Hydroelectric development
After the nationalization of our electricity network, a long period of uncertainty followed for our power plant.
In 1955, a ministerial decree establishing the obligation to purchase electrical energy produced by independent producers clarified the framework for exercising the Profession.
This measure would be a real springboard for our family, allowing it to experience a second wind with the conquest of the Savoyard rivers.
In 1958, Louis-Albert Convert and his two partners, Paul and Louis-Philippe, undertook the construction of the Saint-Rémy-de-Maurienne power plants in Savoie.
Article from the Savoie heritage section no. 44 2019
In 1965, Louis-Albert Convert, Joseph Chaussin and Pierre Chambaud created the company Forces Motrices du Gelon – FMG – and undertook the development of the La Rochette Power Plant (Savoie) on the Gelon.
Louis-Albert Convert and his team
Mr Louis-Albert Convert 1914-2005
The Pelton group of the FMG power plant in La Rochette.
Led by Mr. Christophe Convert for thirty-five years, the FMG group now has 5 subsidiaries, operates 9 hydroelectric power plants from 0.1 to 5 MW for a net power of 11 MW
M. Christophe Convert
Mr. Joseph Convert joined the group in 2016.
As Managing Director, he is dedicated to the operation of power plants and to hydroelectric and solar development in France and internationally.
M. Joseph Convert
Canada
From 1990, FMG participated, in partnership with Mr. Bernard Lemaire, President of the Cascades group, in the development policy of small hydroelectric power plants promoted by the Province of Quebec government.
The encounter with Mr. Bernard Lemaire, passionate about energy issues, was made possible by the fact that the Cascades group was then the owner of the La Rochette cardboard mill, with which FMG had a long-standing relationship.
The new partnership, which also includes the Triol family, a hydroelectric producer in France, began in 1993 with the rehabilitation of the East Angus power plant on the Saint-François River -2.5 MW-.
The East Angus power station was thus the first achievement of what would become Boralex, leader in the production of hydraulic, wind and solar electricity in North America and Europe.
In 1994, the partnership won the Quebec government’s call for tenders for the rehabilitation of the Beauport power plant on the Montmorency River -5MW-. This plant will come into service in 1995.
Cover of a Boralex activity report
Joseph Convert, Bernard Lemaire and his partner, Richard Lemaire, at the Gelon power plant.
East Angus power plant Canada province of Quebec 1993
East Angus power plant Canada province of Quebec on the Saint François 1993
Beauport power plant Canada province of Quebec on the Montmorency River 1995
Beauport power plant Canada province of Quebec on the Montmorency River, arrival of the machines 1995