Photo: The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.

Denis Richard, left, president of the Co-op Federee and Dr. U.S. Awasthi of the Indian Farmers Cooperative (IFFCO) shake hands after they announced an investment of $1.2-billion to build a fertilizer plant in Becancour, Que, at a news conference Tuesday, October 9, 2012 in Quebec City. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jacques Boissinot

Some workers in Becancour, Que., who are facing the imminent closure of a nuclear power plant, may soon find new jobs.

Plans have been announced for the construction of a $1.2-billion nitrogen fertilizer plant.

The news comes shortly after the new Parti Quebecois government kept its promise to close the Gentilly-2 nuclear plant, which employs more than 700 workers.

The Marois government will spend $5 million on a pre-feasibility study for the fertilizer plant and Quebec is then expected to invest in the construction of the facility.

The new fertilizer plant is projected to generate around 500 construction jobs and over 200 long-term jobs in the community.

Its construction is scheduled to begin in 2014 and production of fertilizer is targeted for 2017.

The plant will be operated by the Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative and a Quebec co-operative.