Boralex Éole and UQAR : Partners
for the Development of Wind Energy
in Bas-St-Laurent and Gaspésie
Rimouski (Québec), May 14, 2003 –
Boralex Éole inc. – a joint venture company created
by Boralex and SOQUIP Énergie, a subsidiary of SGF –
and the Université du Québec à Rimouski
(UQAR) announce that they have entered into a partnership agreement
to develop wind energy in the Gaspésie and Bas St-Laurent
regions of Québec.
In light in of the recent request for proposals
by Hydro-Québec Distribution to supply a total of 1,000
MW of wind power over a 10 year period, Boralex Éole
will benefit from UQAR’s expertise in training, research
and development in this energy sector. The partnership will
conduct a number of wind studies in these two regions of Québec
to determine which sites have the potential to be developed.
In addition, UQAR will be invited to participate financially
in the various projects that are selected for the development.
Regional Economic Benefits : A Priority
Boralex Éole will install wind measurement instruments
in the Rimouski area, which will be the company’s base
for research and development for wind energy. These installations
will provide Boralex Éole and UQAR with the knowledge
required to measure wind and how to convert it into energy by
providing them with continuous, accessible and reliable wind
data. Also, the Murdochville area has been selected for wind
measurement activities. Boralex Éole intends to favour
local suppliers of equipment and services for the construction
and start up of the various projects selected for development.
« The success in the development of wind
power in the Gaspésie and Bas St-Laurent regions is a
function of our ability to include in our projects strategic
partners with whom we will generate expertise, which will have
academic and economic benefits for the regions. As such, the
support of UQAR will be a substantial contribution to making
Québec an important player in the future in wind energy,
which is now growing rapidly. » said Jacques Gauthier,
President and Chief Executive Officer of Boralex.
UQAR : a Source of Expertise in Wind Energy
Power in Canada
UQAR is the most important source of expertise in the wind energy
sector in Canada, with a team of four professors and ten graduate
and post graduate students focusing on research and development
in this sector. This research is being conducted with the help
of various Québec based companies and in such diverse
areas as the design of blades, the establishment of power curves
from wind, the architectural design of power stations and various
other related issues impacting the viability of this energy
source.
UQAR is also involved in manpower training in
the wind power sector, offering a new program of superior studies,
which focuses on both the management and the technical issues
for wind power installations. In addition, UQAR continues to
monitor research and development in this area from outside Québec
through relationships with University d’Artois in France
and UNB in Eastern Canada.
Rector Michel Ringuet indicates that “this
new partnership is consistent with UQAR’s objectives of
developing ongoing relationships with the private sector to
foster economic development in the Gaspésie and Bas St-Laurent
regions. Once developed, these new installations will provide
opportunities for both permanent employment for our graduates
and training for our students.”
On March 10 of this year, the creation of Boralex
Éole was announced. It is owned 60% by Boralex inc. and
40% by SOQUIP Énergie, a subsidiary of SGF. This new
joint venture company has been set up on a mutual exclusive
basis to develop, construct and operate wind energy power stations
in Québec.
About Boralex
Boralex owns and operates twelve power stations located in Québec,
the United States and France, with an installed capacity of
229 MW, as well as an urban wood processing and recycling centre
in Montréal. In addition, Boralex holds a 34% interest
in Boralex Power Income Fund (the “Fund”), which
owns eight power stations in Québec with an installed
capacity of 131 MW. Management of the Fund‘s assets is
provided by Boralex. Boralex employs more than 230 workers and
its operations focus on four types of power generation in fields
where Boralex has developed proven expertise. These are centered
on renewable energy and green energy. (www.boralex.com).
In France, Boralex operates 10 wind turbines
with a total capacity of 8 MW through a subsidiary Séris
Éole S.A.S. This wind farm is located in the South-West
of France and supplies electricity to Électricité
de France (EDF) under a long-term contract. During 2003, 3.2
MW will be added to the capacity of this site.
- 30 -
For further information, please contact:
Mrs. Carole Villeneuve
Communications Director
Telephone: (514) 985-1353
Fax: (514) 985-1355
E-mail: cvilleneuve@cascades.com
Mr. Jacques Gauthier
President and Chief Executive Officer
Boralex inc.
Telephone : (514) 282-2634
Fax: (514) 284-9895
Mr. Mario Bélanger
Communications Department
UQAR
Telephone : (418) 723-1986 #1426
E-Mail : mario_belanger@uqar.qc.ca
