Canada’s largest battery storage to be built near Spencerville

Farmers Forum staff

SPENCERVILLE — Canada’s largest battery storage project will be erected in the rural countryside of Edwardsburgh-Cardinal Township.

In May, Ontario’s Independent Electricity System Operator awarded a contract to the developers and future operators of the $750-million, 390-megawatt (with a four-hour charge) facility that will occupy 30 acres on the north side of Dobbie Road, just west of the border with neighbouring South Dundas Township.

One-megawatt can supply 1,200 homes, while 390-megawatts can power almost 500,000 homes. Construction is slated to begin in 2026.

Edwardsburgh-Cardinal says it will collect $30 million in property tax revenues from the development over its 30-year life. The developers will also pay $300,000 annually into a local community benefit fund.

The project will include 400 shipping-container-sized lithium-ion battery banks and is seen as a backup to intermittent wind and solar projects. Lithium is mining and energy intensive and not considered environmentally friendly.