Quebec Government Greenlights Construction of the Le Plateau Wind Farm

"The government announcement brings to fruition the work of several years and confirms the fundamental qualities of this wind farm – an environment friendly facility developed in harmony with the neighboring communities. We are very proud to be able to move forward with this project and contribute to the development of Quebec’s wind energy industry," pointed out Frits de Kiewit, Director Business Development at Invenergy Wind Canada.

Development partner in the MRC d’Avignon

In the coming months, preparation activities will intensify to ensure that construction work can begin in early 2010. The construction phase will last nearly two years and create as many as 250 jobs. From 8 to 12 jobs will be created for the 20 year operation phase.

The development of the wind farm and the agreement with the MRC d’Avignon reflect the desire to maximize local benefits. In this regard, Mr. de Kiewit points out that "the open-house activities and the establishment of a liaison committee – in place for nearly a year already – foster practical and transparent communication with elected officials and the other users of the territory".

Le Plateau wind farm

The Le Plateau wind energy project was selected by Hydro-Quebec Distribution following its second request for proposals to supply 2,000 MW of wind power.

The wind farm is located in the Ruisseau-Ferguson unorganized territory in the MRC d’Avignon and is located entirely on forested land.

The wind farm will have a rated capacity of 138.6 MW supplied by 60 Enercon wind turbines and will be connected to a 315 kV power transmission line of the Hydro-Quebec Trans-Energie transmission grid at a substation located near the power line.

Power delivery to Hydro-Quebec Distribution is slated to begin by December 2011.

The Le Plateau Wind Energy Center will be owned by a subsidiary of Invenergy Wind Canada ULC, a company active in Canada since 2002. Invenergy Wind Canada is affiliated with Invenergy LLC, based in Chicago. An industry leader in clean and renewable energy projects, Invenergy and its affiliates have active wind energy projects in North America and Europe generating some 2,000 MW of aggregate capacity as well as natural gas projects in North America with an aggregate generating capacity of approximately 2,200 MW.

www.invenergyllc.com/