Quebec regulators have wrapped up public hearings for Pattern Energy’s 147.2MW Mont Sainte Marguerite wind project.
The provincial Bureau of Public Hearings on the Environment will submit its findings to the Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment and the Fight against Climate Change by 12 February 2016. Minister David Heurtel will then have 60 days to make it public.
In the meantime, Pattern expects to issue a tender for a general contractor by March and award a contract in spring 2016. Pre-construction activities such as road preparation and site clearing are planned to begin next summer.
The C$275m project, located about 50 miles south of Quebec City, will feature 46 Siemens SWT-3.2MW-113 direct drive machines. More than 150 landowners spanning 8000 hectares have signed on to participate in the wind farm,
The US developer bought the project from initial proponent RES Canada and has signed a 25-year power purchase agreement with provincial utility Hydro-Québec. Mont Sainte Marguerite is expected to start commercial operation 1 December 2017.
Image: (Morguefile)
