Citizens of Brome-Missisquoi
ask more of Hydro-Québec

Unveiling of the 69 kV project: A realistic and responsible alternative to Hydro-Québec’s 120 kV project

June 12, 2025
Updated June 18, 2025

On June 6, Sutton Mayor Robert Benoît, along with representatives of citizen groups from Sutton, Brome, Lac-Brome, Cowansville and Dunham, publicly presented the outline of an alternative project to Hydro-Québec’s Brome project, which involves the construction of a 120 kV power line supported by pylons 40 to 45 meters high.

Faced with this controversial project – which has since its introduction sparked massive opposition due to its environmental, social, and economic impacts – the region’s citizens and elected officials have joined forces to design a more territorially friendly, more energy-efficient, and socially acceptable solution: the 69 kV project.

A solution rooted in the territory and its realities

Map of Brome Project study area – Click for larger image – Image: Hydro Québec

Unlike Hydro-Québec, which has so far proposed only one option (the 120 kV line), the citizens of Brome-Missisquoi have taken the initiative to develop a solution better suited to the landscape and demographics of their region. Their proposal builds on existing infrastructure and minimizes disruption.

The 69 kV project offers numerous tangible benefits for the municipalities involved:

• Dunham: No new corridors or new high-voltage lines within its territory.
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• Cowansville: Moderate expansion of the existing substation in an industrial zone, avoiding residential and commercial development areas.
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• Bromont, Brigham, East Farnham: No impact, no new infrastructure planned.
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• Brome, Brome Lake, Sutton: Use of existing corridors, no new 120 kV lines, little or no additional visual impact.

Significantly reduced visual and environmental impact

The 69 kV project relies on more discreet structures:

• Support height: 16 to 20 meters (compared to 40 to 45 meters for 120 kV pylons).
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• Spacing between supports: 150-200 meters (69 kV) compared to 300 meters (120 kV).
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• Reduced ground area: Foundations occupy approximately 4 m² compared to 25 m² per 120 kV support.
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• Affected agricultural land: 4 m² compared to 64 m² per support—a significant reduction.
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• Deforestation: Up to 42% fewer forests to be felled (over 60 acres less), limited to the areas around existing corridors.

Once the new line is built, the old line would be dismantled and the rights-of-way rehabilitated.

Optimizing existing positions: a logic of efficiency

Unlike Hydro-Québec’s project, which plans to close the Sutton and Lac-Brome distribution stations and replace them with a huge new 15-acre station, the 69 kV project proposes to maintain and modernize the existing stations:

• Sutton and Lac-Brome: addition of two 69/25 kV transformers per substation, on a right-of-way measuring approximately 50 x 50 m. The existing structures would then be dismantled.
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• Cowansville: expansion of the current substation on an adjacent lot (70 x 70 m), with the addition of two 120/69 kV transformers to ensure redundancy.
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• Stukely: similar scenario in Cowansville, with conversion of the existing substation to 120/69 kV.

A more rational network configuration

A continuous loop configuration option for the 69 kV networks (Sutton and Lac-Brome) is suggested to improve resilience in the event of an outage. This would avoid “overhead” lines without alternative power supply – a practice consistent with North American reliability standards.

Furthermore, unlike the 69 kV project, the 120 kV project involves complex underground connections from substations far from village centers, with an estimated cost of $3.5 to $5 million per kilometre, or up to $50 million for 10 km.

Towards a local and integrated energy transition

Sutton is already engaged in decentralized production with solar projects developed in collaboration with Innergex, as well as a microgrid planned with Hydro-Québec to improve the village’s resilience. These initiatives reduce consumption and increase local electrical autonomy. Many residents also participate in Hydro-Québec initiatives such as HILO.

A collaboration opportunity for Hydro-Québec

The 69 kV project represents a unique opportunity for Hydro-Québec to partner for an innovative, coherent, and coordinated project. One that integrates renewable generation, intelligent consumption management, and optimization of existing infrastructure.

In line with the value of social acceptability, Hydro-Québec states openly as an important consideration in all its actions, the elected officials and citizens of Brome-Missisquoi are calling for an open dialogue and a fair comparison of the two scenarios. This transparency would be a sign of responsible leadership and respect for local communities.

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MEETING POSTPONED TO A LATER DATE

The public, media and elected officials from across the Brome-Missisquoi region are invited to a presentation of the 69 kV project on Friday, June 20, at 6:30 pm at École De La Clé-Des-Champs, 3858 Rue Principale, Dunham, QC J0E 1M0.

Demand More from Hydro-Québec is a citizens’ group concerned about Hydro-Québec’s Brome Project.

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