Project Overview
Atura Power, a subsidiary of Ontario Power Generation (OPG), is proposing to develop the Buffalo Ranch Battery Energy Storage System (Buffalo Ranch BESS), an energy storage system, in the City of Dryden, Ont. Buffalo Ranch BESS will be located at 188 Lyle Rd., Dryden. Once constructed, BESS will have the capacity to store and output up to 200 megawatts (MW) of electricity for up to eight hours to Ontario's electricity system.
Responding to Ontario's Growing Electricity Demand
Ontario is entering an accelerated pace of electricity demand growth primarily driven by industrial growth, energy-intensive data centres, an increasing population and electrification. According to the latest annual forecast from the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO), electricity demand in Ontario is anticipated to grow 75 per cent by 2050.
To prepare for future electricity demands and support a reliable grid for Ontarians, the IESO initiated the Long-Term 2 Request for Proposals (LT2 RFP) to secure new electricity resources that could be in service in the 2030s and beyond.
The proposed Buffalo Ranch BESS project will increase electricity storage capacity and help advance Ontario’s path to a low-carbon energy future. Energy storage facilities store surplus electricity in periods of low demand, generally during the evening. This energy can then be released into the provincial electricity system when demand is high, usually during daytime hours.
Project Details
| Project Name: | Buffalo Ranch BESS |
|---|---|
| Proponent: | Portlands Energy Centre L.P. (doing business as Atura Power) |
| Location: | City of Dryden, Ont. |
| Generating Technology: | Battery energy storage |
| Maximum Capacity: | Up to 200 MW for up to eight hours |
Engagement
Atura Power is committed to engaging with Indigenous communities, municipalities, agencies, the public, as well as other interested stakeholders through the LT2 process and beyond.
Learn More
We invite you to attend an upcoming public meeting to learn more about the proposed Buffalo Ranch BESS.
| Buffalo Ranch BESS Public Meeting | |
|---|---|
| Date: | Tuesday, July 15, 2025 |
| Time: | 4 to 7:30 p.m. |
| Location: | Best Western Plus Dryden Hotel & Conference Centre349 Government St., Dryden, Ont. P8N 2P4 |
Please use the Contact Us form to ask questions or share accommodation needs. Meeting materials will be available on this webpage following the meeting.
Understanding the Process
Atura Power is proposing the Buffalo Ranch BESS project through the IESO LT2 procurement process. Proposals for the Capacity stream are due to the IESO in December 2025.
Atura Power will complete an environmental assessment and obtain the necessary permits and approvals prior to construction if awarded an LT2 contract by the IESO. Engagement with Indigenous communities, local community members and other interested parties will continue through the next phase of the project.
Timeline
Below is Atura Power’s preliminary project timeline:
Project Documents
Project documents will be posted here as they become available. Please use the Contact Us form below to let us know if you require an alternate format for any documents.
Buffalo Ranch Solar Project
The property where Buffalo Ranch BESS will be located will also host a proposed solar-generated electricity project. Further information can be found at aturapower.com/buffalosolar.
Contact Us
Comments and information regarding this project are being collected in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. With the exception of personal information, all comments received will become part of the project record.
Atura Power, a subsidiary of Ontario Power Generation, is proposing to construct the Napanee Battery Energy Storage System Phase 2 (Napanee BESS Phase 2), an energy storage project in the Town of Greater Napanee, Ont. The proposed project is located north of Lake Ontario and next to Napanee BESS Phase 1 that is currently under construction. Once constructed, the system will be able to store and output up to 300 megawatts (MW) of electricity for up to eight hours to Ontario's electricity grid. 
