VIDEO: Ontario Breaks Ground on Canada’s Largest Battery Storage Project

Skyview 2 storage facility will have enough capacity to power nearly 400,000 homes

EDWARDSBURGH CARDINAL — Construction is now underway on the single largest battery storage facility ever procured in Canadian history, supporting the Ontario government’s plan to deliver reliable, affordable and clean energy to power the province’s growing economy and communities. Once complete, the new Skyview 2 Battery Energy Storage System will provide enough capacity to power nearly 400,000 homes, strengthening the province’s electricity grid and protecting Ontario workers and jobs by supporting a more competitive, resilient and self-reliant provincial economy.

A ground-breaking ceremony was held today (Wednesday, November 12th) at the building location in Edwardsburgh-Cardinal Township for the new battery storage facility, with Ontario Premier Doug Ford, MPP Steve Clark, Edwardsburgh-Cardinal Mayor Tory Deschamps, Minister of Energy and Mines, Stephen Lecce, Ben Greenhouse, Chief Executive Officer of Potentia Renewables and others on hand at the ceremony.

“I’m proud that we’re breaking ground on Canada’s largest battery storage facility right here in Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes. The Township of Edwardsburgh Cardinal has demonstrated real leadership on this project, which brings together the private sector, municipalities, First Nations and our government. Today marks a significant milestone in building a cleaner, more reliable energy future that will power economic growth in Eastern Ontario and across the province,” said Steve Clark, MPP for Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes

“As part of our plan to protect Ontario, we’re making record investments in energy generation, transmission and storage to make our province an energy superpower,” said Premier Doug Ford. “Skyview 2 is an important part of that plan and will be a game-changer for Leeds and Grenville’s economy, as well as our First Nations partners. It will help to deliver the reliable, clean and affordable energy needed to power our growing communities and economy for generations to come.”

With electricity demand in Ontario forecasted to increase significantly by 2050, Skyview 2 marks an important milestone in Ontario’s clean energy transition and will play a vital role in supporting the province’s clean electricity grid. Once operational in 2027, the facility will store electricity from Ontario’s clean electricity grid during periods of low demand and return that stored power to the system when demand is higher, while creating up to 300 jobs during construction and additional operational positions following completion.

“Edwardsburgh Cardinal is ready to lead. The groundbreaking of the Skyview 2 Battery Energy Storage System project marks a historic moment for our township and for Ontario’s energy future. As the largest battery energy storage initiative in Canada, this project reflects our council’s bold leadership, our proven ability to deliver and our commitment to supporting the infrastructure this province needs. We are a thankful and willing host because we know projects like this strengthen and protect Ontario jobs and contribute to Canada’s economic resilience. I’m proud of our council for stepping up and saying yes to opportunity. With available land, a clear vision and the will to support critical infrastructure, Edwardsburgh Cardinal is doing its part and positioning itself as a driving force in the growth and resilience of the St. Lawrence region,” said Tory Deschamps, Mayor of the Township of Edwardsburgh Cardinal

“Ontario is building big and for future generations as we lead the largest nuclear and energy storage expansion in Canadian history,” said Stephen Lecce, Minister of Energy and Mines. “With shovels in the ground on Canada’s largest battery storage facility, our government is proud to support Canadian workers, Indigenous communities and affordability for all Ontarians.”

The Skyview 2 project is a lithium-ion battery energy storage facility procured through the Independent Electricity System Operator’s (IESO) Long-Term 1 Request for Proposals (LT1 RFP). Developed in partnership between Potentia Renewables Inc. and the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation, the facility builds on other projects such as the Oneida Energy Storage facility to bring Ontario’s total energy storage capacity to nearly 3,000 megawatts (MW) and collectively create up to 3,000 jobs across the province.

“On behalf of the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation, I want to thank our partners at Potentia, our project team and all those who have supported this important work”, said Chief Greg Sarazin of the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation. “Together, we are showing that when First Nations are included as full participants in Canada’s energy landscape, everyone benefits. Chì Mìgwech. Thank you.”

Building the largest battery storage fleet in the country is a key pillar of Energy for Generations, Ontario’s long-term roadmap to deliver reliable, affordable and secure energy to power the most competitive economy in the G7. The plan also underscores the province’s commitment to ensuring Indigenous partners share in the economic growth and prosperity generated by energy development in their territories as Ontario expands its electricity system. With a clear path forward, Energy for Generations is not only meeting the demands of today, but it is protecting jobs, supporting workers and powering economic growth for generations to come, while supporting economic reconciliation for generations to come.

Quick Facts

• Energy storage will allow the storage of baseload generation like nuclear and hydro while also supporting the integration of intermittent resources like wind and solar.
• Through the Expedited Long-Term Request for Proposals (E-LT1 RFP) and LT1 RFP procurements, Ontario has secured almost 3,000 MW of battery storage capacity, the largest single battery storage procurement in Canadian history.
• Nine out of 10 of the selected storage projects under the LT1 RFP have Indigenous ownership, representing more than 1,400 MW of capacity.
• The Ontario government has also launched the Second Long-Term Request for Proposals (LT2 RFP), the largest competitive energy procurement in the province’s history.
• The government’s series of competitive procurements is designed to attract a diverse mix of technologies through open, transparent processes that will secure the electricity Ontario needs to support the building of new homes, businesses and communities.