Cascades factory projects slowed down by lack of electricity

The aging of the network, in particular an electrical station which no longer supplies enough, is forcing the Cascades plant in Témiscouata-sur-le-Lac to put a project on ice.

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A project involving the Cascades factory, located in the Cabano district of Témiscouata-sur-le-Lac, risks being compromised given the current energy context in Quebec, according to what was reported by the radio station Ciel 107 ,3, located in Rivière-du-Loup.

The member for Rivière-du-Loup–Témiscouata of the Coalition Avenir Québec, Amélie Dionne, is aware of the matter and says she has had discussions with the leaders of Cascades on this subject, according to the station.

“Yes, we have had discussions with Hydro-Québec on capacity… We know that we are in a tight energy context in Quebec which is difficult, so the idea is to give each other predictability on projects so that we can ensure that energy is available if we need it,” confirms Hugo d’Amours, spokesperson for Cascades, without wanting to specify further.

Hydro-Québec silent

True to its recent habits, Hydro-Québec remains silent. “Discussions with the client are going well, we will not comment on them,” a spokesperson simply mentions.

“I have been told that Cascades is waiting for a development project that is on ice given that they cannot have access to more electricity,” says Michel Lagacé, president of the Alliance de Eastern Energy. He adds that the lack of electricity transmission capacity in the region is a problem that dates back several years.

According to our information, the problem is linked to an electrical substation in the region which must be upgraded, because it no longer “supplies” enough.

The Eastern Energy Alliance, a group of municipalities in the region, has just concluded a partnership with Hydro-Québec to develop 1,000 megawatts of wind energy on public lands between the MRC of Kamouraska and that of Témiscouata. A project that will require massive investments from Hydro-Québec to upgrade the transmission network to transport electricity from the wind turbines.

Layoffs

Like many, Mr. Lagacé does not understand how the province was able to go from an electricity surplus to a shortage in such a short time. “In 2018, Mr. Legault came to Bas-Saint-Laurent. He told me “Mr. Lagacé, we are swimming in surpluses”. And at one point, curiously, the snow melted like the sun in spring and we are currently in a quasi-energy emergency,” he recently confided on Ciel 107.3.

The Cascades factory in Témiscouata-sur-le-Lac employs more than 150 workers. It manufactures cardboard, partly recycled and partly made with forest residues.

The lack of electricity for the factory is causing concern in the region, especially since recent layoffs by the Quebec paper company, which continues to rationalize its activities, particularly in Ontario and the United States.