By Anne Stairs

An infrastructure improvement project planned by Hydro-Québec in the Brome-Missisquoi MRC has sparked controversy among local residents. The utility has proposed a large new substation near Sutton Junction, in the area around Mansville and Riddell roads.

However, Hydro-Québec is now believed to be considering an alternative location. Further details were not available before press time.

The proposed installation would be fed by a 120-kilovolt (kV) line and occupy 40,000 square meters — the equivalent of five Canadian football fields. It would be supported by 45-metre towers, roughly the height of a 15-storey building.

The project is part of a larger plan to build a network of five substations, each handling between 110 and 230 kV of electricity, replacing 11 existing substations that currently handle just 49 kV. The substations slated for removal include those in Knowlton and Sutton. Hydro says the total length of the major power lines feeding the new substations will be reduced to about 100 kilometers, down from the current 239 kilometers.

Hydro-Québec has not disclosed the planned route of the power lines to the proposed Mansville/Riddell location.

While many residents acknowledge that the current system is sometimes unreliable and needs improvement, they are concerned about the scale of the new substation and the visual and environmental impact of the accompanying towers. Area mayors, including Brome Lake’s Richard Burcombe, have voiced opposition to the proposed location.

Hydro-Québec has held two information meetings over the past nine months, and a third, in-person meeting was scheduled for the end of March.

Brian Herman, founder of the Mount Echo Conservation Association (MECA) and supporter of the Nature Conservancy, rejects speculation that the project is part of a plan to export hydro to the United States.

“The transmission lines are not designed for this purpose, and there is no infrastructure on the other side of the border,” Herman said.
“So why can’t the towers be smaller? Why put a substation in an eco-sensitive area and a source of Cowansville’s drinking water? Why destroy the scenic beauty [of the area]?”

Development consultant Peter Smale, of 3point Consultants, is leading an effort to hold Hydro-Québec accountable in the Sutton/Brome area. He has launched a website: https://www.askmorefromhq.com, which states:

“Let’s work together to build a strong network that will last for 100 years, but let’s do it in a way that is sustainable, smartly designed, and respectful of the environment and rural beauty of our region…”

Smale has met with local MNA Isabelle Charest and encourages residents to write to her. Thanks to the advocacy of the community and area mayors, Hydro-Québec has agreed to provide a written response to a list of questions compiled by the group and to participate in a working session to review the proposed plan with third-party experts.

According to Smale, the Brome substation proposal does not align with Hydro-Québec’s own Social Acceptability Framework or Biodiversity Strategy.
More information can be found in Hydro-Québec’s official strategy document:
Hydro-Québec Biodiversity Strategy 2022–2026 (PDF)