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Hydro-Québec at its Roots

Aerial view of Shawinigan that shows the bay, the falls and three hydro-electric power plants. In the distance is the city centre and the Cité de l’énergie tower that stands on an island in the middle of the river.

Hydro-Québec

Shawinigan is one of the few cities in Canada to produce electricity continuously since 1901. The Shawinigan complex bears witness to the technological evolution of hydro-electricity production over the past century. Ten power plants were built on its site, including three on the small Shawinigan River. There are few places in North America where so many plants have been built on a single site.

This industrial history is on display at the Cité de l’énergie, a museum complex that opened to the public in 1997. This museum has a multimedia show, interactive exhibits, and a 115-metre observation tower that was built from an old pylon.