Wednesday, May 20, 2026
The Napanee Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project has reached completion and the start of commercial operations, on-budget and approximately five weeks ahead of schedule.
The 250-megawatt (MW) facility, capable of powering 250,000 homes for up to four hours during peak demand periods, is one of the largest operating battery storage projects in Canada. The project, valued at $600 million, was selected through the Independent Electricity System Operator’s (IESO) Expedited Long-Term 1 (ELT-1) competitive procurement, which was launched by the Ontario Government in 2022, and supported the single largest battery procurement in Canadian history.
“Ontario is building the infrastructure needed to power growth, protect jobs, and keep energy reliable and affordable for families,” said Stephen Lecce, Minister of Energy and Mines. “The completion of the Napanee Battery Energy Storage System is a major step forward in strengthening our clean electricity grid and securing eastern Ontario’s energy future.”
The Napanee BESS includes 284 battery storage units, transformer stations, transmission connection facilities and ancillary components that will store electricity from Ontario’s nuclear facilities during periods of low demand and return that stored power to the system when demand is higher. The project leveraged the province’s made-in-Ontario supply chain through 72 medium voltage transformers, built at Stein Industries in London, Ontario that were purchased via Nbisiing Power, an Indigenous-owned business operating in Nipissing First Nation.
“At Atura Power, we are investing in modern technologies that strengthen system reliability and enable the integration of more intermittent non emitting generation, while maintaining the dependable electricity supply Ontarians rely on every day. Delivering this project ahead of schedule and on budget reflects the skill and dedication of our project team, including our joint venture partner Ameresco Canada, and the many trades and engineering professionals who made it possible,” said Tom Patterson, president and CEO, Atura Power.
Featured image: (Atura Power)
