Opponents of TES Canada’s 130 wind turbines fear that their source of drinking water would be in danger if one drills into the ground around their house, which the company denies, calling this fear unfounded.
“When they go to do the piling, the risk of contamination linked to the water is enormous. How is a house without drinking water worth it?” plague Guy Dessureault, 66 years old, fourth generation farmer from Saint-Narcisse, Chenaux county. In the area, more than 80 wells are used to supply citizens sometimes far from the centers.
“They can put the wind turbine 30 meters from my well. I can’t sleep. I have a hard time getting through my days at work,” worries Sylvie Dessureault, who has had calves and horses for three generations in Batiscanie.
Sylvie Dessureault fears that her well is compromised. Photo provided by Sylvie Dessureault
“They are going to dig a trench from one wind turbine to another. It will damage the drains,” says Luc Gervais, co-owner of Ferme Germec and municipal councilor in Hérouxville.
“I said no to four wind turbines because it is a private company that wants to establish itself on my land,” denounces Luc Gervais, co-owner of Ferme Germec and municipal councilor in Hérouxville. Photo provided by Luc Gervais
“They took measurements in front of us, 100 feet away,” says Gaétan Cossette, a 69-year-old resident of Hérouxville, who has been on his farm for three generations.
“I find myself having to endure the presence of a monster in front of my home. If you have wind turbines in front of your house, it’s valuable, but your property has just fallen by half,” laments Gaétan Cossette, resident of Hérouville. Photo provided by Gaétan Cossette
One March 2023, The Journal reported that a Belgian firm, co-founded by France Chrétien-Desmarais, was lobbying for energy from Quebec. Today, the project is moving forward, not without clashes in several communities.
«Des airs de Northvolt»
So far, TES Canada has enough lots to plant about 130 wind turbines. However, it is still unknown where they will appear.
For Isabelle Clément, councilor in Hérouxville, it is shocking to see that a handful of people, who sometimes do not live in the area, will impose these wind turbines of discord.
“Experts don’t even agree on the viability of the project. It looks like Northvolt or Lion Électrique,” she says, referring to researcher Johanne Whitmore from the Chair of Energy Sector Management at HEC Montreal, who openly criticized the profitability of the project.
“I am 73 years old. I have always lived in Hérouxville, but wind turbines of this size on our agricultural land are nonsense,” laments Yvan Bordeleau.
Photo provided by Yvan Bordeleau
TES Canada defends itself
For its part, TES Canada defends itself by saying that wind turbines are safe for underground water sources and that separation distances are already planned.
“Groundwater is an important element that was characterized from the start of the project. We will respect the strictest standards during construction and operation to ensure the protection of surface and underground water intakes,” assures TES Canada.
Last April, “Le Journal” told the story of Jean Guilbert, a dairy producer from Saint-Maurice, who opposes TES Canada wind turbines in his town. Photo Francis Halin
“Each wind turbine location will be studied carefully as part of our impact study and will be examined before the BAPE, always with the aim of protecting water supply sources,” we add.
Table provided by TES Canada
Table provided by TES Canada
Supportive farmers
TES Canada also reminds us that there are not only opponents.
“We’re talking about a $5 billion project, it’s not trivial,” said Claude Baril, a retired entrepreneur from Grandes-Piles, a 10-minute drive away.
“What caught my attention was decarbonization. As a farmer, I am experiencing quite significant problems with climate change,” concludes Daniel Allard, a farmer from Sainte-Thècle, about thirty kilometers further.
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