The Ontario government has announced the start of construction on a new battery energy storage project in York Region.

Once completed, the York Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) will store and release 120 MW of electricity, enough to power 120,000 homes.

“Here in York Region and across the province, energy demand is rising. That is why our government is moving forward with an ambitious plan to generate and store more affordable, reliable and clean power for our families, farms, and businesses,” said Energy Minister Stephen Lecce. “Thanks to projects like this one, Ontario is on track to have the largest battery storage fleet in the nation and the third largest in North America, which will result in a more efficient grid and help keep energy costs down.”

In May 2024 the Ontario government concluded the largest battery storage procurement in Canadian history, which secured about 3,000 MW of new battery energy storage, enough to power three million homes.

Capital Power was selected during the government’s first procurement framework to build two battery storage projects – including the York BESS – representing a total of 170 MW of energy storage. Capital Power anticipates that the York BESS will reach commercial operation by August 2025.

“Building affordable, clean, and reliable electric generation for our growing communities in Northern York Region and South Simcoe is essential to supporting local families and businesses,” said York-Simcoe MPP Caroline Mulroney. “By bringing the York Battery Energy Storage System to our region, we will ensure our electricity system remains one of the cleanest electricity systems in the world.”

Once completed the York BESS will help meet rising demand for power in the Greater Toronto Area and across the province. It will also make the province’s grid more efficient by drawing and storing electricity off-peak when power demand is low and returning the power to the system at times of higher electricity demand.

Ontario’s Independent Electricity System Operator forecasts that the province’s electricity demand will increase by 75 percent by 2050.