Municipality of Saugeen Shores Letter Re: NEOEN Battery Storage, September 2026

September 11th, 2026

To: Luke Charbonneau, Mayor

Cc: Diane Huber, Deputy Mayor

CC: Mike Myatt, Vice Deputy Mayor

CC: Dave Myette, Saugeen Councillor

600 Tomlinson Drive

PO Box 820

Port Elgin, Ontario

N0H 2C0

Re: NEOEN Battery Storage Project in Saugeen

The National Farmers Union-Ontario (NFU-O) is an accredited farm organization representing sustainable farmers in Ontario and has advocated for farmers across Ontario since 1969. Members work together to achieve agricultural policies that ensure dignity and income security for farmers, while protecting and enhancing rural environments for current and future generations.

Members of the NFU-O have raised concern over the recent NEOEN battery storage project, proposed to take place in the Township of Saugeen. We understand that this project is a 400-MW / 1,600-MWh battery energy storage system designed to support Ontario’s electrical grid under a 20-year contract with the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO), and NEOEN will require about 20 acres of land. We also understand that NEOEN’s zoning amendment request in Arran-Elderslie was denied due to floodplain concerns, misalignment with the Provincial Planning Statement (PPS), and public pressure.

Recently, NEOEN has selected Site C1 as its proposed development site for Neoen Battery, moving away from their consideration of site C2, a prime agricultural plot. We are pleased to see NEOEN responding to stakeholder input, and to see prime agricultural land protected from development. However, site C1 is still agriculturally zoned land. 

While we recognize the need for new electrical infrastructure projects to support the transition away from fossil fuels, NFU-O is opposed to any development on agricultural land, as it is a critical non-renewable resource that we have a collective responsibility to protect for future generations. We strongly encourage the Municipality of Saugeen Shores to reject site C1 zone changes to protect all agricultural lands, and require NEOEN to assess brownfield sites, abandoned properties, and vacant lands before assessing agricultural land for their project site, should they develop in your municipality. This would protect agricultural land, and protect against agricultural fragmentation, which can negatively impact agricultural economies, operations, and reduce regional food production and ecosystem connectivity over time. 

Sincerely, 

Josh Suppan

NFU-O President

president@nfuontario.ca

(705) 738-3993 – #2