Contentious rural Ottawa battery facility gets nod from council

City council has thrown its support behind a contentious battery facility in rural west Ottawa, after rural councillors rebuffed the same appeal last week.

At a Wednesday meeting, councillors voted overwhelmingly to support the proposal from Evolugen, a renewable energy company based in Gatineau, Que.

The company is seeking to build a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) on a 4.5-hectare plot of rural land off Marchurst Road, about 30 kilometres west of downtown Ottawa.

"My residents now see that we are kind of the guinea pigs," said West Carleton-March Coun. Clarke Kelly, whose ward will be home to the project.

"[Rural property] is where we're going to put these projects to bolster regional economic development — and I think that's where you'll see some resentments from rural residents."

But councillors who spoke in favour of the project cited the rapidly growing energy needs of Ottawa residents and businesses, as well as the potential for the technology to help wean the city off fossil fuels.

Kanata North Coun. Cathy Curry said the project plays a crucial role in everything from fighting climate change to stimulating economic development.

"Energy is the new gold," she said.

'Significant milestone,' company says

BESS facilities are large batteries, housed in containers, that store energy generated at off-peak hours to be used when demand is higher.

They are useful for storing renewable energy, as they allow customers to access power that's been generated by wind turbines and solar panels, even when winds aren't blowing or the sun isn't shining.

The Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO), a Crown corporation responsible for managing Ontario's energy market, had already granted Evolugen a contract to build the facility.

But the company, which is equal partners with the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation on the project, needed the official blessing of council to move forward.

In a written statement, Evolugen called Wednesday's vote "a significant milestone."

"The company is grateful for the thoughtful engagement and consideration demonstrated by council and staff throughout this process," the statement read.

The company declined an interview request, even though a group of representatives was present at the meeting.

Evolugen must still go through "comprehensive technical studies," according to the city, including a detailed site plan and assessments for noise, safety and environmental impact.

Fire chief reassures residents

Councillors discussed the issue before a gallery that featured a small contingent of opponents wearing matching t-shirts that read "Stop Marchurst BESS."

"We will rally," said Courtney Argue, one of the dissenters, after the decision. "It's proving over and over again that rural voices aren't heard."

The company was on its second attempt at pitching the project to neighbouring residents, who showed up in large numbers to a rural affairs meeting last week.

Of the more than 60 people who spoke at the nearly 10-hour meeting, most voiced staunch opposition to the project.

The loss of farmland and the risk of fire or well water contamination were the most common concerns. More than 1,400 people signed a hand-written petition against the project.

But Ottawa Fire Services Chief Paul Hutt said his team will consider Evolugen's detailed proposal when it comes and develop emergency plans for safety and fire suppression.

"In the event that there is an incident, we're going to have it all pre-planned before that time," he said.

Curry also struck a reassuring tone.

"The consultation will now begin," she said. "There is a lot more to come on this. This is the beginning, not the end."

The final vote was 20-3 in favour of the project. Along with Kelly, Barrhaven East Coun. Wilson Lo and Rideau-Jock Coun. David Brown voted against it.