“The operation of hydroelectric mini-power plants creates an important lever for economic development within the local and First Nations communities. The government of Quebec intends to support the development of community partnerships. To do so, it makes a commitment to analyze them in order to grant the hydraulic power required for these projects. The promoters will have to make sure that their project respects the highest environmental and social standards, in addition to generating economic advantages for the local and First Nations populations.”
- Excerpt from the Quebec government’s Energy Policy 2030.
Onimiki is a community partnership that fits perfectly with the Quebec government’s Energy Policy 2030, an energy transition policy that places the consumer at the center of future actions. This policy has the following objectives
- To favour a low-carbon economy
- To optimize the use of energy resources
- To promote responsible consumption
- To take full advantage of the potential of energy efficiency
- To stimulate the technological and social innovation chain
In this Policy launched in April 2016, it states, “By supporting large-scale renewable electricity generation as well as innovation in the green energy sector (…) the Energy Policy 2030 will act as a decisive lever with industrial investors, especially in sectors that rely on large and reliable electricity supplies.”
The Policy also promotes the operation of small-scale power plants such as those envisaged in the Onimiki project:
“The operation of a small hydroelectric power plant represents an important economic development lever for local and First Nations communities. The Government of Quebec intends to support the development of community partnerships. To this end, it is committed to analyzing them in order to grant the hydraulic power required for these projects. The promoters will have to ensure that their project respects the highest criteria in terms of environment and social acceptability, in addition to generating economic benefits for local and First Nations populations. “