Proposed Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendments for Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS)

BESS is an emerging technology using batteries and associated equipment to store excess energy from the electrical grid, which can then discharge energy in periods of high demand. They are used to provide backup power to individual sites as well as to support the provincial grid. Since phasing out natural gas fired power stations, the Ontario government has forecasted the need to expand the electricity grid to meet higher electrification of large energy consuming sectors, including transportation, manufacturing, water and building envelope heating. The additional capacity required has targeted renewable energy sources, including solar and wind as well as storage.

On May 9, 2024, the Independent Electricity Systems Operator (IESO) executed contracts with ten (10) proposed transmission scale BESS projects in the province, two (2) of which are to be located in Ottawa Rural Wards 5 and 21. Public meetings were held by the BESS proponents as directed by the IESO through their Long-Term 1 (LT1) Request for Proposals process.

Both battery energy storage system projects will be required to meet all municipal planning approvals and by-laws (zoning, noise, fire, building code, etc.) that are currently in place and which may be approved as part of an upcoming report this fall. Proposed Official Plan and Zoning By-law provisions are intended to outline specific requirements for BESS in the development approvals process.

Provisions are being developed in a manner that is consistent with the Official Plan and ensures locally sensitive opportunities for new REGF developments.

Public and Stakeholder Input

Public and stakeholder input is an important part of developing locally-sensitive zoning provisions. In meeting the directives of the Official Plan, public and stakeholder input is recorded and considered carefully. Staff encourage residents and key stakeholders to provide feedback and participate in this process. Every effort will be made to incorporate feedback and requests submitted into the upcoming amendments, to the extent possible within the framework of the Planning Act.

For more information or to comment on the upcoming report click here.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about BESS technology can be found here