CAFES has long been active in advocating for a more enabling planning and zoning regime for Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) in the City of Ottawa.
Most recently, CAFES delivered an impactful public delegation during the Planning and Housing Committee meeting on February 5th, 2025. You can watch the recording of the committee meeting here (CAFES starts presenting at 59:40) and check out our presentation below. We are concerned that the City’s permitting rules are too restrictive and this will prevent energy storage projects to come to Ottawa.
Prior to this, in October 2024, CAFES made a formal submission when the City made a proposal to amend the Official Plan and pass a Zoning By-law Amendment, and again submitted an alternative proposal when this came to the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee (ARAC) on January 23rd, 2025. Watch the ARAC committee recording here (CAFES starts at 1:49:30) and see our presentation at this link.
Our successful lunch and learn event at the Kanata North Technology Park on January 30th, entitled “Ottawa’s Electric Future”, was incredibly successful with about 100 residents, community leaders, not-for-profits, business leaders, tech people, engineers, Ottawa Hydro and City Councillors attending. The session was opened by Councillor Cathy Curry, speaking both as Kanata North Councillor and as acting Deputy Mayor. The launch of the Dunsky BESS Report was well received. You can read more about this event here.
Stay tuned for a full CAFES project report on our BESS advocacy work - coming in March 2025!
In September 2023, the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the deployment of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS). However, by December of the same year, concerns emerged among Ward 5 residents and Councillor Clarke Kelly due to perceived insufficient community consultation and worries about potential risks associated with large-scale lithium battery installations.
Acknowledging the need for open dialogue, Councillor Clarke Kelly partnered with CAFES to organize a community engagement workshop titled “Our Power Grid” on March 4, 2024, at the West Carleton Community Complex in Kinburn, Ontario. Nearly one hundred residents, encompassing both proponents and skeptics of BESS technology, packed the venue. They convened to explore topics ranging from Ontario’s energy needs to the intricacies of local grid projects.
The workshop featured expert presentations, a robust Q&A session, and breakout discussions aimed at fostering a deeper understanding of BESS technology and its implications for the community. CAFES documented the day’s proceedings in a detailed report and produced a short highlights video, available for viewing here.
The event underscored the importance of proactive and inclusive community engagement in shaping Ontario’s electricity landscape. Participants expressed a collective desire for enhanced information sharing during consultation processes to cultivate trust and transparency. Councillor Clarke Kelly deemed the workshop a resounding success, emphasizing its role in facilitating constructive dialogue and informed decision-making within the community.
