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Supply of natural gas in the Saguenay industrial port zone

A cleaner and more competitive energy supply to increase the industrial potential of the Saguenay industrial port zone (IPZ) and support the region’s economic growth.
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The project at a glance

At the request of its customer, BlackRock Metals, Énergir is currently evaluating an extension of its network in order to provide natural gas service to the mineral processing plant that the company is planning to construct in the Saguenay IPZ. The Port of Saguenay, which was designated as an IPZ by the government of Québec as part of the Québec Maritime Strategy, is not yet served by natural gas.
Access to natural gas, which is a competitive source of energy that emits fewer greenhouses gases (GHG) than petroleum products or coal, would help increase the industrial potential of the Saguenay IPZ and therefore contribute to the region’s economic development.

Environmental evaluation

In October 2018, the impact study for Énergir’s project to supply natural gas for the Saguenay industrial port zone (IPZ) was filed with the Ministère de l’Environnement et de la Lutte aux changements climatiques (MELCC). Under the MELCC’s environmental impact assessment and review procedure that applies to this project, the impact study serves as an overview of the project’s development process.

The goal of the project is to add a 13.8 km extension to Énergir’s existing natural gas network near Bagotville, so as to connect it to the Saguenay IPZ. The impact study identified the route that is optimal from environmental, human and technical perspectives; this route mostly follows the rail line owned by the Saguenay Port Authority.

For a more detailed summary of the impact study, please refer to the technical data sheet (in French).
The complete impact study can be viewed (in French) in the MELCC’s Registre des évaluations environnementales.

Public audiences by the Bureau d’audiences publiques en environnement were also held between July and November 2019. The report can be consulted here.

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Infrastructure required

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Gas network

Delivering natural gas

In 2017, Énergir completed a project aimed at reinforcing its transmission network in Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean. It was part of Énergir’s long-term plan, which included pursuing its development in the region. Since the gas network in Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean is 30 years old and given the increase in demand in recent years, it had become necessary to increase its capacity.

As a matter of fact, in the past few years, the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean community has repeatedly expressed an interest in seeing the region’s natural gas supply extended. Now that the current capacity of the gas network is increased, Énergir is in a good position to serve its current and future clients in the Saguenay IPZ as well as eventually respond to natural gas demand in the Lac-Saint-Jean region. Evaluations are currently taking place to assess needs in this area.

Natural gas

  • Natural gas is 95% methane (CH4).
  • Methane is produced in nature by living organisms and decomposing organic substances.
  • It is lighter than air and disperses into the atmosphere when released.
  • It is naturally odourless. We add mercaptan, a substance that releases a similar smell to rotten eggs, which makes it possible to detect it at very low concentrations in the air (less than 1%).
  • Natural gas is not toxic or water soluble.

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Advantages of natural gas

By replacing petroleum products and coal, natural gas helps to reduce greenhouse gases by 32%. Natural gas emits significantly fewer atmospheric pollutants and makes it possible to eliminate nearly all sulfur oxides (SOx) and nitrogen oxides (NOx), pollutants which are, among other things, responsible for acid rain and health problems.
  • 32% reduction in GHG
  • 99% reduction in SO2 emissions
  • 70% reduction in NOx emissions
  • 70% reduction in fine particulates
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Potential suppliers

In the event Énergir obtains all of the necessary authorizations to carry out its natural gas pipeline construction and installation, the company will be calling on the services of Québec suppliers to develop and build its facilities.

As such, Énergir would like to gather information on companies that would be interested in bidding for contracts in the various fields needed for the project.

To register your company in our database, please complete the form.

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Questions or comments?

Contact us

Énergir is committed to maintaining contact with the public and interested stakeholders. Questions and comments can be submitted at any time. We will respond to you in a timely manner.

1 877 758-1787


Projet.ZIPsaguenay@energir.com
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