Feasibility Study in Saint-Antonin, Quebec
Equinox Construction Services (ECS) was mandated by Winston Hydro Inc. to develop a Feasibility Study that would satisfy Hydro-Québec’s requirements. As owner of the Saint-Antonin dam, Winston Hydro wanted to refurbish the station and put it back into service with new turbines and generators, new automated water diversion equipment and various other rehabilitation measures.
ECS assessed and reviewed all the factors required to develop the station’s generation capacity through an Energy Model, the Financial Model, the Scheduling and Permitting requirements as well as the proposed Cost of the sold power.
ECS was successful in attracting Hydro-Québec’s attention and assisted the owner with negotiating a Power Purchase Agreement, specific clauses and an in-service date based on Hydro-Québec’s in-house studies.
- Feasibility study
- Energy modeling
- Financial modeling
- Generation capacity assessment
- Rehabilitation planning
- Scheduling and permitting
- Power pricing analysis
- Power Purchase Agreement support
- Project cost assessment
Timeline
January to March 2024
Cost
Confidential
Professional fees
$16,000
The Challenge: Developing a Technically and Financially Viable Project
One of the main challenges of the mandate was developing a comprehensive feasibility study that met Hydro-Québec’s requirements while ensuring that the proposed rehabilitation project was both technically and financially viable.
ECS was required to assess and integrate multiple project parameters, including generation capacity, rehabilitation costs, financial projections, scheduling, permitting requirements, and the proposed power purchase conditions.
Another key challenge was aligning the technical and financial aspects of the project to establish a realistic and sustainable business case. ECS developed the required analyses and documentation to support the owner’s discussions with Hydro-Québec and demonstrate the project’s overall feasibility.
ECS provided an integrated assessment of the proposed rehabilitation and refurbishment of the Saint-Antonin station, helping Winston Hydro define the project requirements and negotiate the conditions of the Power Purchase Agreement.
Intervention by Equinox Construction Services
Equinox Construction Services developed the Feasibility Study for Winston Hydro Inc., assessing the technical and financial viability of rehabilitating and recommissioning the Saint-Antonin hydroelectric station.
ECS carried out the energy and financial modeling, generation capacity assessment, rehabilitation cost analysis, scheduling, permitting, and power pricing evaluation required to meet Hydro-Québec’s requirements.
ECS consolidated the technical and financial analyses into a comprehensive feasibility study and supported Winston Hydro in its discussions with Hydro-Québec, including the negotiation of the Power Purchase Agreement and proposed in-service date.
Services Provided
- Hydrology review
- Energy modeling with in-house as well as RETScreen models
- Assessment of generation capacity
- Tender process with turbine suppliers
- Financial analysis
- OPEX and CAPEX cost review
- Scheduling and permitting requirements
- Preparation of a Feasibility Study intended for Hydro-Québec
- Negotiation for Power Purchase Agreement
Team
Additional Resources
Printable project sheet