Robert-Bourassa generating station is located in Baie-James, Quebec, Canada. With an installed capacity of 5,616 MW, the power station is the largest hydroelectric power station in Canada.
Formerly known as La Grande-2, it is a hydroelectric power station La Grande River is part of Quebec Hydro’s James Bay project in Canada. Its 16 units were gradually put into use between 1979 and 1981.
The Robert-Bourassa generating station itself is located 137.2 meters (450 feet) underground, 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) downstream of the dam. It accommodates 16 Francis turbines, divided into two groups, each with 8 units.
It total cost abuot C$3.8 billion ( about US $3 billion ) in 1970s.
Building
The main dam is located in the transition zone between the plateau and the coastal plain, 117.5 kilometers (73.0 miles) from the mouth of the river, and has a maximum height of 162 meters (531 feet).
The power station itself is located 137.2 meters (450 feet) underground, 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) downstream of the dam.
It accommodates 16 Francis turbines, divided into two groups, each with eight units. With an installed capacity of 5,616 megawatts, it is the largest power station owned by Quebec Hydropower.
Dams and embankments
Robert-Bourassa Dam is 117.5 kilometers (73.0 miles) from the mouth of the La Grande River and is located in the transition zone between the Laurentian Plateau (elevated Canadian shield) and the coastal plain.
It has a maximum height of 162 meters (531 feet) and a length of 2,836 meters (9,304 feet) at the crest.
In order to maintain the reservoir at its working height of 175.3 meters (575 feet), 29 dams were enclosed around the reservoir at various locations.
Reservoir
The Robert-Bourassa Reservoir covers 32,480 square kilometers (12,540 square miles). Of the total capacity of 61.4 cubic kilometers (49,800,000 acre-feet), approximately 19.365 cubic kilometers (15,699,000 acre-feet) are active or available for power generation. Due to its huge scale, it inhabits various aquatic animals and plants.
Spillway
The spillway is near the northern end of the main dam and is part of the D-4 embankment. It consists of a concrete control structure and an artificial waterfall, which drains into a static pool below the dam.
The spillway has eight 12.2 meters (40 feet) wide gates separated by 4.3 meters (14 feet) thick columns. The gate is opened and closed by a winch to control leakage.
Robert-Bourassa Generating Station Data
- Country
- Canada
- Region
- North America
- Status
- In use
- Official name
- Centrale Robert-Bourassa
- Other name(s)
- La Grande-2
- Location
- Baie-James, Quebec, Canada
- Owner(s)
- Hydro-Québec
- Cost
- C$3.8 billion ( about US $3 billion )
- Began
- 1974
- Opened
- 1981
- Building height
- 531 ft (162 m )
- Total Length
- 9301 ft (2835 m )
- Surface elevation
- 175 m (574 ft)
- Type of dam
- Embankment dam
- Spillway capacity
- 17,600 m³/s (621,538 cu ft/s)
- Installed capacity
- 5616
- Turbines
- 16 × 351 MW Francis turbines
- River
- La Grande River
- Reservoi name
- Robert-Bourassa Reservoir
- Total capacity
- 61.7 km³ (50,000,000 acre⋅ft)
- Reservoir area
- 2,835 km² (1,095 sq mi)
- Maximum water depth
- 137 m (449 ft)
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