Yes. The IESO has contracted 29 batteries since 2022. 12 of these batteries are already in operation, others are currently being built or developed. The map attached in appendix (Figure 2) shows the location of these projects. These projects are being developed as part of the Government of Ontario’s Energy for Generations long-term energy plan to sustain economic growth across the province.

This site was selected because it meets the crucial requirements for a grid-scale BESS: proximity to the existing B27S/B28S 230 kV transmission corridor, access to Bruce County’s major generation and transmission infrastructure, avoidance of key constraints such as the Saugeen Ojibway Nation (SON) Buffer Zone and sensitive environmental areas, construction feasibility, suitable access and safety setbacks. The map attached in Appendix (Figure 1) is a visual representation of the constraints that inform site selection. Neoen and SON evaluated hundreds of prospective sites along this corridor and are confident that this site offers the strongest attributes.

The most northerly portion of the site is approximately 5 kilometers south from the centre of Port Elgin.

Hydro One technical feedback has instructed that the section of the transmission system closer to Bruce Power is electrically constrained for this type of 400 MW bi-directional resource (charge & discharge) and cannot accommodate a connection. Neoen evaluated sites farther along the B27S/B28S corridor where a large battery connection can be better accommodated, respecting Hydro One’s direction of requiring a distance of at least 13 km away from the plant.

Brownfield and industrial sites were considered and would have been preferred where technically feasible. However, none of the sites reviewed met the full requirements: transmission proximity, enough land for equipment and safety setbacks, geotechnical suitability, environmental and archaeological considerations. Some sites had geotechnical constraints, active pit or quarry licenses, or were too far from the transmission corridor to connect without additional infrastructure and excessive ecological impacts.

Yes. The project does not require Bruce Power to reduce its output. Hydro One and the IESO assess transmission capacity and determine where new resources can connect without compromising the existing system. The BESS was awarded on this transmission corridor because the system operator determined that it can be accommodated and can help support overall grid reliability.

Bruce Power and the battery also perform different roles. Bruce Power provides continuous generation, while the battery provides flexible capacity by charging when electricity is available and discharging when demand is higher. In this way, battery storage can complement nuclear generation rather than constrain it.

The stored electricity is discharged back into Ontario’s transmission grid. It is dispatched by the electricity system when and where it is needed.

The community nevertheless benefits from being connected to a stronger and more flexible electricity system. The battery can respond quickly during periods of high demand or system disturbances and can help make better use of electricity generated in the Bruce region. Also, in an emergency or major grid event, that additional storage capacity can support the resilience of the local electricity system.

No, the project being proposed is 400 MW. Neoen has a 20-year IESO contract for that capacity, and all current planning, environmental and permitting applications are based on this 400 MW project.

The project will provide several direct benefits to Saugeen Shores, including $450,000 per year through a Community Benefit Agreement, increased municipal tax revenue, a contribution of nearly $1 million to strengthen the Saugeen Shores Fire Department, construction employment, and opportunities for local and Indigenous businesses.

In total, this project will provide more than $10 million in direct community contributions over its 20-year operating life. Potential areas of investment could include priorities identified by the Town and community, such as workforce training, recreation and parks, community amenities, health or environment protection. The ultimate allocation of these funds will be determined through discussions with the community and the Town of Saugeen Shores.

Construction is expected to take approximately 18 months, with the workforce reaching approximately 200 workers at peak activity. Opportunities are expected for electrical trades, civil contractors, equipment operators, trucking, fencing, landscaping, security and other local services.

Neoen’s preference is to use local workers and businesses where the required skills and services are available.

Once operational, the facility is expected to support up to approximately 10 full-time jobs associated with operations and maintenance.

The project will rely on local contractors and specialized service providers for activities such as inspections, vegetation management, electrical maintenance, security and other periodic work. Neoen’s preference is to use local workers and businesses wherever possible.

Canada is developing a growing battery manufacturing industry, and Neoen would like to source Canadian-made equipment and services wherever they are technically suitable and competitive. However, Canada does not currently have a mature supply of complete utility-scale battery energy storage systems at the scale required for a 400 MW project. A supplier must be able to provide a proven integrated system that meets stringent requirements for safety, performance, certification, warranties, controls, delivery and long-term maintenance. Canadian companies are already well positioned in other parts of the supply chain, including controls, energy-management systems, engineering and services. Neoen is also committed to using Canadian end-of-life and battery-recycling solutions where available.

Our approach is therefore to maximize Canadian participation where possible while ensuring the project uses proven technology that meets all technical and safety requirements.

