In June 2010, the project for the Ouiatchouan River small hydroelectric station, in the tourism area of the Village Historique de Val-Jalbert, has been accepted under the program to purchase 150 MW of electricity from hydroelectric power stations of 50 MW or less initiated by Hydro-Québec Distribution.

With an installed capacity of just over 16 megawatts, the station over water is located at the base of the Ouiatchouan falls. The project value is over $53 million and the total economic impact is estimated at nearly $85 million, including $59.2 million specifically for the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region.

Revenues from these projects come from a 20-year electricity sales agreement with Hydro-Québec Distribution at the price of $0.075 per kWh. Under the terms of the agreement, which may be renewed for another 20 year period, the expected index is set at a fixed rate of 2.5% per year and applicable since the announcement in 2010.

Pekuakamiulnuatsh Takuhikan is the main sponsor of the Société Énergie Hydroélectrique Ouiatchouan, responsible for the project's construction and exploitation phases, with 45% of the shares. The Maria-Chapdelaine RCM (22.5%), the Domaine-du-Roy RCM (22.5%) and the municipality of Chambord (10%), the other sponsors are located in the same area as the project site.  An estimate of about 91 million dollars cash flow generated with the partners at the end of the first 25 years of exploitation. The revenue generated will be placed in dedicated economic development funds to be used to support the development of other promising projects in their respective communities.
 
This structural project also focuses on the site's integrity of the Village Historique de Val Jalbert helping to enrich its educational and tourism value on an international scale. It also ensures its continuance through an agreement that will allow the Corporation du Parc Régional de Val-Jalbert, which administers the historic village, achieving guaranteed royalties on an annual basis during the first 20 years of the agreement for a total $6.6 million at the end of the term. Over the subsequent 20 years, an additional $ 13.2 million will be as royalties.

The project's construction phase began in February of 2013. The commercial launch has been February 6 2015.
 

Project summary