Long-Term Reliability Project: 903

IESO Procurement Background

The proposed Battery Energy Storage System is under contract with the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO), the provincially regulated entity responsible for managing Ontario’s electricity system. It is part of the ELT1 (Expedited Long Term Procurement 1) program, a crucial initiative led by IESO to address imminent energy challenges facing the province. By mandating projects like this one, the IESO seeks to enhance grid reliability and ensure energy security, particularly as electricity demand continues to rise. These projects play an important role in preventing potential blackouts during peak demand periods, ensuring Ontario’s energy system can continue to operate effectively.

While BESS does not generate new energy, it plays a crucial role in storing excess electricity, making it available during peak demand or supply disruptions. This reduces reliance on costly and environmentally harmful peaking plants. Through this approach, BESS helps stabilize the grid, ensuring that Ontario’s energy system can meet both growing and peak demand using cost-effective and environmentally friendly solutions. The project contributes to the creation of a flexible and resilient power grid that aligns with the government’s long-term energy goals, while also minimizing environmental impact and maintaining affordability for consumers.

Proponent Information

SolarBank Corporation is a 100% Canadian-owned renewable and clean energy project developer and asset operator. Since 2013, SolarBank (formerly Abundant Solar Energy) has enabled the proliferation of renewable and clean energy contributing to Net Zero carbon emission goals through its development, engineering, and asset management services in Canada and the United States.

Together, SolarBank and SFF have participated in IESO’s long-term capacity procurement to help ensure the reliability of Ontario’s electricity grid. SFF, now under SolarBank’s ownership, develops facilities and technologies that contribute to the global reduction of greenhouse gases and the decreased use of fossil fuels. Currently, SFF’s portfolio includes 70 projects in Ontario, totaling 28.8 MW DC. SFF remains a Qualified Applicant under the IESO procurement process.

Developers

Abundant Solar Energy Inc. (ASE) is acting as an agent and developer for SFF. ASE is a 100% Canadian-owned independent renewable and clean energy project developer and asset operator. Since 2013, Abundant has enabled the proliferation of renewable and clean energy contributing to Net Zero carbon emission goals through its development, engineering, and asset management services in Canada and the United States.

Project Information

Nameplate Capacity: 4.99 megawatt/20-megawatt hour

Please note that all mentions of 5-megawatt size is in this notice is rounded from 4.99-megawatt.

As part of the procurement, SFF is proposing to install a utility grid-connected BESS to be located at 219 Peggs Mountain Rd, Armour, ON P0A 1C0, where a ground mount solar photovoltaic system is currently in operation. The BESS will be charged by the local grid overnight when there is low electricity demand and will supply power to the grid at times of high demand, providing significant benefits to grid reliability. The system will be a 5-megawatt/20-megawatt hour battery energy storage system using lithium iron phosphate technology.

Current Status

The proposed BESS project is currently in the permitting stage with the Township of Armour. The Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By Law Amendments have been submitted to the Township and are currently under their review.

Site location is subject to change after landlord, community engagement and engineering studies.

Community Engagement Plan

As the project developer, Abundant Solar Energy Inc. plans to engage the local community as part of the development process.

This plan includes the following:

• Hosting at least one public meeting before December 20, 2022 in an accessible location so that local residents can learn about the Long-Term Reliability Project(s), ask questions, and raise any potential concerns.
• Posting the Public meeting notice a minimum of 15 days in advance on the project website.
• Notifying owners of property adjacent to the Project Site of the public meeting via correspondence.
• Notifying the owner of the Project Site and municipality of the public meeting via correspondence.
• Posting all project information, site scale map, and public meeting minutes on project website.
• Providing contact information on project website for any questions that residents may have and will be responsive in a timely matter.

Public Meeting Details

Community members with questions or comments about the project are invited to attend a public meeting that will be held at 7pm on April 7, 2025 at the Katrine Community Centre. This meeting is intended to ensure that community members have the chance to become informed about the project and raise any relevant questions.

Questions and Contacts

Please feel free to reach out to the contacts below if you have any questions regarding the procurement process, companies involved, and/or proposed projects.

Ina Lila – Director of Business Development

Ina.lila@solarbankcorp.com