The choice of the battery supplier has not yet been finalized. Neoen works only with Tier 1 battery manufacturers with proven utility-scale experience, established safety certifications, and strong quality-control and supply-chain standards. The final choice will be based on safety, performance, reliability, technical compliance, compliance with Canadian standards, supply-chain capability and long-term support for the project.

The likelihood of a fire is extremely low. Independent analysis by the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) found that the global utility-scale BESS failure incident rate, measured relative to installed capacity, decreased by approximately 98% between 2018 and 2024. This improvement occurred while global deployment of batteries increased dramatically and reflects consistent improvement in battery design, monitoring, safety standards, testing and industry practices.

Our project relies on layered prevention and mitigation: sealed and restricted enclosures, 24/7 battery management monitoring, thermal controls, qualified maintenance, non-combustible surfaces, equipment spacing, emergency access and coordination with first responders. We are working closely with the Saugeen Shores Fire Department to develop and approve an Emergency Response Plan, as well as providing investments in their firefighting resources, to best prepare for the safe integration of this battery infrastructure.

No. They are all Lithium-on batteries, but they use different chemistries. Many batteries used in consumer electronics and electric vehicles use nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) chemistry, which is designed for high energy density where size and weight matter.

For this project, the proposed technology is lithium iron phosphate (LFP), which is widely used for utility-scale energy storage because it is more thermally stable and less prone to thermal runaway than NMC chemistry.

Utility-scale batteries also have much more robust management and protection systems than everyday devices, including continuous monitoring of temperature, voltage and equipment conditions, alarms, automatic isolation and remote supervision.

No. The Moss Landing facility involved a materially different battery design and configuration.

Moss Landing used NMC (Nickel-Manganese-Cobalt chemistry) batteries, while we are using LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate chemistry) batteries. LFP has a greater thermal stability.

Moss Landing also housed large numbers of battery racks inside a common building. Neoen Battery will use separate enclosed battery containers, helping limit the potential for an incident to spread.

No. The equipment is designed to prevent uncontrolled pressure build-up through monitoring and controls, gas management, ventilation, overpressure vents and automated door-opening or ventilation features if hazardous internal conditions are detected.

The response would follow a pre-planned protocol. The affected unit would be isolated, emergency responders and technical support would be alerted, and the system would be shut down if it is safe to do so. Responders would not open the battery cabinet or fight the fire inside the enclosure; the focus would be on maintaining distance, protecting nearby equipment and allowing the affected unit to consume itself in a controlled way. Fire testing indicates an affected unit may take up to about 6 hours to consume itself.

No, the project is designed to keep an event localized. Each battery container is an independent enclosure, and supplier-specified spacing, clearances, non-combustible surfaces and emergency access are intended to prevent spread from one container to the rest of the facility.

There has not been a reported case of a BESS fire spreading from the facility onto any adjacent property. Combined with the site layout and emergency-response measures, the project is designed so that the consequences of a battery incident remain within the facility.

No. The emergency response approach is not to flood or directly extinguish a battery container with large volumes of water. If a container were to enter thermal runaway, the preferred strategy is to allow it to burn itself out in a controlled manner and prevent the event from spreading.

The battery units are designed to fail in a specific way and to limit fire propagation from one container to another. Water may be used selectively to cool adjacent equipment or manage external exposures, but it is not expected that large quantities of water would be required to extinguish a fire.

The available evidence indicates that the risk to people outside the facility is very low. Experience from battery-storage fires has shown that potential air-quality impacts are localized and have not resulted in off-site health effects requiring evacuation in the incidents reviewed.

As such, evacuation of nearby residents is not expected to be required.

Any public-safety decision during an actual incident would ultimately be made by emergency responders based on site conditions, using the project’s Emergency Response Plan, which must approved by the Saugeen Shores Fire Department.

There has never been a Lithium-Ion Phosphate battery incident in North America that has affected livestock. The project is designed so that the consequences of an incident remain contained within the facility, with controls for air, water and soil quality.

Investigations following three BESS fires in rural New York State in 2023 included air, soil, groundwater and surface-water testing and did not identify off-site risks to people, animals or the environment. Canada’s 2024 Brantford BESS fire was similarly contained to the affected equipment and did not require evacuation of the neighbouring facility.

Yes. Emergency preparedness is already being developed directly with the Saugeen Shores Fire Department.

Neoen has shared the preliminary Emergency Response Plan and is working with the Fire Department and specialized fire-safety professionals on site access, isolation and shutdown procedures, water supply, exposure protection, communication protocols and emergency responders roles.

Neoen will also provide specialized, product-specific training before operation and will continue working with the Fire Department to identify any additional equipment or resources that may be beneficial.

