Eastmain-1 Development

Project details

Project name: Eastmain-1 Development

Project location: Québec, Canada

Installed capacity: Eastmain-1 (480 MW) and Bernard-Landry (768 MW), total of 1,248 MW

Project developer/owner: Hydro-Québec

Status: Certified Gold

Assessment details

Assessment tool: Hydropower Sustainability Standard

Assessment stage: Operation

Assessment date: Interviews (May-September 2022) and site visit (September 2022)

Assessment overview

The assessment report highlights the Eastmain-1 Development’s effective management of environmental and social impacts, with specific areas of success identified in biodiversity and invasive species, labour and working conditions, cultural heritage, governance and procurement, and hydrological resources.

Collaborating with Cree communities to identify emerging issues, the project has supported traditional land use, delivering significant socio-economic benefits to the affected indigenous communities. Hydro-Québec maintains sound corporate structures, policies, and practices, emphasising transparency, integrity, and accountability at all levels, while stakeholder satisfaction is achieved through a consensus-oriented communication approach and availability of information. Negative impacts on livelihoods and public health arising from the project are effectively managed, and voluntary measures are implemented across multiple topics that go beyond mitigating impact. It should also be noted that the assessment included observers from Canadian and international civil society organisations.

The public consultation period ended on 28 July 2023.

Additional information on comments and engagement with Indigenous communities.

Results diagram