Hydro-Québec will increase the capacity of the René-Lévesque hydropower plant, called Manic-3, over the next 10 years. With the main works costing more than half a billion dollars, the plant could gain up to 35% of installed capacity.
The Manic-3 power plant, located about 100 kilometers north of Baie Comeau, produces 1,285 megawatts of installed power. To increase its power by 35%, Hydro-Québec will replace six turbine and generator sets.
These rotating devices, which convert water energy into mechanical energy, have been in operation for nearly 50 years.
The six turbine generator sets of the Manic-3 power plant will be replaced with more modern devices.
Photo: Hydro Quebec
The total cost of the work has not yet been announced, but it is estimated at more than $560 million, an estimate based on other similar projects.
The number of additional megawatts that will result from the work is still unknown at this time, as explained by Hydro-Quebec Communications and Communities Advisor, Cathy Hamel.
We really need to do all the necessary studies to really see what additional power capacity we will be able to get. […] But what we must understand is that there is no longer water in the river. We turbine the same amount of water. It’s just that we’re going to spin it in a different way
“, the speaker points out.
It’s definitely a big win.
It works until 2033
The initial timetable calls for preparatory work in 2025 before the replacement of the turbine generator sets from 2027 to 2033. Environmental inventories and consultations will also need to be carried out.
Hydro Quebec Communications and Communities Advisor Cathy Hamel notes that the Manic-3 power plant was built in the mid-1970s (archive photo)
Photography: Radio-Canada/Benoit Jobin
Between 100 and 200 workers will be needed. We have other projects nearby that also require accommodation, so we are looking into the possibility of setting up camp near the René Lévesque power station. The camp will have about 300 places for about 10 years.
“, specifies Cathy Hamel.
In addition, a three-kilometre-long electric transmission line will also have to be built. We will start from the existing line that previously went to Micoua Station. There, we will create a small transfer line to go to Otardis station
“, points out Cathy Hamel.
Hydro-Québec’s 2035 action plan plans to add 2,000 megawatts of power to the grid from existing power plants. On the northern shore, repair work is scheduled for the Manic-3 and Outardes-2 power plants, while the Manic-2 plant is next in the state company’s sights.
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