The objective is to ensure responders are familiar with the site, the technology and the appropriate response procedures before the project becomes operational.

The project is designed to prevent contaminated water from leaving the site and reaching groundwater. Runoff from the developed area will be collected and managed through the site’s stormwater system rather than flowing uncontrolled off site. The stormwater system will be subject to the applicable Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) requirements before operation.

Surface runoff will be collected through a system of ditches, storm sewers and manholes and directed to a wet pond and then an infiltration pond. The system provides the ability to manage water on site and, in an abnormal event, potentially impacted water can be retained and assessed before it is released.

If water were suspected of being affected by a spill, firefighting activity or another abnormal event, it could be retained, sampled and, if necessary, treated or removed for appropriate off-site disposal. Oil-containing equipment, such as the main transformers, will also have dedicated spill-containment measures. These protections are complemented by spill-response procedures and ongoing inspection and maintenance of the stormwater system.

The stormwater system is designed to manage the 100-year, 24-hour storm without overflowing.

For an exceptionally large rainfall event beyond this storm, the system includes a controlled emergency overflow. This is a standard safety feature that provides a defined flow path and helps prevent uncontrolled flooding or damage to the stormwater infrastructure.

If water were suspected of being contaminated because of a spill or emergency event, it would be managed under the project’s spill and emergency-response procedures rather than simply released through the stormwater system.

Yes. The wet pond includes a liner that provides an additional layer of protection between collected runoff and the underlying soil.

The system also allows water to be retained and assessed before it moves to the infiltration pond, providing additional control during an abnormal event.

The wet pond is specifically designed to settle and retain sediment before water moves to the infiltration pond.

The pond will be inspected and maintained over the life of the project, including inspections after significant storm events. When sediment accumulation begins to reduce the pond’s storage or treatment capacity, it will be removed. Removed sediment will be sampled, where required, to determine the appropriate handling or disposal method. 

No impacts to cold-water streams are expected. The project’s stormwater design is intended to keep runoff controlled on site and protect surrounding water quality and natural features.

Runoff from the developed BESS area will be collected and managed through the on-site stormwater system. During construction, erosion and sediment controls will also be used to prevent sediment runoff from entering nearby watercourses or aquatic systems.

The project is also located outside Saugeen Valley Conservation Authority regulated areas, and the Authority has confirmed that a permit is not required for the project.

The Environmental Impact Study (EIS) performed for the project specifically assessed Species at Risk through background screening and 12 field visits between March and July 2026, including surveys for birds, bats, amphibians, reptiles, vegetation and other wildlife. The EIS has been performed following SON, MECP and Bruce County requirements.

Two bird Species at Risk, Eastern Meadowlark and Bobolink, were observed in or near the study area. However, the EIS concluded that the project property does not contain suitable breeding habitat for these species, as the affected lands are predominantly row-crop agriculture rather than the large grasslands they require.

The EIS also identified potential habitat for Species at Risk bats in some woodland areas. For that reason, the project follows a precautionary approach, including minimizing tree removal, maintaining woodland buffers and applying appropriate vegetation-clearing timing and other mitigation measures.

Overall, the EIS demonstrates that, with the recommended mitigation measures, the project will not negatively impact the natural features and ecological functions of the site.

We do not expect the project to have an impact on bees or other pollinators. The project’s assessments and experience from BESS facilities do not indicate off-site air, soil or water impacts at levels that would be expected to harm neighbouring livestock or pollinators.

The project-specific Environmental Impact Study also considered local biodiversity. Butterfly species, including Monarch, were observed during field surveys, but the study did not identify the site as significant Monarch habitat or as an important pollinator habitat requiring specific protection.

There is scientific research examining potential effects of electromagnetic fields on insects under certain conditions, but there is no project-specific evidence indicating that this BESS would cause a decline in local pollinator populations, crop pollination or agricultural productivity.

Lighting will be minimized to what is required for safe operation and security, and permanent lighting will be designed to be Dark Sky compliant. Lighting will be directed downward and controlled to reduce unnecessary illumination onto neighbouring properties and surrounding natural features. Accordingly, the facility will not have unrestricted or unnecessary 24/7 security lighting.

Landscaping and visual screening will also help reduce views of the facility and its lighting. The project renderings in the Appendix illustrate how the proposed screening is expected to soften the facility’s appearance from nearby viewpoints.

The project must comply with Ontario’s very stringent MECP noise requirements. For this rural area, the applicable nighttime limit is 40 dBA at the outside of nearby residential dwellings.

