The Oneida Energy Storage Project has officially entered commercial operations, becoming the largest battery energy storage facility in operations in Canada, and one of the largest in the world.

Located in Haldimand County on the Niagara Peninsula, the 250 MW/1,000 MWh facility was delivered ahead of schedule and under budget through a collaborative partnership between majority owner Northland Power Inc., Six Nations of the Grand River Development Corporation (SNGRDC), NRStor Inc., Aecon Concessions, and the Mississaugas of the Credit Business Corporation.

Together, the groups form the Oneida Energy Storage Limited Partnership.

With 278 lithium-ion battery units now officially drawing and storing power from Ontario's electricity grid, Oneida LP will receive fixed capacity payments through a 20-year capacity services contract with Ontario’s Independent Electricity System Operator and generate revenue from energy sold into the Ontario electricity grid as well as from providing ancillary services to the system.

The Oneida Energy Storage facility enhances Ontario’s energy grid, which is already more than 90% clean, adding critical capacity and reliability to support the province’s accelerating demand for energy and doubling the amount of energy storage resources from 225 MW to 475 MW.

Oneida is expected to reduce emissions by as many as 4.1 million tonnes over the life of the project, the equivalent to taking more than 40,000 cars off the road, and will support more efficient operation of traditional assets like gas and nuclear while furthering growth of renewable energy sources like wind and solar.

“The start of Oneida’s commercial operations is a testament to the power of collaboration, innovation, and community leadership,” said Ontario’s Energy Minister Stephen Lecce. “By integrating advanced energy storage solutions with meaningful Indigenous partnerships, this project enhances Ontario’s clean energy grid and sets a global benchmark for sustainable infrastructure development while furthering our goal of making Canada a clean energy superpower.”

Originally developed under a 50/50 partnership between SNGRDC and NRStor Inc., the Oneida Energy Storage facility serves as a model for meaningful partnerships, prioritizing Indigenous involvement in the development of clean energy in Canada. A strong example of public-private sector collaboration, the project received significant funding from Natural Resources Canada and the Canada Infrastructure Bank.

The project generated more than 180 jobs during peak construction for Indigenous and Ontario workers, totalling more than 300,000 hours of work.