Rio Tinto announced it will upgrade eight turbine-alternator units at the Isle Maligne hydropower plant in the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region of Quebec, Canada, a modernization that will help Rio Tinto supply energy for its five low-carbon aluminum smelters in the region.
GE Vernova secured an order from Rio Tinto for the plant, which features twelve Francis hydropower units. The first unit modernization is expected in 2026 and the last one by 2032.
The modernization of this nearly 100-year-old hydropower plant is expected to enhance the performance of the units.
Last year, under a previous agreement, GE Vernova modernized one generator at the Isle-Maligne plant. After that, Rio Tinto and GE Vernova made the decision to issue a more holistic approach for the modernization of the remaining eight turbine-alternator units.
This larger and longer-term scope will enable early engagement and close collaboration between the two companies to plan, design and secure the supply chain. This strategy will also give Rio Tinto an optimized project schedule and reduce the total cost of ownership, while ensuring efficient and timely project execution.
This project is the result of a longstanding collaboration between Rio Tinto and GE Vernova, which involved work on several hydropower plants located in the province of Quebec, Canada, such as Shipshaw.
“The Isle-Maligne hydroelectric power plant has been a strategic asset for Rio Tinto for 100 years, drawing on the expertise and dedication of multiple generations of employees and business partners,” said Sébastien Ross, Managing Director for Atlantic Operations, Rio Tinto Aluminium, in a statement. “This major investment to modernise our facilities will ensure the long-term future and competitivity of our low carbon aluminium production in Quebec for decades to come for our Canadian and American customers.’’
Canada’s energy system is one of the least carbon intensive globally in large part due to the use of hydropower, which supplies around 60% of the country’s electricity needs. However, the average age of hydropower plants in Canada is 53 years old.
By 2050, electricity demand is expected to double in Canada. Modernizing its existing hydropower fleet will be essential to meet that growing demand with clean and reliable power.