A project-specific Noise Impact Study is being completed to determine what mitigation is required to meet that standard. The design includes acoustic barriers around portions of the battery area and around the main transformers, as well as controls on equipment noise. With these measures in place, all nearby residences will meet the applicable MECP limit of 40 dBA.

Meeting the provincial noise standard is not optional. The project must demonstrate compliance as part of the approval process, and the required noise mitigation will form part of the facility design.

The closest existing residential building is approximately 500 metres from the nearest battery container. The project will remain fully contained within the leased property and must comply with all applicable planning requirements.

Available studies have not established a measurable reduction in neighbouring property values associated with BESS facilities. Property values are influenced by many factors.

At the same time, we recognize that some neighbours may perceive the facility as a nuisance because of its proximity. Our commitment is to reduce those potential impacts as much as possible through landscaping and visual screening, strict compliance with noise limits, Dark Sky-compliant lighting and ongoing engagement with nearby residents.

Neoen is considering a package of measures for the neighbours most directly affected by the facility. The purpose is to recognize that those living closest to the project may experience greater inconvenience during construction, and to ensure those impacts are acknowledged and addressed in a fair and respectful way.

These measures would be developed transparently as the project advances. They are intended to complement the project’s broader mitigation measures and community benefits.

29 acres would be temporarily removed from agricultural production for the project, while the remaining 70 acres of the property would continue to be farmed.

The land is not proposed for permanent conversion. At the end of the project’s 20-year operating life, the facility will be removed and the affected area restored for agricultural use.

For context, the 29-acre footprint represents approximately 0.13% of Saugeen Shores’ estimated 21,700-acre agricultural land base. Neoen is also looking for opportunities to support local agricultural initiatives, food security and farmland restoration in the community.

Yes. There is extensive experience in Canada and internationally restoring agricultural land after temporary energy and infrastructure development. For example, the SunBridge Wind Farm in Saskatchewan was decommissioned after approximately 20 years of operation and the land was reclaimed for agricultural production. There is also extensive experience in Canada and internationally restoring land following pipelines, energy infrastructure and other temporary industrial uses. Research from Alberta, for example, shows that disturbed land can recover successfully when topsoil is protected, soil compaction is addressed and appropriate reclamation techniques are used.

For Neoen Battery, restoration is incorporated into the project design from the beginning. The battery containers and much of the supporting equipment will be installed on piles, which can be removed during decommissioning, along with the batteries, electrical equipment, roads and other project infrastructure.

Most importantly for future soil productivity, topsoil will be stripped separately, preserved and replaced during restoration, while compacted areas will be decompacted and regraded. These are established reclamation practices intended to restore soil structure, rooting conditions, drainage and fertility so that the land can support productive agriculture again.

Yes. The project has a Decommissioning Plan describing how the batteries, piles, electrical equipment, roads and other infrastructure will be removed and the site restored.

Neoen also has direct experience decommissioning energy infrastructure. In 2025, Neoen completed the decommissioning of the DeGrussa Solar Farm and Battery in Australia after the mine it supplied ceased operations.

Decommissioning of Neoen Battery will also be backed by financial security provided to the satisfaction of the Town of Saugeen Shores.

Decommissioning will be backed by a financial security provided to the satisfaction of the Town of Saugeen Shores. Before construction, Neoen will establish an appropriate form of security, such as a surety bond, sufficient to cover the required decommissioning and site-restoration work. This means the Town will not have to rely solely on Neoen’s future financial position to ensure decommissioning is completed.

Ontario has established requirements and guidance for decommissioning energy infrastructure. Provincial guidance requires decommissioning plans to address the removal of equipment and infrastructure, restoration of land and water, and the management of excess materials and waste. For projects on agricultural land, the objective is to return the site to a condition suitable for its future agricultural use.

These principles are incorporated into the project-specific Decommissioning Plan.

At the end of the project’s operating life, the batteries and other equipment will be removed and directed to appropriate recycling and material-recovery facilities.

Modern battery-recycling processes, including hydrometallurgy, can recover up to 98% of valuable materials such as lithium, iron and phosphate for potential reuse. Metals, electrical equipment and other project components would also be recycled or reused wherever practicable.

Neoen intends to use Canadian end-of-life and recycling solutions where technically and commercially available. Lithium-ion battery recycling capacity already exists in Canada, with additional capacity being developed in Québec and Ontario.

The objective is to maximize material recovery, minimize waste and ensure that remaining materials are handled in accordance with applicable environmental requirements.

The current design includes 344 battery containers. That number may be refined as the battery supplier and detailed design are finalized, but the project will remain within the approved 400 MW capacity and project footprint.

