Hydro Power
Robert-Bourassa Dam Canada
The Robert-Bourassa Dam is a hydroelectric dam located on the La Grande River in northern Quebec, Canada. It is the largest hydroelectric facility in the province and the third largest in Canada. The dam is named after Robert Bourassa, a former premier of Quebec who oversaw the James Bay hydroelectric project of which the dam is a part.
Robert-Bourassa Dam Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Location | La Grande River, Quebec, Canada |
| Type | Concrete gravity dam |
| Height | 283 meters (928 feet) |
| Length | 2,160 meters (7,087 feet) |
| Capacity | 16,500 megawatts |
| Construction Start | 1973 |
| Construction Completion | 1981 |
| Operator | Hydro-Québec |
| Purpose | Hydroelectric power generation |
| Reservoir | La Grande 2 Reservoir |
| Reservoir Capacity | 201 cubic kilometers (48 cubic miles) |
Note: These specifications may have changed slightly over time due to maintenance or modifications.
Construction on the dam began in 1974 and was completed in 1981. It has a height of 162 meters (531 feet) and a length of 2,835 meters (9,301 feet). The reservoir created by the dam, known as the Robert-Bourassa Reservoir, has a surface area of over 2,800 square kilometers (1,080 square miles) and can store up to 61 billion cubic meters (49 million acre-feet) of water.
The dam has 16 generating units, each with a capacity of 768 megawatts, for a total capacity of 12,288 megawatts. It provides electricity to Quebec and also exports power to the United States.
The construction of the Robert-Bourassa Dam was controversial due to its impact on the environment and the displacement of Indigenous peoples in the area. The dam and the James Bay project as a whole have been criticized for their lack of consultation with Indigenous communities and their negative impact on traditional ways of life.
History of Robert-Bourassa Dam Canada
The history of the Robert-Bourassa Dam can be traced back to the 1960s when the government of Quebec began exploring the possibility of developing hydroelectric power in the northern part of the province. In 1971, then-Premier Robert Bourassa announced the James Bay hydroelectric project, which would involve the construction of several dams and power stations along the La Grande River and its tributaries.
Construction on the Robert-Bourassa Dam began in 1974, and it was completed in 1981 at a cost of approximately CAD $15 billion. The dam was named after Bourassa in recognition of his role in initiating the James Bay project. At the time of its completion, the Robert-Bourassa Dam was the largest underground power station in the world.
The construction of the dam was a major engineering feat, as it required the excavation of over 150 million cubic meters (196 million cubic yards) of rock and soil. The project also involved the creation of a massive reservoir, which required the flooding of an area of over 2,800 square kilometers (1,080 square miles).
The Robert-Bourassa Dam has since become a major source of electricity for Quebec, providing power to the province's residents and industries. The dam has also helped to reduce Quebec's reliance on fossil fuels and has contributed to the province's efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
However, the construction of the Robert-Bourassa Dam was controversial, as it had a significant impact on the environment and the traditional ways of life of Indigenous peoples in the region. The dam and the James Bay project as a whole have been criticized for their lack of consultation with Indigenous communities and their negative impact on the environment and wildlife in the area.
Robert-Bourassa Dam Hydropower Plant Canada - Profile
Here's a profile for the Robert-Bourassa Dam Hydropower Plant:
Name: Robert-Bourassa Dam Hydropower Plant
Location: James Bay region, Quebec, Canada
Owner: Hydro-Québec
Type: Hydroelectric dam
Installed capacity: 5,616 MW
The Robert-Bourassa Dam Hydropower Plant, also known as La Grande-2-A, is located on the La Grande River in the James Bay region of Quebec, Canada. It is owned by Hydro-Québec, a government-owned utility company that manages the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity in Quebec.
The dam was completed in 1981 and has a height of 162 meters, making it one of the tallest dams in North America. The plant has an installed capacity of 5,616 MW and generates approximately 26 TWh of electricity per year. The dam's reservoir, called Robert-Bourassa Reservoir, has a total area of 2,835 square kilometers and a maximum depth of 178 meters.
The Robert-Bourassa Dam Hydropower Plant is a significant source of clean and renewable energy for Quebec and helps to reduce the province's reliance on fossil fuels. The plant also provides numerous economic benefits, including job creation and revenue generation through electricity exports to neighboring regions.
Robert-Bourassa Dam Hydropower Plant Canada - Technology
The Robert-Bourassa Dam hydropower plant is a massive facility that generates electricity using the power of the La Grande River in northern Quebec, Canada. The plant is equipped with 16 vertical Francis turbine-generators, each with a capacity of 768 megawatts (MW), for a total capacity of 12,288 MW.
The turbines are housed in a large underground chamber excavated deep into the bedrock, beneath the dam itself. The water from the reservoir created by the dam is channeled through tunnels and penstocks (large pipes) to the turbines, where it spins the turbines' blades, driving the generators to produce electricity.
The facility also includes a large substation that transforms the electricity generated by the turbines to a higher voltage for transmission to Quebec's electrical grid. From there, the electricity can be distributed to consumers throughout the province or exported to neighboring regions.
