The proposed site - Screenshot from Town Council's agenda
The Town of Greater Napanee has voted to support Hydrostor’s proposed Quinte Energy Storage Centre as it moves into the next stage of Ontario’s electricity procurement process, despite concerns about groundwater and farmland impacts.
Council approved a municipal support resolution Tuesday night for the proposed 500-megawatt compressed air energy storage project near County Road 22. The vote allows Hydrostor to submit a bid to the Independent Electricity System Operator’s Long Lead-Time Capacity Services Request for Proposals process.
Town staff stressed the decision does not approve construction or final development.
Planner Michael Nobes told council the project still faces years of environmental studies, hydrogeological investigations, permitting and regulatory approvals before construction could begin.
Debate intensified after the Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority submitted a letter raising concerns about groundwater vulnerability, wetlands and the feasibility of sourcing water from Lake Ontario.
The project would require about 1.4 million cubic metres of water during construction and reservoir filling.
Council also debated the loss of prime agricultural land. Staff said roughly 75 to 80 per cent of the property could remain in agricultural production through future planning controls.
