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500 MWh Production
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20,000 homes Supplied with electricity
Oxford BESS Project at a Glance
Boralex is proposing a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project in the Township of South-West Oxford, Oxford County, Ontario. The Oxford Battery Energy Storage Project (Project) is anticipated to have a capacity of up to 125 MW/ 500 MWh. Construction is anticipated to begin in Fall 2025.
Once constructed, the Project will help meet the energy capacity need identified by Ontario’s Independent Electrical System Operator (IESO) and will also benefit the overall Ontario electricity system. Commercial operation of this Project is planned for Q4 2026/Q1 2027.
Boralex is proud to be a Silver Sponsor at Woodstock’s Cowapolooza! We are excited to see you there, Friday August 8 and Saturday August 9!
Recent Updates
- Oxford Battery Energy Storage Project Inc. held its third Open House on July 21, 2025, at the Woodstock Art Gallery. Oxford Battery Energy Storage Project staff answered questions on the Community Risk Assessment, Fire Safety protocol, the project’s groundwater protection system, and general questions on the project and the upcoming construction.
- The Project is in its final development stages, as final municipal and provincial permits are expected to be obtained in Fall 2025. Construction will begin after the final approvals are obtained.
- The Project completed the Class Environmental Screening report in May 2025.
Understanding the Oxford energy storage project
After more than a decade of strong supply, Ontario has entered a period of emerging electricity system needs. To address this need, the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) is competitively securing 4,000 MW of capacity through the first Long Term Request for Proposals (LT1 RFP). Through the LT1 RFP, in 2024, Boralex was awarded the Oxford Battery Energy Storage Project to help address the IESO’s electricity demand.
The Project will provide reliable power capacity by drawing and storing energy from the grid during off-peak periods and releasing it back to the Ontario grid when energy demand is at its peak. The Project is expected to provide significant benefits to Ontario’s ratepayers by reducing the need and cost associated with using gas-fired power plants during times of peak demand as well as helping to clean Ontario’s electricity system.
The project will consist of containerized batteries, inverters, medium voltage transformers, gravel internal access roads, buried collector and communication cabling, a small transmission substation and potential garage and operations and maintenance building.
The Project will connect to an existing Hydro One transmission line located north of the proposed Project.
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Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
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Battery storage, or battery energy storage systems, are devices that enable energy from power sources, like hydroelectric, wind, and even the electrical grid itself, to be stored and then released when customers need power most. Lithium-ion batteries, which are used in mobile phones and electric cars, are currently the most-used storage technology for large scale energy storage projects to help electricity grids ensure a reliable supply of energy.
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Battery energy storage technology has a key part to play in ensuring homes and businesses can be powered, even when the sun isn’t shining, or the wind has stopped blowing. The energy system must match energy supply with customer demand. Battery energy storage systems charge up when energy sources are producing more energy than customers need and discharge during times of peak demand to provide a reliable, steady supply of energy.
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Battery energy storage systems are considerably more advanced than the batteries you keep in your kitchen drawer or insert in toys and other electronics. A battery energy storage system can be charged by electricity generated from renewable energy, like wind and hydroelectric power, as well as drawing and storing energy from the grid during off-peak periods.
Intelligent battery software uses algorithms to coordinate energy production. Computerized control systems are used to decide when to store the energy to provide reserves or release it to the grid. Energy is released from the battery energy storage system during times of peak demand, keeping costs down and electricity flowing.
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A battery energy storage system (BESS) project would consist of containerized batteries, inverters, medium voltage transformers, gravel internal access roads, buried collector and communication cabling, a small transmission substation, potential garage and operations and maintenance building, and connect to either a transmission system or distribution system depending on the system of the project.
The Oxford BESS project will also connect to an existing Hydro One transmission line located north of the proposed project.
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The project will contribute to the fight against climate change by mitigating the variability of renewable energy production and the cycling of natural gas facilities. Leveling this variability helps ensure the reliability and stability of the electricity grid as it fosters the penetration of renewable energies. A project like this also helps to reduce harmful emissions as it lightens the load of traditional energy generation systems that rely on fossil fuels, such as gas-fired power plants.
Potential environmental effects will be determined during the Class Environmental Assessment (EA) for Transmission Facilities in accordance with the Ontario Environmental Assessment Act. The Class EA is a streamlined process for transmission projects anticipated to have a predictable range of environmental effects that can feasibly be mitigated with protection measures. More information about the Class EA can be found on the Hydro One website here.
Latest documents on the Oxford BESS project
