Toronto 
The federal government today announced $50 million in funding to build the largest electricity battery storage project in Canada.
Aecon Group Inc (CNW Group/Aecon Group Inc.)
The 250-megawatt (MW) Oneida Energy storage project is being developed in partnership with the Six Nations of the Grand River Development Corporation, Northland Power, NRStor and Aecon Group. The Canada Infrastructure Bank played a key role supporting project development and is collaborating with the Oneida Energy Storage Project on an investment agreement.
Once built, the Oneida Energy Storage Project would be the largest battery energy storage facility in Canada.
Last January, the Minister of Energy directed the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) to enter a procurement contract with Oneida Energy Storage to build a 250 megawatt / 1,000 megawatt-hour energy storage facility to be constructed along the Hydro One Transmission Corridor near Nanticoke (Haldimand County), Ontario.
NRStor, the Six Nations of the Grand River Development Corporation (SNGRDC), Northland Power and Aecon Concessions will be the owners of Oneida LP, which will provide electricity storage services to the IESO through a 20-year agreement and receive fixed availability payments from IESO for capacity services, as well as revenue from energy sold into the Ontario electricity grid and operating reserve.
Tesla is the battery supplier and has executed a battery supply agreement with Oneida LP.
“When our two governments work together, in partnership with Indigenous communities, we can help to build a stronger economy and a more sustainable province.” said Chrystia Freeland, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance announcing the the 50 million funding.
“With this new federal investment—and significant support from the Canada Infrastructure Bank—this project will help make electricity more affordable for Ontario families, and play an important role in building the clean electrical grid that Ontario will count on for generations to come.”
Per the news release, the Oneida Energy Storage project will store excess electricity during low-demand periods and release it during high-demand times.
The project will commence in 2025 and generate sufficient power to cater to the peak demand of a city like Oshawa.
The province says with the completion of Oneida Energy Storage Project, the total energy storage resources on Ontario’s clean electricity grid will increase from 225 MW to 475 MW, more than doubling the existing capacity.
Per the media release, the Oneida Energy storage project is expected to reduce emissions by between 2.2 to 4.1 million tonnes, the equivalent to taking up to 40,000 cars off the road.
Sunnynook Battery Energy Storage, a 280-megawatt solar project and 100-megawatt battery energy storage system, in Sunnynook Alberta is the other major battery storage development project in Canada.
