Ontario’s electricity system moves forward with largest energy storage procurement ever in Canada

Source: | · IESO · | May 16, 2023

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Independent Electricity System Operator announces 739 MW of energy storage projects to support reliability and sustainability goals.

May 16, 2023 – Toronto, ON – Today, the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) announced it is moving forward with the procurement of seven new energy storage projects to provide 739 MW of capacity. After years of stable supply, Ontario’s electricity system is in the early stages of a dramatic transformation to support decarbonization and economic growth.

Electricity demand in Ontario is set to increase significantly in the next two decades as the economy grows and many fossil fuel-dependent processes switch to electricity. The IESO forecasts electricity demand to increase two per cent annually over the next 20 years.

Growing Ontario’s storage capability

The IESO is offering contracts to seven battery storage facilities located throughout the province, varying in size from 5 MW to 300 MW. These facilities will serve to meet both province-wide and local needs in a number of key locations. The majority of these selected proposals have partnered with Indigenous communities, with five of the seven having at least 50 per cent economic interest from these communities. These projects complement the recent agreement for the 250 MW Oneida Energy Storage Facility and conclude the first of two stages within the procurement.