On Power of Longueil, Quebec has been selected to build Saskatchewan’s first ever utility-scale battery energy storage system (BESS). The 20-megawatt facility, to be built in northeast Regina, will be able to power up to 20,000 homes for one hour.

“Reliable and sustainable sources of energy are vital to building healthier communities,” said the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities. “Through our collaboration with provincial partners, SaskPower’s first Battery Energy Storage System will help us reach net-zero by 2050.”

“This new battery energy storage facility will be an important part of modernizing Saskatchewan’s power grid,” said Don Morgan, Minister responsible for SaskPower. “Innovative solutions such as battery energy storage will allow SaskPower to better utilize our renewable power, playing a vital role as we work towards net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.”

Incorporating battery energy storage into the system will allow SaskPower to respond more quickly to short-term fluctuations as more intermittent renewable generation such as wind and solar is added to the mix.

As the first of its kind in Saskatchewan, the Regina facility will serve as an opportunity for SaskPower to gain experience operating and maintaining battery storage systems and take full advantage of their benefits.

“We are excited to be selected for this project and look forward to delivering a world class BESS system for SaskPower,” said Marc Beliveau, On Power Solution Specialist. “We would also like to thank our partners who helped make this happen which are Saft America’s (SAFT), Island Technical Installations (ITI), Power Electronics and InAccess.”

This project will cost an estimated $26 million and will be funded in part by the Government of Canada through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program. Construction will begin on the project starting this spring and be completed in 2023.

For further information on this project, please visit Battery Energy Storage System.

At a glance...

• On Power has been selected to build SaskPower’s first Battery Energy Storage System
• The facility will balance the power system and support renewables such as wind and solar
• Visit Battery Energy Storage System for more information