Dominik Boudreault Lapierre
Project Director
Stéphanie Fortin
Environmental and Social Communication Lead and Project Director
Wind power project development in Québec is evolving rapidly. The new Environmental Impact Assessment and Review Process (EIARP) and Hydro-Québec’s 2026 wind energy call for tenders send a similar signal to developers: project success is now determined at the earliest stages of design.
Although they stem from different frameworks, both are based on the same logic. They require projects to be better defined, better documented, and more firmly rooted in their environment before they are formally submitted.
Two frameworks, one shared logic
On one hand, the new EIARP introduces a more structured notice of intent, which requires documenting impacts, identifying key issues, and demonstrating consultation efforts from the very beginning of the process.
On the other hand, the wind energy call for tenders requires developers to submit a Project Strategic Planning Report (PSPR), including a documented social acceptability strategy and consultations carried out even before bids are submitted.
In both cases, the logic is the same: projects can no longer be gradually defined over time. They must be solid and well-structured at the time of submission.
A shift in effort… and in risk
This shift does not simplify project development; rather, it redistributes requirements earlier in the timeline.
Developers must structure their projects sooner, integrate key issues from the earliest stages, and better document their decisions throughout development.
This shift is strategic, as issues that were previously addressed later in the process are now entry conditions to the system.
As a result, poorly prepared or insufficiently documented projects will face challenges from the outset.
What this changes for wind energy projects
This convergence between the EIARP and the call for tenders reinforces a broader trend: project quality is no longer assessed solely on technical characteristics, but also on the ability to plan a project’s integration into its environment.
To succeed, developers must build a deep understanding of local contexts, anticipate concerns and issues, build trust-based relationships with communities, and ensure consistency between project design and its implementation setting.
Planning differently to secure projects
In this new context, planning becomes a strategic lever.
The best-prepared projects will be those that initiate engagement early, clearly structure their issues, and integrate communities into the design process.
A new stage for wind energy projects
The combination of the new EIARP and the 2026 call for tenders spans beyond an evolution of rules and marks a transformation in how projects are developed.
Success now depends as much on the ability to design a project adapted to its environment as on its technical performance.
For developers, the message is clear: better upstream planning not only ensures compliance with requirements, but also reduces risks in later stages of development.
A wind project in development?
Contact our team to discuss your planning in the context of the new process.
To learn more, read our latest blog posts:
New EIARP: impacts on consultation processes
Wind power call for tenders: social acceptability as a prerequisite
Dominik Boudreault Lapierre
Project Director
Versatile and results-driven, Dominik supports project promoters navigating complex social, environmental and territorial contexts. His work centers on durable solutions and on building the conditions that support the social acceptability of projects.
Stéphanie Fortin
Environmental and Social Communication Lead and Project Director
Stéphanie Fortin brings over 20 years of experience as a manager, public affairs strategist, crisis manager, and community relations professional. Clients value her expertise, her sharp judgment, and her ability to deliver results.