Ontario govt. concludes the largest battery storage procurement in Canada

The Ontario government on Thursday (May 9) announced that it has concluded the largest battery storage procurement in Canada to date to help meet the growing demand for electricity. 

The new procurement is secured for a total of 2,195 megawatts (MW) of capacity and is enough to power the peak demand of 2.2 million homes -- helping meet Ontario province's energy needs through 2030.

"Our government has secured astounding new investments for the province, from electric vehicle and electric vehicle battery manufacturing to green steel, and the good quality jobs that come with them," said Todd Smith, Minister of Energy. "We have now broken records once again by completing the largest battery storage procurement in Canadian history and securing the electricity generation we need to power the next major international investment, the new homes we are building and industries as they grow and electrify."

The latest round of procurement, Ontario's Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) noted, includes 1,784 MW of clean energy storage from 10 projects ranging from 9 MW to 390 MW. When combined with the previous round of procurement and the Oneida Battery Storage Facility, Ontario's entire storage fleet will comprise 26 facilities with a total capacity of 2,916 MW, exceeding the government's initial target of 2,500 MW. This includes the 390 MW Skyview 2 Battery Energy Storage System in the Township of Edwardsburgh Cardinal, set to be the largest single storage facility procured in Canada.

"The continued success of adding new technologies and resources to the grid will ensure the electricity system is ready to support continued growth all across Ontario," said Lesley Gallinger, President and CEO of IESO.

"The results of this procurement are also credit to the diligent collaboration between municipalities, Indigenous communities, proponents, and the IESO to ensure mutually beneficial projects go forward to secure our energy future."

The newly procured energy resources are one part of the broader "Powering Ontario Growth" – the government plan that outlines the actions the province is taking to meet the growing energy demand and reduce carbon emissions by expanding a clean and reliable grid.