‘Huge milestone’ achieved as Hydro-Quebec CEO signs multiple deals in Nunavik
Makivvik, Tarquti Energy, Ilagiisaq-FCNQ included in green energy plans
Hydro-Quebec CEO Michael Sabia, left, and Makivvik president Pita Aatami sign a collaboration agreement. (Photo courtesy of Ed Maruyama | Makivvik)
Updated May 16 at 5:30 p.m. ET
Nunavik’s clean energy development is getting a boost as Hydro-Quebec’s CEO came to Kuujjuaq this week to sign multiple agreements with regional bodies.
Hydro-Quebec CEO Michael Sabia signed a collaboration agreement with Makivvik on Tuesday at its office. The aim is to strengthen their relationship and foster economic development in Nunavik.
This agreement includes the creation of a monitoring committee, where an action plan will be drafted with Inuit realities in mind. The plan is to increase investment opportunities in energy projects, the decarbonization of northern villages and economic and social benefits for Inuit.
Sabia also met with Tarquti Energy and its shareholders, Makivvik and its community partners, the co-operatives of Puvirnituq and Quaqtaq, and Tuvaaluk Landholding Corp. of Quaqtaq to conclude crucial power purchase agreements for Quaqtaq and Puvirnituq’s wind turbine projects.
Joe Lance, general manager of Tarquti, said these contracts have been in negotiations for nearly two years.
“It sets the table to advance to the next steps,” he said in a French phone interview.
The purchase agreements serve as a selling contract, where Tarquti and its partners will sell the energy production from its future wind turbine projects to Hydro-Quebec.
Hydro-Quebec will then implement that energy into its electricity supply to the communities.
“It is a huge milestone,” said Lance.
The next step is for those contracts to be sent to the Quebec Energy Board for approval. After that, Tarquti needs to acquire environmental permits.
Lance said construction of the wind turbines in Quaqtaq is scheduled to begin in 2026, while the ones in Puvirnituq are planned to begin in 2027.
The turbines will provide more than 60 per cent of the communities’ electricity needs. Over 25 years, the initiatives are estimated to save 96 million litres of diesel fuel, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 253,000 tonnes of CO2.
Note: This story was updated to include the groups that met with Michael Sabia
Good. Animals don’t go into town anymore so build them projects right in town so that we have the manpower to run them. Dont put them out far off where animals roam. Let it be on category 1 lands, please.
How are they negotiating a final price when they don’t know what technology will be implemented i.e. they don’t know how much a project will cost. How much is 1 L of diesel? How much can 1 L of diesel generate electricity? I think FCNQ-Petrol is overstepping. I think FCNQ board has no oversight and their management has taken advantage of this. Give the board extra extravagant things so management can get away with what they want to do.