Caisse de dépôt et de placement du Québec closed a $90 million term loan financing as part of the construction of the Mont Sainte-Marguerite wind farm project, located in the Chaudière-Appalaches region of Canada.

This project, developed by Pattern Energy Group, in partnership with the municipalities of Sacré-Coeur-de-Jésus, Saint-Sylvestre and Saint-Séverin, includes the development and operation of a wind farm of 46 wind turbines. Once in operation, it will have a total capacity of 147 megawatts, the equivalent consumption of more than 25,000 Québec households. The power generated will be sold to Hydro-Québec under a 25-year power purchase agreement.

“As a long-term investor, la Caisse is constantly seeking financing opportunities that generate stable, lasting returns. In addition to contributing to the development of clean and renewable energy, the Mont Sainte-Marguerite wind power project will have a positive impact on the regional economy,” said Marc Cormier, EVP, Fixed Income at la Caisse.

The loan provided for the Mont Sainte-Marguerite wind power project confirms la Caisse’s position as one of the largest private investors in North America’s wind power sector. In Québec, it has already financed four other wind farm projects: Parc des Moulins (Chaudières-Appalaches), Vents du Kempt (Bas-Saint-Laurent), the construction of the Parcs éoliens de la Seigneurie de Beaupré (Capitale-Nationale) and the New Richmond wind farm (Gaspésie).

La Caisse also has a major interest in Invenergy and its portfolio of wind farms in Canada and the U.S., whose generation capacity exceeds 5,000 MW. Globally, la Caisse is also a major shareholder in London Array, the largest offshore wind farm in the world.

Montreal-based Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec is a long-term institutional investor that manages funds primarily for public and parapublic pension and insurance plans.