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City Council Backs $750 Million Energy Storage Proposal for the Sault
Sault Ste. Marie City Council has given support in principle to two massive battery-energy storage projects — a combined $750 million investment that could reshape Northern Ontario’s energy landscape.
Aypa Power Canada LP is proposing two long-term capacity projects at 1091 Great Northern Road, with a total of 570 megawatts (MW) of storage capacity. One project would deliver 380 MW, while the other adds 190 MW, together generating enough power for 150,000 homes every day.
The projects will now be submitted to Ontario’s Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) as part of a provincial competition to increase clean-energy storage for the 2030s and beyond.
If approved, Aypa would enter a 20-year contract with the city, including:
$3,000 annually in community benefit payments for 20 years ($1.7 million total)
A community fund starting in 2029 with $25,000 per year for local organizations
$10,000 seed funding before 2029
Ongoing property tax revenue for the municipality
Construction could last 12 to 16 months, generating about 200 local jobs and an estimated $30 million in short-term economic activity. Once operational, the site would maintain about six permanent positions, contributing roughly $850,000 per year in local impact.
While most councillors supported the motion in a 9-2 vote, Councillors Lisa Vezeau-Allen and Angela Caputo voted against it, citing the need for more detailed information about Aypa Power. Mayor Matthew Shoemaker emphasized that the request was only for a letter of support at this early stage.
If successful, these projects would be among the largest battery-storage installations in Northern Ontario, linking to the city’s new 2029 transmission line and strengthening the regional power grid for decades to come.
