were conducted at the site of the Romaine complex greatly enriched our knowledge of this territory, which is defined by the river that runs through it and the “people of the river.” Archaeologists identified 78 sites that were occupied by Indigenous groups or trappers from the coast, about 20 of which date back more than 500 years.

In 2010, four sites were excavated in the area of Romaine-1 and Romaine‑2 generating stations, unearthing human occupation areas and artifacts from the prehistoric, historical, modern and contemporary periods (in French only).