Rapide-Blanc Generating Station Refurbishment Project

Rank 2024

90

Image Credit: Hydro-Quebec

Industry Sector: Energy

Project Type: Hydroelectric

Project Value: $613 million

Funding Source: Public

Provincial Funding: $613 million

Province: Quebec

City / Region: Northern Quebec

Estimated End Date of Substantial Completion: 2026

The Rapide-Blanc generation station is located on the Saint-Maurice River, 66 kilometres north of La Tuque, Québec. The station’s initial construction began in 1930 and was completed in 1934. All of the six units will be replaced. Four of the existing turbines were installed in 1934, which means by the time the project is complete those units will have been in service for 90 years. The contract for the new units calls for a complete replacement of removable turbine and generator parts, the refurbishment of all embedded components and installation of digitally controlled governor units. The new units will also be more efficient and allow production of approximately 10 per cent more energy with the same amount of water. The components will be designed to last at least 70 years. The site work and assembly will begin in 2021 and, after commissioning, the contract is expected to be completed by the end of 2025. 

Project Owner: Hydro-Quebec

Engineer: WSP (design); EXP (design); AECOM

P3 Team Members/Project Team: Voith (installation of new turbines, generators, and digital governors, as well as the refurbishment of embedded turbine components)

Other Key Players: Englobe; HKA (management consultant)

2023 Rank: 87

2022 Rank: 83

2021 Rank: 74

2020 Rank: 74