In 2025, the City of Ottawa established official plan and zoning provisions for battery energy storage uses in accordance with new Official Plan policy.
Does Ottawa have a battery energy storage plan?
In 2025, the City of Ottawa established official plan and zoning provisions for battery energy storage uses in accordance with new Official Plan policy. BESS is an emerging technology using batteries and associated equipment to store excess energy from the electrical grid, which can then discharge energy in periods of high demand.
Who owns the energy supply in Ottawa?
While the Province is the regulator and owner of electricity generation supplies, municipalities have siting authority over new proposed renewable energy generation and storage projects, such as BESS. The amendments approved today would set policy direction for siting BESS within Ottawa's rural and urban areas.
This post has been updated with a comment from Evolugen's Geoff Wright. A proposed 250-megawatt battery storage project in Ottawa's rural west is down but not out, after the city's Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee (ARAC) voted unanimously last week to reject the plan.
Who approves energy storage systems in Ontario?
The primary authority for the Installation and Approval of Energy Storage Systems connected to the electrical grid in Ontario is the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA). The ESA administers Part VIII of the Electricity Act and oversees the Ontario Electrical Safety Code (OESC).
The report begins by recognising the complexity and uniqueness of BESS installations, recommending the addition of a new section to the City of Ottawa's development guidelines, known as the Official Plan, specifically aimed at new battery storage facilities.
City approval is being sought for a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) near Dunrobin. A map posted on the website of Evolugen shows the location of the proposed South March Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) at 2555 and 2625 Marchurst Rd. near Dubrobin. Photo by EVOLUGEN / HANDOUT