Biomass Cogeneration Facility to Replace Diesel Energy Source and Create Jobs in Atikamekw of Opitciwan First Nation
August 1, 2025
- 4.8-megawatt biomass plant will ensure long-term energy security and foster economic development for the Atikamekw of Opitciwan community
- Facility will cut use of 4.6 million litres of diesel annually and prevent frequent power outages
- Will support 40 jobs during construction and 15 direct and indirect full-time jobs during operations
- $24 million loan investment from Canada Infrastructure Bank
Onimiskiw Opitciwan Limited Partnership will construct and operate the 4.8-megawatt Centrale de cogénération d’Opitciwan, in the Northern Quebec First Nation, Atikamekw of Opitciwan. The community’s energy transition is aimed at significantly reducing diesel as its primary energy source. The facility will generate electricity by burning bark, sawdust and woodchips produced by an adjacent sawmill. Additionally, steam from the new energy plant will power a new wood kiln at the sawmill.
The project will bring significant health and environmental benefits for the community of 2,500 members by reducing nitrogen oxide and sulphur dioxide emissions from the current diesel-based energy generation. The sustainable energy initiative will cut more than 11,000 tonnes of emissions and reduce the use of diesel by 4.6 million litres annually.
The project could serve as a model to support other Indigenous communities in Quebec and across Canada by reducing their reliance on diesel as their primary energy source, through the integration of renewable sources.
The new power plant will support 40 jobs during construction and 15 direct and indirect full-time jobs during operations. The facility is designed to accommodate community growth, including the capacity to support future housing development.
The Centrale de cogénération d’Opitciwan, along with a new substation and battery energy storage system built by Hydro-Quebec, will significantly improve the stability of community’s independent electrical network, which currently experiences frequent power outages.
