150-MW wind farm in Quebec receives environmental approval

LONGUEUIL, Que.—Quebec has granted environmental approval to a wind farm in the Gaspe Peninsula in the province’s southeast, clearing the way for construction of the $365-million project.

According to Innergex Renewable Energy Inc., the province issued approval for the Mesgi’g Ugju’s’n Wind Farm, L.P., a 150-megawatt wind installation of which the company owns a 50 per cent interest.

A trio of Quebec Mi’gmaq communities own the remaining 50 per cent, while Innergex is also responsible for the construction management and operation of the wind farm.

Innergex Renewable Energy Inc. (TSX: INE) (“Innergex” or the “Corporation”) announces that the has obtained the government decree from the Quebec government for a 150 MW wind project located in the Gaspé Peninsula, in Quebec. This entity is controlled 50-50 by the three Mi’gmaq communities of Quebec – Gesgapegiag, Gespeg and Listuguj and by Innergex, which is also responsible for the management of the construction and the operation of the wind farm.

“Innergex and its partners, the Mi’gmaq communities of Quebec, have reached an important milestone in the development of this wind project and we look forward to beginning pre-construction activities soon,” Innergex president and CEO Michel Letellier said in a statement.

“This project enjoys a very high degree of social acceptability, is being developed in compliance with environmental requirements, and will provide substantial economic benefits for our partners.”

The project will be built on public lands in the Avignon Regional County Municipality, southeast of Rimouski, Que., along the Quebec-New Brunswick border.

According to Innergex, wood clearing and other pre-construction activities are set to start later this year, with construction slated to begin in 2015.

It will produce enough electricity to power 30,000 Quebec homes annually and will sell electricity to Hydro-Quebec under a 20-year power purchase agreement.