Oneida Energy Storage Project

The project involves the installation of lithium-ion battery modules on a 10-acre plot of land along the Hydro One Transmission Corridor in Haldimand County that will draw and store existing surplus baseload and renewable energy during off-peak periods, in order to reduce reliance on older carbon-intensive generators and the need to build new gas plants.

Once operational, the Oneida Energy Storage project will be the largest of its kind in Canada, and amongst the largest energy storage facilities in the world. It will provide a gigawatt-hour of much needed capacity to the Ontario grid, while prioritizing local Indigenous partnerships and environmental benefits. The project also contributes to Canada’s ongoing transition to a net-zero economy by 2050 as well as Canada’s commitment to achieving a 100% net-zero-emitting electricity system by 2035.

Jointly developed by NRStor and Six Nations of the Grand River Development since 2018, the project is scheduled to be completed in 2025.

Further information on the project can be found via NRStor’s website.

On February 10, 2023, NRStor Inc. (“NRStor”) announced that the Independent Electricity System Operator (“IESO”) entered into an Energy Storage Facility Agreement (ESFA) for the Oneida Energy Storage project, a significant step in advancing its development. Under the agreement, the project will benefit from a 20-year fixed price contract for revenue payments with the IESO in Ontario for the majority of the capacity from the project.

Advancing the project into the construction phase, with the finalization of the ESFA project proponents also finalized and executed

1. a battery supply agreement and a long-term service agreement with leading global battery manufacturer Tesla Inc. for the supply of key components and services; and
2. an EPC agreement with Aecon Group Inc. for designing, engineering and constructing the facility.

The project will supply the Ontario electricity system through a 250 megawatt / 1,000 megawatt-hour Tesla Megapack system in southwestern Ontario.

In addition, Natural Resources Canada (“NRC”) announced that it provided C$50 million in funding from the Smart Renewables and Electrification Pathways program, recognizing that the project will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by enabling increased renewable energy capacity and providing essential grid services.

The Canada Infrastructure Bank also played a key role supporting project development and is collaborating with the Oneida Energy Storage Project on an investment agreement.

Further information on the announcements can be found on Globe Newswire’s website and on northlandpower.com.