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 owner: Hydro-Québec
ASSESSMENT DETAILS
Assessment tool: Hydropower Sustainability Standard (HSS)
Assessment stage: Operation
Assessment date: 12 - 20 September 2022
ASSESSORS FOR THIS PROJECT
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 for the Assessment Report of Eastmain ended on 28 July 2023
