MONTREAL, Jan. 25, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ - Boralex Inc. ("Boralex"), Gaz Métro Limited partnership ("Gaz Métro") and Valener Inc. ("Valener") are delighted that the Québec Ministry of Sustainable Development, Environment, Wildlife and Parks has issued the environmental authorization for the Seigneurie de Beaupré - 4 wind farm, a project with an installed capacity of 68 MW located in the Côte-de-Beaupré region.
"Receiving this authorization demonstrates, once again, the quality of the Seigneurie de Beaupré wind power site, as well as our commitment to developing the project in a respectful manner that addresses the concerns of the community which has welcomed us," noted Patrick Lemaire, President and Chief Executive Officer of Boralex, and Sophie Brochu, President and Chief Executive Officer of Gaz Métro. "In fact, after the BAPE environmental approval hearings, the consortium took into account the issues raised by stakeholders and will keep them front and centre as the project is being built."
With the environmental approval stage now behind them, the developers can move ahead with the applications for construction permits and arranging financing with financial institutions.
The Seigneurie de Beaupré wind farms are divided into two phases: a first 272 MW phase that will start up by late 2013 and a second 68 MW phase, for which construction will start as soon as possible now that the authorization has been received from the Ministry. Located on land owned by the Séminaire de Québec, 15 km north of St-Tite-des-caps and 60 km northeast of Quebec City, these projects will generate enough electricity to supply more than 60,000 households.
For more information, please visit the Seigneurie de Beaupré wind farms site at: www.seigneuriedebeaupre.com
About the Seigneurie de Beaupré Wind Farms
The Seigneurie de Beaupré Wind Farms, with a total contracted capacity of 365 MW, are as of today the largest wind power project in development in Canada. The first phase of 272 MW (Farms 2 & 3), which is expected to start up in late 2013, and the second phase of 68 MW (Farm 4), which is expected to start operating in late 2014, represent the projects of the Boralex and Gaz Métro/Valener consortium. In addition, the 25 MW Côte-de-Beaupré wind farm built by Boralex in partnership with the Côte-de-Beaupré RCM is expected to start up in 2015.
About Boralex
Boralex is a power producer whose core business is dedicated to the development and the operation of renewable energy power stations. Currently, the Corporation operates an asset base with an installed capacity of almost 500 MW in Canada, the Northeastern United States and France. Boralex is also committed under power development projects, both independently and with Canadian and European partners, to add approximately 550 MW of power that will be put in service between 2013 and 2015. With more than 200 employees, Boralex is known for its diversified expertise and in-depth experience in four power generation types — wind, hydroelectric, thermal and solar. Boralex's shares and convertible debentures are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the ticker symbols BLX and BLX.DB, respectively. More information is available at www.boralex.com or www.sedar.com.
Certain statements contained in this press release, including those regarding future results and performance, are forward-looking statements based on current expectations. The accuracy of such statements is subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions that may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected, including, but not limited to, the general impact of economic conditions, raw material price increases and availability, currency fluctuations, volatility in electricity selling prices, the company's financing capacity, negative changes in general market conditions and regulations affecting the industry, as well as other factors listed in the Company's filings with different securities commissions.
There can be no assurance as to the materialization of the results, performance or achievements as expressed or implied by forward-looking statements. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. Unless required to do so under applicable securities legislation, Boralex management does not assume any obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect new information, future events or other changes.
About Gaz Métro and Valener
With more than $5 billion in assets, Gaz Métro is a leading energy provider. It is the largest natural gas distribution company in Quebec, where its 10,000 km underground network of pipelines serves 300 municipalities and more than 185,000 customers. Gaz Métro is also present in Vermont, producing electricity and distributing electricity and natural gas to cater to the needs to some 300,000 customers. Gaz Métro is actively involved in the development of innovative, sustainability-oriented energy projects such as the production of wind power, the use of natural gas as a transportation fuel and the development of biomethane as a renewable energy source. Gaz Métro is committed to ensuring the satisfaction of its customers, providing support to businesses, local organizations, families and communities, and meeting the needs of its partners (Gaz Métro inc. and Valener) and employees. www.gazmetro.com
Valener owns an economic interest of approximately 29% in Gaz Métro. Valener therefore has a stake in the energy industry and benefits from Gaz Métro's diversified profile, both in terms of geography and business segment. Valener also owns a 24.5% indirect interest in the wind power projects jointly developed with Gaz Métro and Boralex Inc. on the private lands of Séminaire de Québec. Valener's common shares and preferred shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the "VNR" trading symbol for common shares and under the "VNR.PR.A" symbol for Series A preferred shares. www.valener.com
Certain statements contained in this press release may be forward-looking pursuant to applicable securities laws. Such forward-looking statements reflect the intentions, plans, expectations and opinions of the management (the "Management") of Gaz Métro inc. and are based on information currently available to Management and assumptions about future events. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors outside Valener or Gaz Métro's control. A number of factors could cause actual results of Valener and Gaz Métro to differ materially from the current expectations as expressed in the forward-looking statements.
Although these forward-looking statements are based upon what Management believes to be reasonable assumptions, Valener and Gaz Métro cannot assure investors that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release, and Valener and Gaz Métro assume no obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances, except as required pursuant to applicable securities laws. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The complete version of the cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements as well as a description of the relevant assumptions and risk factors likely to affect Valener's and Gaz Métro's actual results are included in the Management's Discussion and Analysis for the year ended September 30, 2012 of Valener and Gaz Métro, and in Valener's disclosure filings. These documents are available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
SOURCE: BORALEX INC.
Media
Patricia Lemaire
Director, Publics Affairs and Communications
Boralex Inc.
514 985-1353
[email protected]
Stéphanie Trudeau
Vice-président, Sustainable development,
Public and Governmental Affairs
Gaz Métro
514 598-3015
Investor Relations
Marc Jasmin
Boralex Inc.
514 284-9868
[email protected]
Caroline Warren
Senior Advisor, Investor Relations
Gaz Métro
514 598-3324
[email protected]
Share this article