Project Spotlight: Sanjgon BESS
- Feb 6
- 2 min read
The Sanjgon Battery Energy Storage project (formerly the Tilbury Battery Storage Project) is a grid-scale battery facility in Lakeshore, Ontario, developed by Boralex in partnership with Walpole Island First Nation. Now commissioned and operating, Sanjgon is a major milestone for Ontario’s grid flexibility—and a strong example of how Indigenous partnerships are helping deliver large, system-critical energy transition infrastructure.
Project Overview
Sanjgon is an 80 MW / 320 MWh battery energy storage system designed to store electricity during lower-demand periods and discharge during peak needs. The project supports grid reliability and helps to integrate more renewable generation onto the grid.
The project reached a major milestone in January 2026 when it entered commercial operations.
Project Details
Location: Lakeshore, Ontario
Technology: Lithium-ion BESS
Capacity: 80 MW / 320 MWh
Status: Operating
Industry Partner: Boralex
Indigenous partner: Walpole Island First Nation
Indigenous Ownership
The project is owned 50/50 by Boralex and Walpole Island First Nation. Through a joint approach with Walpole Island First Nation, the project was renamed from Tilbury to Sanjgon which is a term derived from Nishnaabemwin that reflects traditional storage practices of the Nation’s families.
“The Sanjgon Battery Energy Storage facility marks a significant step toward a cleaner, more reliable energy future.” Leela Thomas, Chief of Walpole Island First Nation.
Funding Details
In January 2025, Boralex and Walpole Island First Nation announced the closing of a $172 million financing package for the project:
A $120 million construction loan, which will convert to a five-year term loan with an amortization period of 20 years following the start of commercial operation, scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2025;
A $45 million bridge loan, allowing the financing of investment tax credits to which the project is eligible.
A $7 million letter of credit facility.
Why This Project Matters
Sanjgon is a strong benchmark for Indigenous partnership in grid infrastructure because it demonstrates that:
Indigenous collaboration can be embedded into major grid assets, not just generation projects, including large-scale battery storage.
Battery storage is now a core reliability tool for Ontario—supporting flexibility, resilience, and renewable integration at scale.
Community-rooted delivery models can coexist with large capital stacks, backed by substantial project financing and long-term stakeholder agreements.
Indigenous Energy Ownership Tracker
Sanjgon BESS is one of the many Indigenous-owned power projects tracked in IEM’s Indigenous Energy Ownership Tracker (IEOT)—built to centralize project ownership details, identify partnership models, and improve transparency across Canada’s energy transition.
🔗 Explore the IEOT:
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