Boralex commissions Sanjgon, its first operational battery site in Canada
Boralex announces the commissioning of Sanjgon, an 80 MW facility in Ontario, marking its first battery energy storage project in North America.
| Countries | Canada |
|---|---|
| Companies | Boralex, Tesla |
| Sector | Stockage énergie |
| Theme | Investissements & Transactions |
Boralex inc. has commissioned the Sanjgon battery energy storage facility in the municipality of Lakeshore, Ontario. With a capacity of 80 megawatts (MW) and 320 megawatt-hours (MWh), the project is the company’s first operational storage infrastructure in North America. Developed in partnership with the Walpole Island First Nation, the installation marks a milestone in Boralex’s expansion strategy into the storage market.
Local partnership and community designation
Originally named the Tilbury project, the site has been renamed Sanjgon, a word from the Nishnaabemwin language used by the Walpole Island First Nation to describe traditional storage practices. The project was developed in collaboration with the Indigenous community. The facility includes 89 Tesla Megapack 2XL units, lithium-ion batteries designed for large-scale utility applications.
Selected by Ontario’s Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) through its expedited long-term request for proposals process, the site is designed to deliver stable backup power over a four-hour period. The deployment aims to strengthen the resilience of Ontario’s electricity grid amid rising demand.
Local financial engagement
An agreement has been signed between Boralex and the Municipality of Lakeshore, providing for an annual payment of CAD1,000 per megawatt of capacity, totalling CAD80,000 ($60,000) per year for the project’s lifespan. These funds are intended to support community initiatives in the region. The commissioning of Sanjgon also precedes the imminent start-up of the Hagersville site, which will bring Boralex’s total storage capacity to 380 MW in Canada.
With several storage projects already under development, including the Oxford project, the company is strengthening its position in energy infrastructure with high operational value. The commissioning of Sanjgon aligns with Boralex’s 2030 Strategy, which aims to increase the share of storage assets alongside renewable generation capacity.
Technical capacity and regulatory framework
The installed system enables instant power delivery at full load for four hours, meeting the grid’s flexibility needs. The site is designed to provide stabilisation and backup functions during peak periods. This type of infrastructure is part of Ontario’s Resource Adequacy Framework, which addresses the province’s growing electricity system requirements.
The Sanjgon project confirms Boralex’s intent to expand operations into storage, a sector identified as a priority in the rapidly evolving North American market. The company continues to explore regional opportunities that can maximise asset profitability while meeting network reliability expectations.
