The Baie-des-Sables wind farm went into commercial operation on Nov. 21. One of the largest wind farms in Canada, it provides 109.5 Megawatts (MW) to the Hydro-Quebéc grid.

The project is the first facility Cartier Wind Energy Inc. has completed in the Gaspé region of Quebéc. Cartier Wind Energy is co-owned by TransCanada Corporation (62%) and Innergex II Income Fund (38%).

“The project had an aggressive schedule. We installed 73 wind turbines and the associated facilities in just seven months,” says Corey Goulet, vice-president, Project Implementation. “I’m very proud of the project team for meeting the challenge and reaching this milestone.”

“The success of the project required the cooperation of our partners, outside resources and the community,” says Philippe Piuze, project manager, Cartier Wind Energy.

Work on the wind farm began in March 2006 and at the peak of construction 250 workers were on-site. “Although everyone was focused on delivering the project on time, safety was always the top priority,” says Catherine Pineau, construction manager, Cartier Wind Energy.

“Delivering the 110 foot blades to the site was one of the biggest risks we faced,” says Stephanie Wilson, manager, Project Implementation. “The blades were transported from the factory during peak tourist season, approximately 450 kilometres away. The Cartier project team, GE, the Ministry of Transportation and the Quebéc tourism bureau worked collaboratively to ensure transportation was done safely.”

Baie-des-Sables was publicly inaugurated on Dec. 1, 2006. With a total investment of $1.2 billion over seven years, Baie-des-Sable is the first of many important investments for Cartier and will help Quebéc meet future energy demand needs.

For more information, contact Stephanie Wilson at 403.920.5061.