Alcoa signs new deal with Hydro-Quebec for smelters in province
by The Canadian Press
Agreement runs through 2030 for smelters in Becancour, Deschambault; 2036 for Baie-Comeau smelter
QUEBEC—Alcoa Inc. and Hydro-Quebec have reached a long-term agreement that will see the multinational’s three smelters continue to get electricity from the provincially owned utility.
Alcoa had threatened last October to close its facilities in Quebec if Hydro-Quebec refused to lower its electricity rates.
The company did not release details of the electricity rates.
The agreement runs through 2030 for smelters in Becancour and Deschambault, and through 2036 for the smelter in Baie-Comeau.
Alcoa says the agreement will allow it to proceed with $250-million of planned investments at the smelters over the next five years.
Premier Pauline Marois and Alcoa officials made the announcement at a news conference in Baie-Comeau.
Alcoa has about 3,000 employees in Quebec.
