Alectra Energy Solutions and Convergent Energy and Power have completed three battery energy storage facilities in Ontario, Canada, adding a combined 80MW of power capacity and 320MWh of energy storage to the province’s electricity grid.
The projects include two facilities in Vaughan and one in Guelph, all of which are now operational and supporting Ontario’s electricity system.
Battery energy storage systems capture electricity when it is available and release it during periods of higher demand, providing greater flexibility for grid operators and helping balance electricity supply and demand.
“Bringing these three battery storage facilities into operation is an important milestone for Alectra Energy Solutions and Ontario’s electricity system,” said Brian Bentz, President and CEO of Alectra Inc. “These projects will strengthen reliability and support our communities’ growing energy needs for years to come.”
Supporting Ontario’s electricity grid
The three facilities were awarded contracts in 2023 through Ontario’s Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) Expedited Long-Term 1 procurement programme.
All three are operating under 20-year contracts with the IESO, providing long-term energy storage capacity for the province.
The completed developments comprise:
- Vaughan 3: A 40MW/160MWh facility on Rutherford Road in Vaughan.
- Vaughan 1E: A 20MW/80MWh facility on Dufferin Street in Vaughan.
- Arlen: A 20MW/80MWh facility on Clair Road West in Guelph.
Ontario’s Minister of Energy and Mines, Stephen Lecce, attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Vaughan 3 facility alongside representatives from Alectra and the IESO.
According to the provincial government, the three facilities have sufficient storage capacity to supply the equivalent of approximately 80,000 homes, although actual coverage depends on electricity demand and discharge duration.
The projects form part of Ontario’s wider efforts to expand electricity storage infrastructure and improve grid reliability as energy demand increases.
“Ontario is a leader when it comes to carbon-free electricity generation, and we are pleased to be a reliable partner to the province’s residents and utilities,” said Frank Genova, Co-Chief Executive Officer of Convergent Energy and Power. “We are thrilled to partner with Alectra Energy Solutions to support the province.”
With all three sites now operational, the partnership adds further storage capacity to Ontario’s electricity network, supporting the management of peak demand and the integration of electricity generation across the province.
