Saugeen Ojibway Nation says a proposed battery energy storage system (BESS) south of Port Elgin would be a strong investment in clean energy.
In a letter from Saugeen First Nation and Chippewas of Nawash Chiefs Veronica Smith and Sonya Roote to Saugeen Shores Council, SON says it’s been working with project proponent Neoen over the past few months to identify the most suitable site that meets SON’s requirements for environmental stewardship and the protection of their territory.
SON says the proposed location at 752 Concession Road 2 in Port Elgin is preferred.
Neoen says on its website, it’s proposing a standalone battery energy storage project to store and discharge 400-megawatts of power directly to, and from Ontario’s power grid. They say, “That’s enough capacity to supply power to 385,000 Ontario households during peak demand.”
SON says it’s an, “opportunity for economic reconciliation, skills training and shared benefits.”
They encourage the Town of Saugeen Shores’ council to support the project proposal.
SON’s Environment Office (EO) explains, “Joint council endorsed this letter to place the mayor and council on formal notice that, because the project sits within Saugeen Ojibway Nation Territory, any municipal support for the Neoen BESS must defer to and uphold Saugeen Ojibway Nation’s inherent jurisdiction and final consent.”
The Environment Office adds, it does not mean the project is approved. They note, “The project has a finite lifespan (current contract is 20 years with the IESO, with the potential to extend the contract a few more years depending on energy demands at the time).”
The office adds, “Once the contract is complete, a full remediation of the site will occur to return the landscape to the current undeveloped state (farm field). Current topsoil will be retained to be returned to the field in remediation.”
“The EO is currently review archaeology, water and ecology reports and processes while evaluating both the local impacts and potential benefits of this technology.”
You can see the letter and more information in a SON Environment Office social media post here: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19gJzWKbxa/
Neoen’s frequently asked questions and other information can be found here: https://canada.neoen.com/neoen-battery/
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