As it injects over $218 million per year in wages, taxes and the purchase of goods and services, the Alcoa smelter in Baie-Comeau is a major player in the region’s economy. The modernization project offers the opportunity to consolidate Alcoa’s presence and its role as a leader within the community.

Actors and stakeholders

Let us underline the contribution of those who made this modernization project possible at the Baie-Comeau aluminum smelter.

• Department of Natural Resources and Wildlife
• Department of Economic Development, Innovation and Export Trade
• Department of Finance
• City of Baie-Comeau
• Regional County Municipality (MRC) of Manicouagan
• Baie-Comeau/Manicouagan Chamber of Commerce

The contribution of the Government of Québec to this project is in the form of an interest-free loan guarantee of $228 million, and the allocation, by Hydro-Québec, of an additional power block of 175 MW at the applicable Rate L.

A winning partnership

In Québec, the development of hydroelectric power and of aluminum have progressed hand in hand for several decades. This decisive partnership has led the province to occupy an enviable position on a global scale in both industries. In fact, Québec now ranks third in the line-up of primary metal aluminum producers in the world, with its annual production of 3 million tons, including 1 million produced by Alcoa.

The project in numbers

• Investment of $1.2 billion US
• Creation of 6,800 job-years during the construction phase
• Economic spin-offs of $540 million
• A manpower development fund of $5 million