Alcoa reaches electricity deal with Hydro-Quebec

Alcoa and Hydro-Quebec have reached a long-term agreement that will see the multinational’s three smelters continue to get electricity from the provincially owned utility.

Alcoa had threatened last October to close its facilities in Quebec if Hydro-Quebec refused to lower its electricity rates.

The company did not release details of the electricity rates.

The agreement runs through 2030 for smelters in Becancour and Deschambault, and through 2036 for the smelter in Baie-Comeau.

Alcoa says the agreement will allow it to proceed with $250 million of planned investments at the smelters over the next five years.

Alcoa has about 3,000 employees in Quebec.