Hydro-Québec launched a new call for tenders for wind energy procurement on April 10 targeting 5 to 10 TWh, or 1,500 to 3,000 MW of installed capacity to help meet the growing demand for electricity.
According to the government-owned corporation, bidders will be required to meet strong criteria that have been designed to maximize local economic benefits and to use local wind energy industry expertise. The importance placed on the social acceptability of proposed projects is also apparent, with enhanced requirements to promote better integration with host communities.
In a press release, Hydro-Québec insists that “Projects must have clear support from the municipalities involved and demonstrate a seamless integration in their surroundings.”
All projects must be supported by a resolution adopted by concerned municipalities, and public consultations must be conducted before bids may be submitted. Prospective developers will also be required to demonstrate that concerns raised within potential host communities have been addressed.
Projects developed in partnership with First Nations will be prioritized, and developers will be required to make annual financial contributions to local authorities on top of any agreements negotiated with landowners.
The Union des Producteurs Agricoles signed an agreement in principle with Hydro-Québec the day before the new call was made public. The agreement strengthens the protection of agricultural and forestry environments in the context of wind power development. In a statement, the public utility acknowledged that the call for tenders comes “at a time when preserving farmland remains a priority and the concerns of the agricultural community must be addressed.”
The agreement includes updates to terms of reference for the location of wind farms on farmland and in woodlands, including maple stands. It also includes adjustments to the weighting table used to assess bids, to favour sites that minimize the use of quality farmland. According to the UPA, this marks the first time Hydro-Québec has included criteria to limit the use of agricultural land for wind farm development. This measure includes a maximum penalty of $5 per megawatt-hour for projects located in agricultural zones, which varies depending on soil class.
When combined with other adjustment factors, such as local content requirements and social acceptability, the UPA suggests these updates “should carry sufficient weight to steer wind farms away from dynamic agricultural zones.”
The agreement also guarantees financial support for the UPA fund that promotes the long-term sustainability of the agricultural sector. Hydro-Québec will contribute up to $12,500 per megawatt commissioned in agricultural zones, while no compensation is required for turbines located outside these zones.
Developers must acquire surface rights to install wind turbines through private agreements with landowners without the possibility of expropriation, meaning producers are free to decide whether to accept or refuse a turbine on their property. Wind farm projects in agricultural zones will still be subject to separate approval by the Commission de Protection du Territoire Agricole du Québec.
In a statement clarifying the agreement on the UPA’s website, the union continued to call for a comprehensive BAPE (Bureau d’Audiences Publiques sur l’Environnement) on the wind power sector. “This still involves the installation of major infrastructure that will leave a lasting mark on the agricultural zone for years to come, with significant environmental liabilities to consider,” it read.
The current call for tenders will take place over three rounds. For the first round, Hydro-Québec will prioritize proposed projects that are in zones which have been identified by their capacity to integrate wind energy into the transmission grid, with the goal of commissioning before 2035. These areas include the Huntingdon-Chateauguay corridor as well as the Coteau-du-Lac – Valleyfield region.