Cascades Plants Recognized by Hydro-Québec

Our facilities in Kingsey Falls, Jonquière, Cabano and Candiac recently became members of Hydro-Québec’s EcoElectric network. The network is made up of a group of major corporations recognized for their leadership and outstanding performance in energy efficiency. Our Cascades Lupel plant, located in Trois-Rivières, which also received this recognition, has been a member of the network for several years.

Recognition requirements

To obtain the honour, a facility must reduce energy consumption by at least 5% over five years through projects carried out jointly with Hydro-Québec. In addition, plants must have an energy efficiency policy and employees that oversee the policy.

Our plants honoured by Hydro-Québec carried out 53 projects, reducing our energy consumption by more than 3 800 kW (5 100 HP), or the equivalent of the amount of energy consumed by 1 250 Québec households! These projects generate savings of more than $1.5 million for Cascades’ Québec energy bill at the corporate rate.

It is important to note that a number of additional measures to improve electrical systems were put in place without the involvement of Hydro-Québec, and that these are not reflected in the data.

Typical projects include installing variable speed drive systems on motors, improving lighting systems and the performance of compressed air systems, and establishing bypass measures or improving the control of these measures.

The recognition received is all the more satisfying since electricity represents approximately 30% of Cascades’ energy needs and more than 50% of its energy bill.

The 53 projects are part of a total of 76 measures carried out by Cascades in collaboration with Hydro-Québec, making Cascades its biggest partner in energy efficiency projects.