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 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.
