Sarcelle powerhouses were designed to be partially constructed of concrete components pre- fabricated at an off- site location and then transported for assembly to the powerhouse site, an approach that enables tighter quality controls and allows for faster closing of the building envelope to provide shelter for the workers in severe weather. " The projects become more costly and more challenging because we are moving into increasingly remote areas," said Béchard. Such projects require construction of temporary workers' facilities and access roads, and require transporting materials over greater distances. More remote projects also often require the creation of new main transmission lines, which adds further costs. " There is a strong interest in finding more renewable energy projects in Canada and hydroelectric projects typically have a 100- year life span, so we are really taking care of the future needs of the province and the environment," Béchard concluded. the partial river diversion and other impacts. " The mitigation is extensive and in the end, the river will be maintained almost as it was before we diverted it," said Béchard. The expertise of SEBJ also means the ability to apply creative solutions to the many engineering and construction challenges that arise on a project. For instance, though most of the dams and dikes constructed in Quebec use a core of clay- based till, a lack of suitable material in the area of another project in development prompted SEBJ to explore an alternative technology. Borrowing a technique widely used in Europe, a dam was constructed with an asphalt concrete core to ensure it remains watertight. Mastering that technology will pay dividends in the future, as more Hydro- Québec projects move into areas where native soils do not include the type of till favored for creating watertight enclosures. Also, the superstructures of the Eastmain- 1- A and Hydro- Québec JANUARY 10 www. bus- ex. com 61

62 www. bus- ex. com JANUARY 10 Coastal Electric offers a complete electrical construction package for the commercial, industrial and institutional markets in the private and public sectors. President and CEO Kevin McKosky tells John O'Hanlon how vital it is to understand the official mind Corridors ofpower