The Oneida Energy Storage Project is a 250MW/1,000 MWh advanced-stage, stand-alone lithium-ion battery storage project in Haldimand County, representing one of the largest clean energy storage projects in the world.

It will deliver critical capacity and improved efficiency to Ontario’s energy grid. It will double the amount of energy storage resources on Ontario’s clean electricity grid from approximately 225 MW today to approximately 475 MW when the project is completed in 2025. Financial close was reached on May 17, 2023.

The Project is owned by a partnership consisting of NRStor Inc., Six Nations of the Grand River Development Corporation, Northland Power and Aecon. Canada Infrastructure Bank provided financing for the Project and the Project has a 20-year contract with the Ontario Independent Electricity System Operator.

Torys LLP acted as counsel to Oneida Energy Storage as the successful proponent with a team being led by Krista Hill and includes Adam Banack, Stephen Neil, Daniel Masliyah and Emily Stewart (energy/corporate), Jonathan Myers and Henry Ren (energy regulatory), Milosz Zemanek and Vidushi Hora (financing), Andy Gibbons and Leslie Blumer (real estate), Richard Johnson and Ian Farndon (tax).

Northland Power was represented by BLG with a team led by Rob Blackstein (energy, corporate, M&A) along with John Vellone (power purchase agreement, energy regulatory), Christine Ferguson (infrastructure, corporate), Colm Boyle (energy regulatory), Richard Manias and Anthony Deluca (real estate), Tiffany Murray and Rachael Belanger (financial services), Cherie Brant and Kay Turner (Indigenous matters), Steve Suarez (tax) and Jonathan Cocker (environmental). Northland Power was also represented by in-house counsel Cris Schieda and Christoper Zawadzki.

Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP acted as counsel to Aecon with a team that included William Buchner and Alex Maly (Infrastructure).

McCarthy Tetrault LLP acted as counsel to Canada Infrastructure Bank.

Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP acted as counsel to the Ontario Independent Electricity System Operator.

Fogler Rubinoff acted as counsel to Six Nations of the Grand River Development Corporation.