The Quinte Energy Storage Centre is an Advanced Compressed Air Energy (A-CAES) storage facility under development in Lennox and Addington County, that can help support the long-term supply options in the vicinity of the ageing Lennox Generating station once operational. The project will be 500 MW with additional phases under consideration that could allow for a total capacity of 2,000 MW+ in the region.
About the project
Once operational in the 2030s, the project will enhance electricity reliability in Ontario and provide long-duration energy storage (LDES) with a minimum duration of 8 hours. As Ontario faces major growth in electricity demand, anticipating a 75% increase by 2050, and a capacity shortfall of 12-15 GW by 2035, this project will directly support the needs of Ontario by providing non-emitting dispatchable capacity while maximizing off-peak excess power from nuclear, intermittent renewables and other generation to charge.
Deploying when the grid needs electricity most, Quinte ESC will allow Ontario consumers to benefit first from domestically generated electricity. The project is well positioned to strengthen grid reliability for Ontario ratepayers at low marginal cost.
Project highlights
Benefits
Driving economic growth
As a significant infrastructure project with a 50+ year lifetime, the Quinte ESC will provide a stable revenue source for local communities, as well as significant investments into the regional economy with high-value job creation. A-CAES plants use standard components, including turbines, compressors, and heat exchangers and enable workers from the fossil-fuel industry to transfer existing skills to the clean energy future.
The Project will create opportunities and economic growth for Ontario in the emerging cleantech sector, including hundreds of new construction jobs during the multi-year construction window and dozens of new permanent operations jobs. Among the benefits of A-CAES technology is that its capital and labour-intensive construction process means a higher proportion of spending takes place within the region where projects are commissioned, as compared to internationally sourced components such as lithium-ion batteries that require regular replacement.
A-CAES is one of the lowest cost resources for long duration energy storage available today, with strong applicability across Ontario.
Meeting Ontario’s Capacity Needs
According to the Independent Electricity System Operator, Ontario will require an additional 12–15 GW of new electricity capacity by the early 2030s to address growing demand, electrification, expiring contracts, and retirements of aging resources. With demand peaks expected to reach 35 GW by 2050, this represents an unprecedented challenge for the grid.
The Quinte ESC provides a scalable, reliable, non-emitting energy source capable of addressing these shortfalls over its 50+ year lifespan. Its long-duration energy storage capability ensures reliable power delivery over extended periods, making it critical for maintaining system stability as Ontario transitions to a low-carbon economy.
Driving Decarbonization
The Quinte ESC will play a vital role in Ontario’s decarbonization strategy by integrating with and balancing the province’s non-emitting energy mix, including nuclear, hydro, and renewables. Its storage capacity supports the grid by capturing excess energy, such as off-peak surplus nuclear generation, and dispatching it during peak demand.
This flexibility is essential for reducing reliance on fossil fuels, and achieving Ontario’s emissions reduction targets. Additionally, the project enables greater adoption of intermittent renewables like wind and solar by mitigating periods of low generation. For example, during severe weather events or operational challenges, it ensures that clean energy remains available, reducing risks associated with the energy transition.
Strategic Locational Benefits
Located near Ontario’s nuclear facilities in Durham, the Quinte ESC leverages off-peak surplus generation while facilitating efficient energy transfer to load centres in the Greater Toronto Area and Ottawa. This strategic placement also helps alleviate capacity challenges resulting from the planned retirement of regional legacy assets, which could leave a significant gap in Eastern Ontario’s power supply.
The Quinte project and total A-CAES deployment potential of 2,000 MW, can ensure the region’s electricity supply remains strong while offering additional regional transmission benefits. By absorbing energy during low-demand periods and dispatching it during peak times, the project reduces dependence on nearby fossil fuel plants, supports regional grid stability, and eliminates the need for costly transmission upgrades.
Supports Net-Zero Targets
The Project can charge from existing clean energy resources such as nuclear, hydro, and wind when supply from these resources could otherwise be lost or sold to neighbouring jurisdictions at a discount. Discharging this energy during periods of high demand, and for a long duration (8+ hours), replaces the need for the IESO to call upon carbon-emitting resources to maintain system reliability.
Technology Differentiation
A-CAES can be constructed in places where other forms of large-scale synchronous storage cannot (pumped hydro and traditional gas-fired CAES) and provides grid benefits that other forms of non-synchronous storage such as batteries, cannot. A-CAES also has an excellent intrinsic safety profile compared to other electro-chemical storage resources.
Furthermore, as a non-emitting resource, A-CAES can support direct emissions reductions when operating, with a compact footprint, less water requirements, and greater siting flexibility; and lower lifecycle environmental impacts compared to other storage alternatives, particularly when taking into account supply-chain impacts and raw material extraction.
Provide non-emitting dispatchable capacity
Stimulate economic growth and new jobs
Advance emission reduction targets
Ratepayer affordability
A cost-effective solution for Ontario’s emerging electricity needs, while maximizing reliability, affordability, and sustainability. As Ontario moves towards its objective of achieving a net-zero electricity grid, and supporting large economic development growth, it will require large-scale, long duration storage to fully integrate increasing levels of clean generation capacity. A-CAES is the solution.
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