Yes. The 29-acre project footprint includes the full BESS facility area, including the access road, landscaping, berm and stormwater management system. The remainder of the property can continue to be used for agricultural purposes.

Construction is expected to begin once all required permits and approvals are in place.

The current schedule anticipates construction starting in Spring of 2027, subject to the timing of municipal and provincial approvals. Construction is expected to take approximately 18 months.

The workforce will vary over that period, with lower activity during site preparation and commissioning and a peak during the busiest construction phases.

We are assessing the quantity, type and potential sources of aggregate required for construction. Sourcing will consider local and regional availability as well as the technical specifications required for the facility.

Some aggregates used for the BESS may need to meet specific electrical and engineering requirements and may therefore differ from materials commonly used in local construction. Neoen will work to source materials responsibly and avoid placing unnecessary pressure on constrained local supplies.

The construction workforce will build up gradually rather than remain at peak level for the full 18-month construction period.

Neoen will prioritize local workers and contractors wherever possible, which will reduce the need for temporary accommodation. For workers coming from outside the area, accommodation needs will be planned with contractors in advance using existing regional housing, hotels and other available options in the Grey-Bruce area.

The objective will be to manage workforce accommodation responsibly and minimize additional pressure on the local housing supply during the temporary construction period.

The project will have several layers of monitoring rather than relying on a single control centre. These include Neoen’s own 24/7 monitoring, the battery supplier’s monitoring system, an Ontario-specific monitoring provider, and local personnel who can respond to the facility within 30 minutes.

The monitoring is proactive. It continuously tracks operating conditions such as temperature, voltage and equipment status so that abnormal conditions can be identified early. Equipment can be remotely shut down or isolated if required, with local technicians then dispatched to inspect the facility.

Neoen promoted the community events through a variety of local channels, including advertisements in the Saugeen Times and Shoreline Beacon, as well as weekly radio advertisements on Bruce 97.9FM.

Event information was also posted in public locations throughout Port Elgin and Southampton, including The Plex, the Public Library, the Saugeen Shores Chamber of Commerce, Post Offices and banks, and a number of local businesses. Powerlink also shared event information through its social media channels, helping to further extend community outreach and engagement.

Community engagement will continue throughout the permitting, detailed design and construction phases of the project. One of the next steps will be the creation of a Community Liaison Committee (CLC), which will provide a regular forum for local residents, neighbours, and other stakeholders to receive project updates, raise questions and discuss community concerns directly with the project team.

Neoen will also continue direct engagement with nearby residents, the Town of Saugeen Shores, Saugeen Ojibway Nation, emergency services and other local stakeholders, and will continue to share information as the project progresses.

Yes. The Bruce County Official Plan supports necessary infrastructure, energy investment, economic development and a strong and diversified local economy. The project supports these objectives by adding new electricity infrastructure, contributing to the local tax base and creating construction and service opportunities.

Importantly, the County’s new Official Plan (Plan the Bruce), further supports this direction by recognizing clean energy, economic investment and a more resilient energy system as important drivers of Bruce County’s economy. The Plan’s “Powering Our Communities” policies also support energy projects that increase the capacity and resilience of the system.

At the same time, the project has been designed to respect agricultural objectives. The planning approval being requested is site-specific to the BESS and does not convert the property to general industrial use. Most of the property will remain in agricultural production, and the project area is intended to be restored after decommissioning.

Finally, both the Government of Ontario and the Government of Canada have identified the expansion and modernization of electricity infrastructure, including battery energy storage, as an important priority to support future energy reliability and economic growth.

No. Neoen is solely proposing a battery development. We are making an unequivocal commitment that Neoen will never propose a data centre in Saugeen Shores.

No. The project does not convert the property into an industrial site.

The planning applications seek site-specific permission for a Battery Energy Storage System only, on the portion of the property required for the facility. The remainder of the property will remain in agricultural use.

Any unrelated future industrial use would require separate planning approvals and municipal review. At the end of the project’s operating life, the BESS will be removed and the affected land rehabilitated.

No. The BESS does not create new off-site setbacks that would prevent a neighbour from developing their land. All project infrastructure and safety measures are being accommodated within the leased project boundaries.

Any future development on neighbouring land would continue to be assessed through the normal municipal planning and permitting process based on the zoning and requirements that already apply to that property.

The project will continue through the required municipal, provincial and technical approval processes, including the planning applications, Class Environmental Assessment, detailed design and other permits required before construction. At the same time, Neoen will continue engagement with the Town of Saugeen Shores, Saugeen Ojibway Nation, neighbouring landowners, residents, emergency services and other stakeholders. Feedback received through these processes will continue to inform the project design before construction begins.