Ontario BESS developers with IESO contracts face local opposition

This initial RFP was followed by the Long-Term 1 (LT1) procurement, where the system operator issued a further 10 contracts to energy storage projects during 2024.

Local municipalities and communities were first introduced to these projects prior to contracts being awarded, however, public awareness of energy storage has increased massively during the past few years.

Although this heightened awareness can be partially attributed to increased energy storage deployment, a series of high-profile BESS fires, such as the one at Vistra’s California Moss Landing facility, are driving some of the general public into anti-BESS echo chambers.

The challenges come as the developers transition into the permitting phase and engage further with local communities.

North Glengarry BESS

One of the successful applicants to IESO’s LT1 and E-LT1 procurements is Compass Greenfield Development. It has contracts in place for four E-LT1 projects and two LT1 projects, totalling 45MW/180MWh.

In partnership with the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation, Compass Greenfield Development is proposing to construct North Glengarry BESS, a 16.3MW project in the Township of Glengarry, Ontario, awarded through LT1.

Although initial development of the project was carried out by Compass Renewable Energy Consulting, the advisory firm has since spun out Compass Greenfield Development as a specialist solar and storage development company.

Before IESO issued any contracts for LT1, the Township of North Glengarry pledged its support to the BESS project through the issuance of a municipal support resolution (MSR) during November 2023. During February this year, the Township paved the way for the construction of the BESS after granting the developer a special exemption to develop the project on agricultural land.

This has angered a group of local residents who are demanding the zoning amendment be revoked. They argue that the Township made the decision without sufficient public consultation.

According to local news reports, discussion at a recent Township meeting was dominated by concerns from residents around the deployment of the BESS, with Mayor Jamie MacDonald threatening to end the meeting early after several outbursts from the crowd.

During the meeting, residents raised concerns surrounding the dangers of thermal runaway, as well as the unsubstantiated claim of properties located near BESS projects decreasing in value by up to 30%. In an effort to alleviate community concerns, representatives from Compass are due to hold a public meeting on 30 April 2025 to discuss the project with residents.

Compass hopes to commence construction on the project as early as next year, which is contracted with IESO to come online before 1 May 2028.

Brookfield development arm in MSR dispute

The Canadian development arm of Brookfield Renewable, Evolugen, has also encountered opposition related to one of its projects that secured an agreement from IESO.

Evolugen, alongside the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation, proposed a 250MW BESS near Fitzroy in the Parish of West Carleton-March, Ottawa, which it submitted to the IESO LT1 RFP.

However, in the run-up to contracts being awarded, Evolugen failed to obtain an MSR from local authorities, leading many to believe the project was no longer moving forward.

Surprisingly, despite not receiving local municipal support, the Ontario IESO decided to issue Evolugen with a contract for its Fitzroy BESS. Out of the 25 energy storage projects that received contracts from IESO, this project was the only one to not receive an MSR.

After failing to gain municipal support for the BESS, Evolugen announced in January 2025 that it would no longer be developing the BESS in Fitzroy, and instead would be constructing the BESS elsewhere in the Parish, approximately 16 km southeast of the original location in South March.

“The new site is further from residential areas, and our agreements with these landowners ensure we return their land to its original state at the end of the term”, said Head of Development at Evolugen, Geoff Wright, in a letter to local residents.

“The new site is further from residential areas, and our agreements with these landowners ensure we return their land to its original state at the end of the term”, said Head of Development at Evolugen, Geoff Wright, in a letter to local residents.

Despite these changes, Councillor for West Carleton-March, Clarke Kelly, made his position abundantly clear in an open letter last month.

“The project cannot be supported at the proposed location,” said Kelly, after gathering feedback on the new proposal from “as many residents as possible”.

The Councillor stated that he would happily change his decision if the project was moved to a location further away from residential areas, adding that “Ottawa has industrial and other areas that would be much more appropriate.”

In the letter, Kelly acknowledged that although some residents would oppose any form of BESS in any location, he believed the majority of residents had “carefully reached their conclusion and respectfully voiced their concerns.” 

Evolugen has yet to submit a planning application for the new proposal and has until the end of the year to obtain an MSR for the project, or it risks losing the agreement with IESO.

Other developers find smoother pathways in Ontario

Other developers of projects with IESO contracts have found more success, with EDP Renewables recently announcing a land purchase agreement in Ontario for a 75MW/300MWh BESS.

As reported by Energy-Storage.news, EDP partnered with Caldwell First Nation to complete the agreement for its Edgeware BESS project located in St. Thomas, Ontario.`