The Onimiki project
An enhanced project to meet some issues
The Onimiki Renewable Energy project involves the development of one hydroelectric power stations using the hydraulic forces of the Kipawa lake.
The Onimiki project is valued at $475 million
(preliminary estimate - under review)..
The Onimiki (North) power plant would have a capacity of 60 megawatts and would be located on the banks of Lake Témiscamingue (approximately 30 kilometers north of Témiscaming and 15 kilometers southwest of Laniel).
Onimiki Renewable Energy revised its initial project presented in 2022 to address several issues that had been raised.
The enhanced Onimiki Renewable Energy project was presented in the spring of 2024 and is still under review. The project initially called for two power plants, Onimiki North and Onimiki South (a 7 MW plant in the former Kipawa power plant in the town of Témiscaming). After evaluation, the South plant option has since been discarded in favor of focusing on the construction of a single plant (Onimiki North).
The final project will be proposed after environmental studies, the information and consultation process, and detailed engineering studies. It will be defined in consultation with the Témiscamingue community.
The power plant would have an installed capacity of 60 MW.
Short sections of canals would be built to connect the Kipawa reservoir to Thiriot lakes, as well as a small closure dam.
Also, 4,4 kilometers of headworks would be built to supply the powerhouse.
Two potential sites for the power plant are currently under consideration.
Environmental, technical, and economic analyses have determined that an installed capacity of 60 MW represents the optimal scenario.
Things to remember
- Management of the Kipawa lake in accordance with historical conditions under the responsibility of the Direction générale des barrages (Dam Management Department);
- No change in the flow rate of Gordon Creek (between 6 and 18 cubic meters per second);
- No significant flooding along Thiriot lakes
- Ecological flow maintained in the Kipawa River (to be determined during environmental study)
- Possible improvement in the predictability of whitewater activities in the Kipawa River
- Guaranteed production in winter
Production schedule
June 2024
Filing of a new project notice (avis de projet) with the Ministère de l’Environnement, de la Lutte aux changements climatiques, de la Faune et des Parcs (MELCCFP)
2024-2025
Additional environmental inventories required for the impact study
2024-2027
Information and consultation approach
2027
Filing of the impact study
2027
Environmental analysis by the MELCCFP and other relevant ministries
2028
Expected timing of government approvals
2028 (under review)
Expected year of construction start
2030 (under review)
Scheduled commissioning year