Rehabilitation and Repair

Hydro-Quebec’s Chelsea generating station rehabilitation project complete

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Hydro-Quebec’s Chelsea generating station rehabilitation project complete
(Chelsea Generating Station. Credit: Hydro-Quebec)

On Monday, Sept. 11, Hydro-Quebec will begin lowering the Gatineau River as one of the final steps needed to complete rehabilitation work on the 153 MW Chelsea Generating Station. The utility said the river will be lowered from Sept. 11-28, 2023.

Hydro-Québec has been working on the refurbishment of Chelsea generating station throughout the summer. The project, which began in the spring of 2022, encompassed the dam deck, accesses and emergency exits. This essential work has ensured the long-term operability of the generating station, which was commissioned in 1927.

With the work now complete, Hydro-Québec will lower the river level to 96 m upstream of Chelsea generating station to allow the contractor to remove the temporary platform. The river will return to its usual level once the platform is removed, said the utility. In September, the river level upstream from the Chelsea generating station usually varies between 97.30 and 97.45 m.

Hydro-Québec generates, transmits and distributes electricity. It is Canada’s largest electricity producer and one of the largest hydroelectric producers in the world, sourcing most of its electricity supply from hydroelectric generating stations. Its sole shareholder is the Quebec government.