Following the May 2024 announcement of three Six Nations of the Grand River Development Corporation (SNGRDC) battery energy storage system (BESS) projects being awarded Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) contracts, SNGRDC and its partner, Aypa Power, will be conducting a Community Investment Review for two of these projects: the Hedley and Elora BESS Projects.
The Hedley BESS Project will be located in Haldimand County outside of Hagersville, and the Elora BESS Project will be in Centre Wellington Township. The projects have a combined nameplate capacity of 422 MW and will inject energy back into the grid during peak usage times.
The Hedley and Elora BESS Projects are expected to result in numerous benefits to the Six Nations community over their operational lifespans, including over $2.4 million in combined average annual yield to the community, significant investments in post-secondary education, and more. The projects are also estimated to collectively offset carbon emissions by 3.6 to 4.9 million tonnes over a 20-year period, equivalent to the carbon absorbed by 60-80 million tree seedlings grown for 10 years.
“These two projects are a valuable addition to our existing economic interest portfolio and will considerably increase our capacity to give back to the Six Nations community through avenues such as the Economic Development Trust,” said Matt Jamieson, President and CEO of SNGRDC. “I encourage community members to attend our information sessions to see how these projects will benefit our community in the years to come.”
“Our collaboration with the SNGRDC on the Hedley and Elora BESS Projects represents a valuable partnership, reflecting the remarkable legacy of resilience and self-determination within the Six Nations community,” said Moe Hajabed, CEO of Aypa Power. “We look forward to building a strong and enduring relationship in the years ahead.”
The Six Nations community is invited to attend information sessions on both projects to learn more and to ask questions. These sessions will take place on the following dates in the SNGRDC boardroom (2498 Chiefswood Road, Ohsweken):
- Saturday, July 20, 2024, from 10:00am – 1:00pm
- Thursday, July 25, 2024, from 5:00pm – 8:00pm
Community members are also invited to provide feedback on the projects during the project commentary period, which ends August 9, 2024. Feedback can be submitted in person to the SNGRDC office at 2498 Chiefswood Road, Ohsweken, online at www.snfuture.com, or via email to info@snfuture.com. Additionally, project information, documents, and agreements are also publicly available on www.snfuture.com.
