CENTRE WELLINGTON – Aypa Power can charge ahead with its battery energy storage system (BESS) now that council has approved the proposal.
Centre Wellington council voted on Monday in favour of amending the zoning bylaw to allow the facility to be built on farmland on Guelph Street and 2nd Line, just south of the Fergus South Secondary Plan.
The land is to be restored to agricultural use after the 25-year lease is up.
Aypa has also requested an official plan amendment with Wellington County, which has not yet been approved.
The proposal has already been approved by the Independent Electricity System Operator, which has been tasked by the province to increase energy storage to support residential and industrial growth in the province.
And the township has received a letter from environment minister Stephen Lecce that explains the need to boost the power grid and the minister’s approval of BESS initiatives.
Council didn’t really hear anything new at the May 26 meeting.
Landowner Cindy Lindsay had delegated previously and expressed again on May 26 that allowing this on-farm diversified use would mean her daughter could take over the farm, grow the business over the short term, and have the land for crops or grazing down the road.
Lindsay and her husband did their due diligence, she said, in checking out the company, the technology, the risks to the farm and the environment, and the importance of adding electric capacity to the power grid.
This kind of use “will allow farmers to thoughtfully reach their goals,” she said.
Jason MacDonald, an executive with the Canadian Union of Skilled Workers, also delegated in support of the proposal, stating the project will bring about 200 “high-quality local jobs to the community” and a plan for an apprenticeship program, which is valuable and a necessary part of training tradespeople.
Councillor Jennifer Adams said she worries that the technology is new, noting the safety concerns of current and future residents in proximity to the site are legitimate.
She also argued Aypa is owned by Blackstone, a U.S. equity firm, and that didn’t sit well with her at this time in history, with American tariffs and a potential threat to Canadian sovereignty.
Other councillors wanted to be sure the township was covered in terms of legal and insurance risks, and that Aypa would bear the burden of satisfying complaints and concerns should they come up.
Councillor Lisa MacDonald wanted council to be consulted again at the site plan phase of the proposal, but was reminded the province took that ability away from councils with its most recent changes to the Planning Act.
Managing director of planning and development Brett Salmon said staff could include some details when staff returns with a community benefit agreement, but that agreement is separate from the zoning change application before council.
Mayor Shawn Watters spoke in support of the application.
“The need (for electricity) is great, and this is a green initiative,” he said.
“I think the site plan is well thought out … and overall, it will be good for the community.
“I credit the community and council having a struggle with this. These decisions are not easy.”
In a recorded vote, only Adams voted against the proposal, with councillors Dennis Craddock, Kim Jefferson, Barb Evoy, MacDonald and Watters voting in favour.
As her husband is a planner with the firm contracted by the proponent, councillor Bronwynne Wilton declared a conflict of interest and was not present for the discussion or decision.
The final hurdle for Aypa is approval from the county on the official plan amendment.
