Invenergy Wind LLC has announced the completion of construction and the start of commercialoperations for Phase 1 of its Des Moulins wind energy project in Quebec.
The 135.7 MW project is located approximately 140 miles northeast of Montreal and features 59Enercon E-82 2.3 MW wind turbines. The wind farm's output is sold to Hydro Quebec through a 20-yearpower supply contract.
During the construction of Phase 1, Invenergy says more than 450 construction workers were employedon-site. The facility now is operated and maintained with 10 full-time employees on staff. The projectcontributes further to the area’s economic development through lease payments to landowners andvoluntary payments to the three host municipalities, the company adds.
“With this milestone, Invenergy now owns and operates more than 270 MW of wind power generationprojects in Quebec, bringing our overall clean energy operating portfolio in Canada to more than 950MW,” comments Jim Shield, chief development officer of Invenergy.
Invenergy’s other wind projects in Quebec include the 138.6 MW Le Plateau Wind Energy Centre, whichcame online in 2012. In addition, the 21.15 MW Le Plateau 2 community project is expected tocommence operations in 2014, along with the second phase of Des Moulins, a 21.15 MW facility.