Federal Government Contributes to Matawak and Innavik Clean Energy Projects in Quebec
October 8, 2025
Indigenous and remote communities across Canada are taking action to invest in renewable energy projects, reduce reliance on fossil fuels and advance energy sovereignty.
On October 3rd, the federal government announced nearly $17 million in federal funding to support the 7.5-megawatt (MW) Innavik Remote Hydro Project, located in Inukjuak, and to explore the development of a 17-MW hydroelectric power plant at the site of the Matawin dam near St-Michel-des Saints, both in Quebec.
Innavik Remote Hydro Project
The Innavik Remote Hydro Project is a run-of-river hydropower facility that replaces reliance on diesel fuel for almost all Inukjuak’s energy needs. The Inuit-owned project is the largest off-grid hydropower facility in Canada and is expected to bring significant economic benefits to the 1,800 inhabitants of the community.
The Innavik Hydro Project is a medium-sized (7.5 MW) run-of-river hydro project that is being developed on the Innuksuac River. Once complete, the power generated by the project will replace the need for diesel generated power in Inukjuak. Innavik will produce enough energy to allow Inujuak to continue to grow for the next 40 years.
This means no more diesel generated electricity, and no more mazurkas for heating homes and hot water. Instead, Inukjuak’s homes will be powered by clean, renewable energy.
Innavik will:
- Offer 200+ person-years of employment during construction, including local Inuit jobs and contracted services,
- Create spin-off economic development opportunities during and after construction,
- Improve community air quality by eliminating pollution from diesel generators,
- Enhance food security in the community by powering a new greenhouse,
- Use project earnings to meet community social, educational, and traditional lifestyles needs of children, youth and elders, and
- Invest in economic entrepreneurship opportunities.
Innavik is now delivering power to Inukjuak residents. Based on the input of community members, the project has been designed to be sensitive to the local environment including: caribou, fisheries, and the river itself.
Matawak Hydroelectric Power Plant
The 17-MW, Indigenous-led Matawak Hydroelectric Power Plant project being explored at the Matawin dam site at the outlet of the Lac Taureau reservoir would help the community meet existing energy needs and contribute to the growing demand for clean, renewable energy while generating independent revenue for the Atikamekw Nation of Manawan and the Innu Nation of Lac-Saint-Jean.
A supply channel excavated in the rock would supply water to the two Kaplan turbine-generator units with a Saxo-type layout for an installed capacity of 17 MW.
The integration of the mini-power plant into Hydro-Québec’s grid would involve upgrading and modifying the network between the dam site and the Provost substation located in the municipality of Saint-Zénon, a length of approximately 45 km. Authorizations and integration work are the responsibility of Hydro-Québec.
Hydro-Québec promotes the development of projects that are 100% owned and controlled by communities by establishing a commercial framework that ensures long-term revenues for this type of project.
Project Details:
- 17 megawatts of power
- $110 million investment (estimate)
- Anticipated year of construction start: 2027
- Planned Year of Commissioning: 2029
Both projects support the Government of Canada’s commitment to lowering Canadians’ energy bills, creating more reliable and clean power, and fostering inclusive, respectful partnerships with Indigenous Peoples in the transition to a clean energy economy.
Associated links
- Innavik Hydroelectric Facility
- Clean Energy for Rural and Remote Communities Program
- Matawak Hydroelectric Power Plant
- Smart Renewables and Electrification Pathways Program
Quick facts
- The Innavik Remote Hydro Project received $14.9 million in funding through the Clean Energy for Rural and Remote Communities (CERRC) program, and the Matawak Hydroelectric Power Plant project received over $1.7 million in funding through the Smart Renewables and Electrification Pathways Program (SREPs).
- Launched in 2018 and recapitalized in 2021, the $453 million CERRC program has supported 229 projects nationally to reduce the reliance on diesel fuel for heat and power in Indigenous and remote communities, including capacity building initiatives, large capital projects, innovation projects and bioheat projects.
- The $4.5-billion Smart Renewables and Electrification Pathways Program is designed to support the deployment of grid modernization, energy storage and non-emitting generation in every region of Canada, helping to grow the grid in a sustainable, affordable and reliable manner.
- At 7.5 MW, the Innavik Remote Hydro Project is the largest commissioned project for the CERRC program to date and is the largest remote community-scale renewable energy project in Canada. It is a 50-50 partnership between the Pituvik Landholding Corporation, the development corporation for the Indigenous community of Inukjuak, and Innergex.
- Énergie Matawak aims to develop the hydroelectric potential of the Lac Taureau reservoir by building a mini-hydroelectric plant on the existing infrastructure of the Matawin dam operated by Hydro-Québec. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2026.
