Ontario plans tender for at least 1.5 GW of battery storage

The Canadian province of Ontario will seek to add at least 1.5 GW of energy storage capacity to its grid under a larger procurement aimed at addressing the growing demand for energy.

The capacity will be contracted through a competitive tender process run by the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO), the province’s power system operator, the government announced. The procurement exercise is a portion of a larger plan to add new electricity generation and energy storage capacity totalling 4 GW, of which up to 1.5 GW will come from natural gas generation and the rest will be sourced from other technologies.

The tender will be one of several actions that the Ontario government will undertake in order to meet the rising demand for energy and ensure the reliability of the electricity network, while providing “reliable, affordable and clean electricity supply.”

“Energy system reliability and affordability is essential so that Ontario mines can continue to competitively produce the critical minerals we need for battery manufacturing and other technologies that support the transition to a clean economy,” said George Pirie, Minister of Mines.

According to the government’s data, the Canadian province has produced excess power for over a decade, with supply expected to meet demand until at least 2025 without the need for new capacity. The need for new electricity resources is seen to be required from 2025 and 2026, and afterwards.

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