Battery storage facility similar to this one in California is being considered for Fort Frances. Credit 3BLMedia/Ernesto Sanchez

The current owners of the former mill lagoon property in Fort Frances continue to eye potential uses for the land.

A battery storage facility is the latest to be put forward to town council for their support.

It would store energy from renewable energy projects like solar.

A solar farm was proposed in a previous submission as the owners seek changes to the permitted uses for the property.

Rob Coulbeck with the BMI Group says the 300-million dollar project would have up to 150 megawatts of storage.

“It would support the local area’s electricity grid from a reliability standpoint, and also support the Ontario grid as part of the province moving towards renewable energy,” says Coulbeck.

The proponents see the project helping to promote the town as an innovation leader in the energy sector.

The Coulbeck says the facility will have minimal environmental, noise and traffic impacts.

The BMI group heard from nearby residents concerned about those same issues with another proposal for a cryptocurrency mining project.

Coulbeck says they plan to do extensive community outreach.

The developers intend to submit a proposal to the Independent Electricity System Operator through its long-term procurement program later this year.

“If we are successful, we’re looking at beginning our construction for the fall of 2023 with commercial operations scheduled for May 1, 2020.”

Coulbeck adds the project would create between 35 and 40 construction jobs, along with those needed for the ongoing operations and maintenance support.

The project is still dependent upon being selected by the IESO in its procurement process.