The Robert-Bourassa Dam hydropower plant is a significant technological achievement, utilizing advanced engineering and construction techniques to harness the power of the La Grande River. It is a prime example of how hydropower can be used to generate large amounts of clean, renewable energy and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
Robert-Bourassa Dam Hydropower Plant Canada - Operator
The Robert-Bourassa Dam hydropower plant is owned and operated by Hydro-Québec, a Canadian public utility company that specializes in the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity. Hydro-Québec is a state-owned corporation and is the largest producer of electricity in Canada, with a total installed capacity of over 37,000 MW.
Hydro-Québec operates a network of hydroelectric power plants across Quebec, including several facilities along the La Grande River as part of the James Bay project. The Robert-Bourassa Dam hydropower plant is one of the largest and most important facilities in the company's portfolio, providing a significant portion of Quebec's electricity supply and contributing to the province's efforts to transition to a low-carbon economy.
As the operator of the Robert-Bourassa Dam hydropower plant, Hydro-Québec is responsible for the day-to-day management and maintenance of the facility, ensuring that it operates safely, reliably, and efficiently. The company also manages the transmission and distribution of the electricity generated by the plant, working with partners and customers to ensure that the electricity is delivered where it is needed, when it is needed.
Robert-Bourassa Dam Hydropower Plant Canada- Cost and Financial
The construction of the Robert-Bourassa Dam and the entire James Bay hydroelectric project, of which it is a part, was a massive undertaking that required significant financial investment. The project was funded by the government of Quebec and supported by the Canadian federal government, as well as through loans and financing from international organizations.
The total cost of the James Bay project, including the construction of several dams, power stations, and transmission lines, was estimated to be approximately CAD $20 billion at the time of completion in 1996. The Robert-Bourassa Dam was one of the most expensive components of the project, with a cost of approximately CAD $15 billion.
The project was controversial due to its high cost and the impact it had on the environment and the traditional ways of life of Indigenous peoples in the region. However, it has since become an important source of electricity for Quebec and has contributed to the province's economic development.
The Robert-Bourassa Dam hydropower plant is operated by Hydro-Québec, a state-owned corporation that generates revenue through the sale of electricity. The plant is a major source of revenue for Hydro-Québec, contributing to the company's overall financial performance.
Hydro-Québec also exports electricity to the United States, generating additional revenue for the company. In 2020, Hydro-Québec reported total revenues of CAD $14.8 billion, with net income of CAD $2.7 billion. The company is considered to be financially stable and has a strong credit rating, reflecting the reliability and profitability of its operations.
Robert-Bourassa Dam Hydropower Plant Canada - Energy Contribution
The Robert-Bourassa Dam hydropower plant is one of the largest hydroelectric power stations in the world and is a significant contributor to Quebec's electricity supply. The plant has a total installed capacity of 12,288 MW, making it one of the most powerful electricity generation facilities in Canada.
The electricity generated by the Robert-Bourassa Dam hydropower plant is primarily used to meet the needs of consumers in Quebec, where it is a major source of clean, renewable energy. According to Hydro-Québec, the plant is capable of producing enough electricity to meet the needs of more than two million homes.
The plant also plays an important role in supporting Quebec's efforts to transition to a low-carbon economy. By generating electricity from renewable sources, the Robert-Bourassa Dam hydropower plant helps to reduce the province's reliance on fossil fuels and lower greenhouse gas emissions.
In addition to supplying electricity to Quebec, the Robert-Bourassa Dam hydropower plant is also a significant exporter of electricity to the United States, particularly to the northeastern states. According to Hydro-Québec, the company exports more than 20 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity to the United States each year, with a significant portion of that coming from the James Bay project, including the Robert-Bourassa Dam hydropower plant.
Tthe Robert-Bourassa Dam hydropower plant is a major contributor to Canada's electricity supply and plays an important role in supporting the transition to a more sustainable, low-carbon energy system.
Conclusion for Robert-Bourassa Dam Hydropower Plant Canada Review
The Robert-Bourassa Dam hydropower plant is a significant engineering achievement and an important contributor to Quebec's electricity supply. The plant is one of the largest hydroelectric power stations in the world and has a total installed capacity of 12,288 MW, making it one of the most powerful electricity generation facilities in Canada.
While the project was controversial due to its impact on the environment and Indigenous communities in the region, the Robert-Bourassa Dam hydropower plant has become an important source of clean, renewable energy for Quebec and has contributed to the province's economic development.
As the operator of the plant, Hydro-Québec is responsible for ensuring that it operates safely, reliably, and efficiently, and for managing the transmission and distribution of the electricity generated by the plant. The company is financially stable and has a strong credit rating, reflecting the reliability and profitability of its operations.
The Robert-Bourassa Dam hydropower plant is an impressive example of the potential of hydropower as a clean and renewable energy source, and serves as a model for other countries and regions looking to reduce their reliance on fossil fuels and transition to a more sustainable energy system.