During this weeks meeting, Council heard from the senior director of business development for Hydrostor Shaheer Aziz, about a potential advanced compressed air energy storage facility near Galt’s Corner in Greater Napanee. Aziz explained that Ontario is transitioning its electricity sector and seeking new energy storage solutions, including their proposed 500-megawatt Quinte ESC project. This facility would use water and compressed air to store energy, a technology dating back to the 1960s and currently used in the U.S. and Australia.
Aziz reassured that preliminary geological studies would not disrupt the local water table. The project would need 80 to 100 acres and could generate 40 long-term jobs, aiming to be operational by 2033-34. Council was not required to make a decision yet as more feasibility tests are needed. Councillor Mike Schenk emphasized the importance of holding the company accountable for any potential impact on homeowners’ water supply.
Written by Emily Chatwood