Robert-Bourassa generating station

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Robert-Bourassa generating station
Official name	Centrale Robert-Bourassa
Location	Baie-James, Quebec, Canada
Coordinates	53°47′43″N 77°26′26″W / 53.79528°N 77.44056°W / 53.79528; -77.44056
Construction began	1974
Opening date	1981
Construction cost	C$3.8 billion (1987)
Owner(s)	Hydro-Québec
Dam and spillways
Type of dam	Embankment dam
Impounds	La Grande River
Height	162 m (531 ft)
Length	2,835 m (9,301 ft)
Width (crest)	9 m (30 ft)
Spillway capacity	17,600 m3/s (621,538 cu ft/s)
Reservoir
Creates	Robert-Bourassa Reservoir
Total capacity	61.7 km3 (50,000,000 acre⋅ft)
Surface area	2,835 km2 (1,095 sq mi)
Power Station
Hydraulic head	137.2 m (450 ft)
Turbines	16 × 351 MW Francis turbines
Installed capacity	5,616 MW
Capacity factor	63%
Annual generation	31,000 GWh (110,000 TJ)
Sources: * Société d'énergie de la Baie James 1987, pp. 117–180, 370*Hydro-Québec, The La Grande Complex visitor booklet, 2004, ISBN 2-550-41276-1

The Robert-Bourassa generating station, formerly known as La Grande-2 (LG-2), is a hydroelectric power station on the La Grande River that is part of Hydro-Québec's James Bay Project in Canada. The station can generate 5,616 MW and its 16 units were gradually commissioned between 1979 and 1981.^[1] Annual generation is in the vicinity of 26500 GWh.^[2]

Together with the adjacent 2,106 MW La Grande-2-A generating station (LG-2-A), commissioned in 1991–1992, it uses the reservoir and dam system of the Robert-Bourassa Reservoir to generate electricity. The two plants taken together account for more than 20% of Hydro-Québec's total installed capacity of 36,810 MW in 2009.^[1] It is Canada's largest hydroelectric power station, ranks in 15th place on the list of largest hydroelectric power stations and is the world's largest underground power station.^[3]

Initially known as La Grande-2, it was renamed after Robert Bourassa who, as Premier of Quebec (1970–1976 and 1985–1994) gave the James Bay Project a vital political impetus.