Chatham-Kent council has given a thumbs up to supporting three battery storage projects that are in development in the municipality, as well as a natural gas cogeneration project.
The Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) is securing capacity by selecting electricity generation and storage projects in the province. To move forward in the selection process, the four companies needed a letter of support from the municipality.
The battery storage projects will draw and store electricity off-peak when power demand is low and return it when demand increases.
The IESO will now select which proposals are successful in the next few months. If the projects get a contract from the IESO and move to its next stage, they still have to get environmental and local land use approvals.
Council approved the battery storage projects with a letter of support by a vote of 11-2, with councillors Rhonda Jubenville and Amy Finn voting against giving municipal support.
Council unanimously gave its support for the natural gas cogeneration project.
