Quebec greenlights 122MW windfarm for Bas-Saint-Laurent

Key Takeaways:

• Quebec has approved construction of the 122.32-megawatt Canton MacNider Wind Farm in the Bas-Saint-Laurent region, clearing the way for work to begin in the coming weeks following a favourable BAPE review.
• The project, a partnership between Clearlight Energy and the Alliance de l’énergie de l’Est, will include 20 wind turbines and supports Hydro-Québec’s 2035 Action Plan.
• At peak construction, the project is expected to employ about 150 workers and prioritize local economic benefits, including wind turbine towers manufactured by MARMEN inc. in Matane.

The Whole Story:

The Quebec government has authorized the construction of a 122.32-megawatt wind farm in the Bas-Saint-Laurent region, with work expected to begin in the coming weeks.

The Canton MacNider Wind Farm Project is a partnership between Clearlight Energy and the Alliance de l’énergie de l’Est. Located between the municipalities of Saint-Damase and Saint-Noël, the project will consist of 20 wind turbines.

The authorization follows a favourable report from the Bureau d’audiences publiques sur l’environnement (BAPE) published in September 2025. The project is intended to support Hydro-Québec’s 2035 Action Plan.

At the peak of construction, the project is expected to employ approximately 150 workers on-site. The developers have committed to using local components, including wind turbine towers manufactured by MARMEN inc. at its facility in Matane.

“The authorization of Canton MacNider marks an important milestone for Clearlight Energy and for Québec’s energy transition,” said Jeff Norman, chief executive officer of Clearlight Energy, in a news release. “We are proud to contribute, alongside the Alliance de l’énergie de l’Est and our other local partners, to unlocking the wind energy potential of the Bas-Saint-Laurent through this significant project for the regional economy.”

Michel Lagacé, president of the Alliance de l’énergie de l’Est, said the project demonstrates the benefits of the partnership model to maximize environmental and economic impacts for Eastern Quebec.

“Canton MacNider is an important project for the vitality of the region, and I am confident that its advancement will help strengthen regional expertise in the development of wind energy projects, for the benefit of Québec as a whole,” Lagacé said.

The company stated that work will be carried out to deliver energy according to a schedule agreed upon with Hydro-Québec.