Brockton Council will wait until November 28 to consider support for a proposed Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) in the former Township of Greenock.
Alectra Convergent Development JV has qualified for the Independent Electricity System Operator's (IESO) Long-Term Procurement to provide capacity to the electrical system through new battery storage assets. According to a report to council, these systems are being proposed across the province to support faster and more affordable connection of new loads as an alternative to traditional poles and wire infrastructure. A Municipal Council Resolution is a key component of Alectra’s successful application.
Mayor Chris Peabody said there is a petition in opposition to the project on a 15 acre site at 1091 Sideroad 5.
"Forty people signed it," said Peabody. "So it's a petition that says the residents, and Friends the Greenock Swamp, are petitioning to have property on Sideroad 5 adjacent to the swamp remain as is, rather than allowing a battery storage facility being built and removing agricultural land from production in that area."
Peabody was also in favour of waiting because Bruce County planners will be doing a report.
"The County is in the process of identifying lands zoned to rural which would be suitable for these matters to facilitate the rezoning process in a better manner than, for example, selecting lands that are zoned A1," he explained. "So I think it would be good to wait a little bit till the county planning department comes up with that map."
"This would not just be for Brockton, of course, but for all properties in Bruce County, which might be subject to a battery storage facility," Peabody continued. "So I do think, to make sure we get all the information out there, I think we should have a report from county planning on this, also."
Deputy Mayor James Lang says he's hearing concerns from residents.
"There's a lot more negative, than positive, in this and I'd certainly like to know more," he added. "So I would definitely support a deferment."
The land owner will be entering a land lease arrangement with Alectra for a 21-year period.
A public meeting was held November 9 in Cargill, and a second meeting is now planned for November 22. It will be a virtual format, but council is looking at ways to also host it as in person event.