Tara Battery Energy Storage System
(Tara BESS)

Tara BESS is needed to meet Ontario’s growing electricity demand. The Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) forecasts a 75% increase in Ontario’s energy demand by 2050, which means an additional 111-terawatt hours (TWh) of energy is needed by 2050 to meet projected demand (1 TWh = 1 million-megawatt hour (MWh)). 

111 TWh = 111 million MWh 

To maintain grid reliability across Ontario, the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO)IESO launched the Long-Term 1 (LT1) procurement to secure new capacity. Tara BESS is part of this initiative— one of ten energy storage projects awarded under LT1, collectively adding 1,784 MW of storage capacity.

With 400 MW / 1,600 MWh of flexible, fast-response energy, Tara BESS will help stabilise Ontario’s grid, support renewable energy integration, and ensure reliable power for decades to come.

No. The original site has been abandoned.

Neoen extends its thanks to the many residents, stakeholders, and Rights-holders who contributed to our engagement process. Your feedback was instrumental in our decision to cancel development at the originally proposed location.

We will soon renew our engagement efforts to explore alternative locations on this project as part of local clean energy infrastructure.

We appreciate your patience and welcome your input at info@tarabattery.ca

400 megawatts (MW) / 1,600 megawatt-hours (MWh). The batteries will be able to store 400 MW of energy for 4 hours. A typical daily cycle of operations is to charge at night when there is an excess of power and discharge during the evening, at peak demand, when the energy is most needed.

Battery capacity: 400 MW / 1,600 MWh 

Ontario household average: ~4.16 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per household for 4 hours

Equivalent supply: ~385,000 households for 4 hours 

Neoen would like to work with Saugeen and Nawash to re-name the project to reflect our partnership and better reflect the community, culture and values of SON.

• Need landowner willingness to lease the land for the project
• Be as close as possible to the transmission line to avoid building new transmission lines and minimize impact 

• Avoid natural heritage features: watercourses, wetlands, trees  

• Avoid Conservation Authorities’ regulated areas and Environment Protected zoning  

• Be 300 m away from existing buildings and homes for noise setbacks  

• Be at least 10 km away from Bruce Power and Owen Sound due to electrical short-circuit issues

The land has been farmed for decades and is currently used for agriculture, growing hay and soybeans.

At Neoen, we work hard to minimize environmental impacts, starting with site selection.

Neoen will undertake and expense studies to analyze, avoid and mitigate potential impacts. This includes environmental surveys, which are conducted by NRSI, an Indigenous-owned environmental firm, archeological surveys, hydrogeological surveys, and any other study or survey required by SON.

Before any construction, we conduct all the proper studies and put in place stringent safeguards above industry standards to mitigate any risk of contamination. Due to industry safeguards across North America, there has never been an impact on groundwater from a battery installation.

Yes, Neoen has been in regular communication with SON’s EO regarding the site selection process, and the impact on natural and cultural heritage.

Technical studies completed in support of permits and approvals will determine if endangered species or habitat are present in the project site and may be impacted by the project. Potential impacts identified through technical studies will be assessed to determine, in consultation with SON, approaches to avoid and mitigate the potential impacts.

There are no plans to expand the site. Any proposed expansion would be subject to permits and approvals, and in consultation with SON.

Adhering to all municipal, provincial, and federal permitting, we are working on emergency preparedness in line with local Fire and Emergency Services, emergency management in Ontario, industry experts, and local communities in the development of the proposed Project. This includes fire safety management, community safeguards, and state-of-the-art equipment designed to reduce risk. The Project will adhere to NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) 855, UL9540, UL9540A safety standards protocols that ensure project safety.

No. Unlike other technologies, batteries generate zero waste and zero emissions during their operations. At the end of their life, batteries will be refurbished for alternative uses or processed at domestic recycling facilities.

No. Neoen proposes to plant more trees around the facility as part of a landscaping plan for visual mitigation.

Yes, a significant amount of the materials in lithium-ion batteries (lithium, nickel, cobalt, copper, aluminum) can be recovered. Batteries packs will be transported out of the site and disassembled in special facilities. The modular systems (batteries installed in racks) are easy to disassemble and follow design-for-recycling principles. Batteries cells can be re-used for a second life (electrical vehicles, e-bikes, domestic appliances).

Yes, it is emerging. Tesla is developing an in-house battery recycling in their facilities in the US. Battery packs can be returned to Tesla after their end of life. Tesla guarantees that 100% of the battery packs returned to them are recycled and none are landfilled.

We can also work with Li-Cycle, an Ontario-based company created in 2016 to recycle lithium -ion batteries, which was recently acquired by Glencore.

The industry is proactively planning for responsible decommissioning, reuse, and recycling of batteries.

Neoen is not involved in the sourcing of lithium. Neoen buys the battery packs from the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), such as Tesla. Tesla mostly sources lithium from Australia, Argentina, Chile and China.

The project will occupy up to 20 acres. To compare with other technologies, a 400 MW solar farm would need 100 times more land (2,000 acres) and a 400 MW wind farm would span over 1,000 times more land (20,000 acres). 20 acres represents approximately 15 football fields.

The project will comprise of 420 battery packs, 3 high-voltage transformers, an operations and maintenance building, and a stormwater pond.

No. A new HV line is outside the scope of the contract that was awarded and would result in more impact and disruption to the environment.

The project is contracted for 20 years. The batteries could be used for an extra 5 years after the contract ends. After 20-25 years of operations, the project can typically operate at 75-80% of its initial capacity.

Safety is a top priority at Neoen. Our safety culture is exemplified by more than 15 years of development experience and operator of utility scale battery projects.

Neoen has designed the Tara Battery with passive and active protection features to mitigate the environmental and operational risks.

A Comprehensive Safety Plan (CSP), which outlines how Tara Battery and the Neoen team will prevent, mitigate, and respond to hazard events, will submitted as part of Neoen’s planning applications, and Neoen will continue to develop the CSP in coordination with- and to the satisfaction of the County and Municipality.

Core elements of our fire safety approach include:

• Prevent (careful technology selection, safety certification, installation codes, testing for performance)
• Monitor (24/7 staffed monitoring facility and maintenance program) 
• Respond (work with local response teams through training and coordination)

With a combination of passive and active systems: advanced battery management systems to monitor the facility 24/7, liquid cooling for thermal control, fire detection sensors, and physical isolation between battery modules. Each battery container includes built-in fire barriers, remote monitoring, and automated shutdown mechanisms to prevent thermal runaway. Additionally, installations follow international fire safety standards like NFPA 855 and UL 9540A, and are typically spaced to limit fire spread between units.

As part of its Emergency Response Plan, Neoen will train SON’s firefighters and will organize demonstrations with the help of the battery manufacturer and specialized agencies such as Energy Safety Response Group.

With sealed battery enclosures, enclosed liquid cooling systems, and environmental sensors that detect fluid or pressure anomalies. The system will include containment features and meets international safety and environmental standards.

Neoen will fully decommission the project and restore the land back to its pre-development status. The battery packs, electrical installations and foundation will be removed. A decommissioning plan will be developed and Neoen will provide a decommissioning security to the municipality to make sure that funds are set apart to finance the decommissioning of the project.