The current high price of electricity in US markets is spawning new ideas to resurrect once abandoned projects. The US$8.6B Great Whale project which envisages the development of the Great Whale river was shelved by Hydro-Quebec in 1994, due to objections by the Cree who occupy the lands that would be affected by the project.
Reports claim that Toronto-based Amec (formerly AGRA) has proposed that Great Whale be developed as a project owned by the Cree. Amec proposes to design, arrange financing and retain ownership until the Cree pays off their debt.
The new proposal, which is somewhat different from the original proposal by Hydro-Quebec, aims to divert the Great Whale river through 10km of canals to Hydro-Quebec's existing La Grande complex.
