Rio Tinto is making a major investment in the future of clean energy production in Quebec, partnering with GE Vernova to modernize eight turbine-alternator units at its nearly century-old Isle-Maligne hydropower plant in Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean.
As one of Canada’s largest private producers of hydroelectricity, Rio Tinto relies on the 12-unit Francis turbine facility to power five low-carbon aluminum smelters in the region. The upcoming upgrades are aimed at extending the plant’s life for decades, while enhancing performance and efficiency as electricity demand in Canada continues to rise.
Under the new agreement, GE Vernova will provide early-stage project support, engineering, and supply chain planning to help Rio Tinto reduce total cost of ownership and maintain an optimized construction schedule. The first unit is slated for modernization in 2026, with the full project expected to be completed by 2032.
The partnership builds on a pilot project completed last year, when GE Vernova upgraded one generator at the Isle-Maligne site. That pilot prompted both companies to adopt a more comprehensive, long-term approach for the remaining equipment.
Canada is preparing for electricity demand to double by 2050. With hydropower supplying around 60% of the country’s electricity, and the average plant now over 50 years old, upgrades like these will play a crucial role in maintaining clean, reliable power, the companies said.
The project also deepens a longstanding collaboration between Rio Tinto and GE Vernova, who have worked together on several hydroelectric facilities in Quebec, including the nearby Shipshaw plant.
Originally published in Factor This Power Engineering.