By: Sylene Argent, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Essex Free Press
An inauguration ceremony for an 80MW/320MWh battery storage facility was held on Monday at the site location in Lakeshore, on the Tilbury boundary.
The facility – aimed to create stability within Ontario’s electricity grid, support renewable energy integration, and deliver reliable power during peak demand – uses 89 Tesla Megapack 2XL battery units capable of storing 400MW of electricity.
The $172M project was developed by Boralex in partnership with Walpole Island First Nation, and with support from the Municipality of Lakeshore.
The Sanjgon Battery Energy Storage Facility gets its name from the Nishnaabemwin language.
Around 150 construction jobs are associated with the project.
It was noted during the ceremony the Sanjgon project began around three-years ago with the development team. The Battery Storage Facility was commissioned on January 6, 2026.
It has an agreement for 20-years to run the facility.
It was noted that true partnerships and true values are what drove the project and got it where it is.
Patrick Decostre, President and CEO of Boralex, thanked Walpole Island and Lakeshore for their partnerships, and those who worked to get the project up and running.
“It’s a very big milestone for us,” he said, as the Sanjgon Facility is Boralex’s first largest battery storage project. “It’s a big deal for us and a big achievement.”
Firstly, Decostre said Boralex wants to be good guests in the area, and good neighbours. That is important to the company. The company is built on two important things: respect and sharing.
This project is an extremely good example of respecting the local territory, municipal and community partners.
The Tilbury area was chosen for the facility as the system needs support due to increasing demand, Decostre explained.
How the facility works, Decostre noted, is every day – when the power price is low – the batteries are charged. It takes four-hours to charge at full-load and the same amount of time to produce. He said it contributes to the grid to have the support of the facility when it needs to produce.
He added that typically, more wind and solar energy can be utilized because of the battery storage.
“This facility is not only a milestone in our territory, but I believe it marks progress. It marks the opportunity for First Nation/Indigenous equity partnerships, and a commitment towards sustainable, reliable energy,” Walpole Island Chief, Leela Thomas, said.
Energy systems are evolving, Thomas added. “We have to make sure we are able to not only store, but also dispatch power when the grids are needed.”
Lakeshore Mayor Tracey Bailey acknowledged the dedication of the municipality on the project, and the partnership that got the project to completion. “It has just been an awesome, amazing journey of collaboration and community, and we have been thrilled to be partners.”
She called the facility an “incredible achievement of collaboration,” and pointed out it was done on time and on budget.
“Projects like this support economic development and attract new investments. While reliable and modern energy infrastructure is critical, obviously to our future, it is the spirit of partnership at the core of this facility that has continued to be a reminder of what is possible when we all work together on common goals,” Bailey added. She said Lakeshore is proud to host the facility.
The ceremony, she commented, was more than just about a single project. “It’s about strengthening our region and working together to build a resilient and sustainable future.”
There was no impact on residents for site selection, Bailey added.As per Boralex’s strategy plan, Decostre said the company will be investing around $1B in Ontario over the coming years.
