The Joints Chiefs and Councils of the Saugeen Ojibway Nation have issued a letter to the Town of Saugeen Shores, endorsing the proposed location for a new battery storage plant.
Neoen Ontario has applied to establish a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) facility at 752 Concession 2, just south of Port Elgin. The proposed 400-megawatt facility holds a 20-year contract with the Independent Electricity System Operator to store surplus energy and supply power during peak demand.
SON issued a letter to the Town on November 4, saying it has been working with Neoen on archeological assessments and environmental surveys to identify a suitable site for the BESS, and the proposed location is preferred.
"This project represents a strong investment in clean energy within our Territory and an opportunity for economic reconciliation, skills training and shared benefits," read the letter from Saugeen First Nation Chief Sonya Roote and Chippewas of Nawash Chief Veronica Smith. "Following a review of the application by your planning staff, we trust we will have your Council's support for this project."
Following his re-election as Mayor of Saugeen Shores on October 26, Luke Charbonneau said the battery storage project would be the first big task of the new council.
"We have this proposed (BESS) in Saugeen Township which people are concerned about," he said on election night. "That's job one to get our minds wrapped around that and have a good public process."
An online petition opposing the project has over 450 signatures, while the National Farmers Union-Ontario cited concerns with the use of land zoned for agriculture for the project.
Saugeen Shores Council will hold its inaugural meeting on November 16. The following week, a public meeting on rezoning land for the BESS is set for November 23 at 6:30 p.m. at the Municipal Office.
To learn more about the project, visit Bruce County's Land Use Planning page.
