We are proposing the Prince Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) Project, that will consist of installing battery modules near our operating Prince Wind Farm substation in Saint Ste. Marie, ON.

Building the BESS Project close to our operating Prince Wind Farm substation allows us to utilize the pre-existing facility, which ensures we build as little as possible on the site.

For a renewable project of this nature, there are minimal environmental impacts, but we will need to conduct an environmental assessment to survey the land, so far, we know:

• Emissions: Battery energy storage systems do not produce gasses in the course of normal operation. In the very unlikely event of a facility fire, gases could be released from battery parts burning.
• Waste: At the end of a battery energy storage systems useful life, recycling can recover and reuse 99% of all active battery materials.
• Biodiversity: Our consultants will be performing environmental assessments on the lands that we intend to build on to ensure that species and habitats are not harmed by the batteries. We will be required to have all environmental permits in order to build on the land.

Some noise can be expected during the battery’s operations (85 decibels/10 meters); however, we expect most of the noise to come from the existing substation and not be materially greater than current operations.

The proposed Project is in the feasibility stage and is pending approval and an RFP award from the Independent System Electricity Operator (IESO). If the Project is awarded, construction will start between Q3-2023 and Q2-2024. We expect construction to last ~12 months.

The risk of fire in a battery energy storage system is very low as battery energy storage systems are equipped with battery management systems, which ensure batteries operate at appropriate temperatures. In very rare circumstances, fire can occur at BESS systems if certain precautions are not taken.