At the beginning of the Nineties, Pekuakamiulnuatsh Takuhikan creates the Hydro-Ilnu Company in the tread of a public invitation to tender launched by the company of Hydro-Quebec state for the purchase of electricity coming from small hydroelectric power stations of less than 25 MW. The Hydro-Ilnu is located above the Mistassibi River where it was converted into the Minashtuk small hydroelectric station.

Located in proximity to the town of Dolbeau-Mistassini, in Lac-Saint-Jean, on the ancestral Nitassinan territory, the Minashtuk hydroelectric station has been exploiting energy from the river since May of 2000.  It cost approximately $25 million to build and has a capacity of 9.9 MW. Even if the selected site offered a potential of higher production, Pekuakamiulnuatsh Takuhikan was a pioneer in sustainable development by finding a balance between the integration of both the social and environmental aspects of the project instead of economics alone. They therefore selected a project where the rising water levels will not overflow in the spring, in respect of their profound environmental values. This choice has also positively influenced the social responsibility of the project without compromise to profitability.

The bill of sale was signed with Hydro-Québec in 2000. For a period of 20 years and renewable for another 20 years to come. The operation of the station provides employment to three individuals.
 

Project summary