Hydro-Québec is pleased with the response rate on the public consultation on the energy transition and conversion of the Magdalen Islands' thermal power plant. The telephone survey of 750 citizens began Wednesday.

While it is too early to identify a winner amongst the six possible energy scenarios, Spokesperson Geneviève Cloutier makes no secret of the fact that the option of a wind farm in Bassin is getting attention on the consultation platform and on social networks.

Wind turbine simulation in Havre Aubert. Photo courtesy of Hydro Quebec.

She said that the alternative energy niches, on which the population is invited to comment on, are not yet at the project stage and that these are only technically feasible possibilities.

Cloutier invited Magdalen Islanders to express their views on all the scenarios:

The cost of supplying a submarine cable connection, one of the criteria used by Hydro-Quebec to select a connection, will only be revealed after the consultation which ends Nov. 20.

But Cloutier believes that Islanders have other, more relevant options that suit their energy reality to get an idea of the scenario that remains the preferred option for the Crown corporation.

Over the next weeks, Magdalen Islanders can go through Hydro-Québec's official platform, or write by e-mail, to ask questions or make comments that are forwarded to the experts and engineers on duty.