The Onimiki project is continuously being improved throughout the development process. The location of the water intake has been changed to better integrate it into its environment.
The intake would now be located at the far end of Lake Thiriot, instead of lake Nadeau. The underground headrace supplying the Onimiki power plant would now be 4.4 kilometers long, 1.2 kilometers longer than the previously proposed version.
This reduces the project’s footprint on the local landscape and its environmental impacts during both the construction and operational phases. In particular, this change eliminates the need for work planned in the aquatic environment of Lake Nadeau and its outlet and avoids the construction of a dam in the stream fed by Lake Nadeau. No changes to natural conditions will be observed downstream of Lake Nadeau once the power plant is commissioned.
This decision was made following environmental studies and in consideration of the comments received during the various public consultations.
The Onimiki Renewable Energy team is continuing its work to improve the project and finalize the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA), which is scheduled to be submitted later in 2026. Additional information and consultation sessions will be held prior to the submission of the ESIA to present the latest project developments regarding the project and address the questions and concerns raised during previous meetings.
