The Oneida Energy Storage Project recently commenced commercial operations in Ontario.
The 1,000 MHz project is now the largest grid-scale battery energy storage facility in operation in Canada and one of the largest globally.
“This is a critical step in delivering the energy capacity to support increasing demand and technological advancement in the future,” remarked Stephen Lecce, Ontario’s Minister of Energy and Mines.
The project was powered by a collaborative effort between Northland Power, Six Nations of the Grand River Development Corporation, NRStor, Aecon Concessions, and the Mississaugas of the Credit River Business Corporation as owners of Oneida Energy Storage Limited Partnership.
“The start of Oneida’s commercial operations is a testament to the power of collaboration, innovation, and community leadership,” said Lecce.
Located in Haldimand County, the Oneida Energy Storage facility doubles the amount of energy storage resources on Ontario’s electricity grid from 225 MW to 475 MW.
“This project enhances Ontario’s clean energy grid and sets a global benchmark for sustainable infrastructure development while furthering our goal of making Canada a clean energy superpower,” the Minister stated.
With 278 lithium-ion battery units drawing and storing power from Ontario’s electricity grid, Oneida will receive fixed capacity payments through a 20-year capacity services contract with Ontario’s Independent Electricity System Operator and generate revenue from energy sold into the Ontario electricity grid as well as from providing ancillary services to the system.
“As a first-of-its-kind project in Canada, Oneida charts the path for future storage projects across the country,” posits Christine Healy, who serves Northland as Chief Executive Officer. “Projects like Oneida, that deliver critical stability and capacity to Ontario’s electricity grid, help guarantee a prosperous future for our communities, our businesses and our economy.”
Warren Sault of the Credit Business Corporation believes that, “by investing in innovative and sustainable energy solutions, we’re not only contributing to a greener, more resilient future for the region, we’re also creating lasting opportunities for future generations of our community.”
Lesley Gallinger, CEO of the Independent Electricity System Operator, agrees, stating that “The Oneida Energy Storage Project marks a new era in the evolution of our electricity system.”