Eastmain-1-A and Rupert diversion project

About the project

The Eastmain-1-A and Rupert diversion project proposed by Hydro-Québec and its subsidiary, the Société d'énergie de la Baie James, is located in northwestern Quebec, east of James Bay, and consists of the following:

• the partial diversion of the Rupert River (maximum of 800 m³/s) into the Eastmain River;
• the construction of a power plant (maximum of 770 MV) on the Eastmain 1 reservoir; and
• the addition of structures at the Sarcelle site, at the outlet of Opinaca reservoir.

The project calls for the construction of four dams, 51 dikes, two diversion bays flooding an area of 395 km², 12,000 m of diversion channels or tunnel and two permanent access roads.

The total cost of the project is estimated at $2 billion. The proponents expect that the diversion would be completed by 2007 and the Eastmain-1-A powerhouse would be commissioned by 2010.

Additional information on the project is available on the Société de l'énergie de la Baie James Web site at www.hydroquebec.com/eastmain1a/en.

For more information, please contact:
Eric Giroux
Panel Manager
1141, route de l'Église, 2nd Floor
Sainte-Foy, QC G1V 4B8
Tel.: (418) 649-6442
Fax: (418) 649-6443
eric.giroux@ceaa-acee.gc.ca