Innergex begins operations at 150-MW wind farm in Quebec

The MU wind farm consists of 47 Senvion turbines, including 46 model 3.2M114 and one model MM92, all engineered for cold climates. The three Mi’gmaq communities of Quebec and Innergex Renewable Energy have officially begun commercial operation of the 150-MW Mesgi’g Ugju’s’n wind farm in Gaspésie, Quebec. The project is owned by the Mesgi’g Ugju’s’n (MU) Wind Farm, an entity controlled 50-50 by the three Mi’gmaq communities of Quebec (Gesgapegiag, Gespeg, and Listuguj) and Innergex. Innergex was in charge of managing construction for the wind farm, and will be responsible for its ongoing operation. The project is located on public lands in the Avignon Regional County Municipality in Quebec. Construction began in May 2015 and was completed within budget. “It is an honor for Innergex to have been chosen as a partner for the Mesgi’g Ugju’s’n project, particularly since it is the first wind project completed in partnership with an Indigenous Nation in Quebec,” said Michel Letellier, President and CEO of Innergex. “It is a project of an exceptional scale that was developed under the leadership of the Mi’gmaq communities.” The average annual production of the MU wind farm is estimated to reach 562,500 MWh, enough to power about 30,000 average Quebec households each year. In its first full year of operation, it is expected to generate revenues and Adjusted EBITDA of circa $59.6 million and $52.5 million respectively. All of the electricity the facility will produce is covered by a 20-year fixed-price power purchase agreement with Hydro-Québec, which provides for an annual adjustment to the selling price based on a portion of the Consumer Price Index. “The completion of construction represents a historic moment for our assembly, the Mi’gmawei Mawiomi, and the Mi’gmaq communities,” said Troy Jerome, outgoing president of the board for the Mesgi’g Ugju’s’n wind farm. “By employing 110 workers from the Mi’gmaq community during the construction of the project, we have shown that such projects can contribute to the social and economic development of the Mi’gmaq communities.” Jerome added that with the start of electricity generation, four Mi’gmaq technicians are also at work on a full-time basis as part of the team that will keep these turbines maintained and running. “We also extend our recognition to the project’s two main contractors, Borea construction and Senvion, for their efforts in attaining these employment goals,” he said.