The Onimiki project includes two 42-megawatt mini-power stations that will be built in southern Témiscamingue. The Aboriginal communities of Kebaowek and Wolf Lake are associated with this project.
At the end of 2021, Hydro-Québec had launched a call for tenders for the acquisition of 480 MW of renewable energy.
The MRC intends to move forward and file its case by next July.
“ We have a project, Onimiki, which has been on the table for several years. Our goal is to submit the detailed project to Hydro-Québec as part of [the Crown corporation's] call for projects. »
Our project has certain advantages, in particular thanks to the possibilities of realization, which are very facilitating. It is a project in partnership with the First Nations, it is a project that is simple to carry out in the context of hydroelectric projects. It is a run-of-river project that does not require a retention structure for very large masses of water. We are hopeful that this will be a project that will be well received
, explains the prefect Claire Bolduc.
According to an independent evaluation, the two mini-power plant project could generate net revenues of $1.88 million for the First Nations and for the MRC in the first year.
https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/1856549/hydro-quebec-onimiki-temiscamingue-premiere-nation?partageApp=rcca_appmobile_appinfo_android&fbclid=IwAR39fS7cG3DPirgkjc7ijliXyBRK_7WrUrbU69s3nZjP8BGUlSw518cTOwM
The MRC of Témiscamingue wishes to be ready for the next call for projects from the Government of Quebec concerning renewable energies.
A mandate could soon be awarded for the preparation of a technical file which would be submitted with a view to a call for tenders.
We have the principle, we have the location, we have the water capacity; now, technically, each of the stages must be described
, explains the prefect Claire Bolduc. The council of the MRC du Témiscamingue gave its approval on Wednesday evening for the administrative committee to push the project further in order to find a firm capable of putting together a well-developed file. A step that could cost up to $100,000.
We know that a call for projects is imminent. A call for projects of 480 MW of green energy, therefore renewable energy. There will be a call for projects in the fall. We want the Onimiki project to be ready, ready to file. We don't want to be running after consultants or technical information. We want to be ready to submit a project
, persists the prefect Claire Bolduc.
The mayors of Témiscaming and Kipawa have registered their dissidence, since no agreement concerning their respective municipality has been concluded for the moment in this project.
Premier Legault's office says there will be no hydroelectric development project as long as there are power surpluses, a situation that casts a shadow over the Ominiki mini-power plant development project. Despite everything, the prefect of Témiscamingue stays the course.
The day after the election of the CAQ government, the mayor of Kipawa, Norman Young, tried to find out the intentions of Premier François Legault on the 42-megawatt mini-power plant project in southern Témiscamingue.
Four months later, the mayor received a letter signed by the Prime Minister's political attaché, of which Radio-Canada obtained a copy. You can read there:
As long as there are electricity surpluses, there will be no development projects. Under these circumstances, the evaluation of the Onimiki project is premature.
A response “already prepared”, says the prefect
This response from the Prime Minister's Office does not discourage the prefect of Témiscamingue, Claire Bolduc, who, on the contrary, intends to work twice as hard.
There is the official position and there is the reality of things. We look at this and we tell ourselves that our work is not finished. We are still working to obtain water rights and we continue to work. The project is far from dead. This is an answer that goes with the CAQ's program on energy projects. Remember that there are three projects that have been approved by Hydro-Québec, whose water rights have been transferred, assures Claire Bolduc. “We want to see the ins and outs. Very concretely, what does it represent? Financially, in terms of obligations, in environmental terms, what does that represent in our living environments? You have to start somewhere. We are moving forward, we are documenting and then requesting water rights,” says the prefect of Témiscamingue, Claire Bolduc.
le préfet de la MRC du Témiscamingue, Arnaud Warolin
The prefect wants the candidates for the next provincial elections to make commitments regarding the Onimiki project.
“Another step has just been taken for the Onimiki mini-hydroelectric project when two representatives of the community of Mashteuiatsh, in Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean, were in Témiscamingue on Tuesday.--- from Tanya Neveu
They explained the Saguenay-Lac Saint-Jean community energy project to elected officials and First Nations representatives. The representative of the community of Mashteuiatsh, Alain Nepton also wishes to be part of the Onimiki project.
“What we bring is our knowledge, because we are used to it, we have the experience and the technical knowledge to help the community set up its own project, argues Mr. Nepton. It is in this spirit that we bring it. It's not quite as a consultant, it's more to repeat an offer of community partner that we come to propose to the MRC here and to the First Nations. »
Two new mini hydroelectric power stations could see the light of day in Témiscamingue
Public consultation to come
The prefect of the MRC du Témiscamingue, Arnaud Warolin, believes that there are still several steps to take before formalizing a partnership with the community of Mashteuiatsh. “The next steps to take is that we promised the population that we would do serious work on the environment, that we were going to work with people who have the expertise to validate the quality of this project. there and that we would hold consultation, pre-consultation sessions, recalls Mr. Warolin. We are not yet at a final project. We made a commitment to consult the population and that is what we are going to do. »
21, rue Notre-Dame-de-Lourdes, bureau 209
Ville-Marie (Québec) J9V 1X8
Téléphone : 819 629-2829
Ligne sans frais : 1 855 622-MRCT (6728)
Télécopieur : 819 629-3472
To the MRC
le projet hydroélectrique Onimiki
Regarding the Kipawa River one may find a complete dossier on line at the following blog address: http://allaboutwhitewater.blogspot.com
There is also a complete Federal Court Case on the subject of the Taberet River Diversion Project.
Please also consult the officials at Opemican National Park.
It is ironic that that Quebec Corporation and environmental group, Les Amis de la riviere Kipawa which has worked so hard for the preservation of the Kipawa River for the past 40 years has not been interviewed or contacted concerning this project.
I suggest that they be granted intervenor status immediately on present and future discussions concerning water releases and the size and scope of the project to avoid future litigation and roadblocks.
Peter Karwacki
Past President
Les amis de la rivière Kipawa
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