Apuiat Wind Farm: A Model of Shared Governance and Sustainable Energy Development

The Apuiat Wind Farm, a 50-50 partnership between the Innu communities and Boralex Inc., has reached commercial operation in the Côte-Nord region of Quebec. This 200 MW wind farm is the first national energy project for the Innu and the first large-scale wind project commissioned in the region since 2018. The facility consists of 34 Vestas V162 turbines, each with a capacity of 6 MW, making them the most powerful ever commissioned in Quebec. The electricity generated by the facility is sold to Hydro-Québec under a 30-year power purchase agreement, providing enough electricity to power approximately 150,000 people annually.

Key Takeaways:

• The Apuiat Wind Farm is a 50-50 partnership between the Innu communities and Boralex Inc., making it a model of shared governance and sustainable energy development.
• The wind farm consists of 34 Vestas V162 turbines, each with a capacity of 6 MW, making them the most powerful ever commissioned in Quebec.
• The electricity generated by the facility is sold to Hydro-Québec under a 30-year power purchase agreement, providing enough electricity to power approximately 150,000 people annually.
• The Innu will receive their 50% share of the project's net earnings over the next 30 years, including royalties of $1 million paid annually and shared equally between Uashat mak Mani-utenam and the municipality of Port-Cartier.
• First Nation Businesses: $19 million awarded in goods and services contracts to Indigenous businesses.
• Local employment impacts: Over 300 workers mobilized during construction and 11 long-term jobs created locally to ensure operations throughout the contract duration.
• Development of Innu expertise: Creation of the first wind maintenance training program for Indigenous communities in collaboration with the Mitshapeu Training Center, Groupe Collegia, and Vestas.

Statistics:

• 200 MW wind farm capacity
• 34 Vestas V162 turbines, each with a capacity of 6 MW
• Electricity sold to Hydro-Québec under a 30-year power purchase agreement
• Enough electricity to power approximately 150,000 people annually
• Innu will receive 50% share of project's net earnings over 30 years
• Royalties of $1 million paid annually and shared equally between Uashat mak Mani-utenam and the municipality of Port-Cartier
• $19 million awarded in goods and services contracts to Indigenous businesses
• Over 300 workers mobilized during construction
• 11 long-term jobs created locally

Sources:

• Original Press Release: Boralex Inc. (Oct. 29)
• About Apuiat Wind Farm L.P.: apuiat.com
• About Boralex: boralex.com and sedarplus.com
• Footnote: [1] People supplied per year: The data on avoided emissions and the number of people supplied is based on calculations using parameters developed from the criteria of the Energy Sector Management Chair at HEC Montréal, along with annually updated regional emission factors sourced from official data provided by Canadian and U.S. authorities, as well as the International Energy Agency (IEA).