FirstLight and Fort Frances sign power purchase agreement for solar project

The Town of Fort Frances and FirstLight have reached a power purchase agreement for the incoming solar project.
In a press release from FirstLight, the clean energy producer and energy storage company announced the execution of a power purchase agreement with Ontario’s Independent Electricity Systems Operator (IESO) for the 57.2 MW Fort Frances Solar Project, a joint operation in partnership with Lac Des Mille Lacs First Nation.
According to the press release, the purchase agreement follows the solar project’s contract award through Ontario’s Long-Term 2 (LT2) procurement process, and represents “a significant step toward delivering new, reliable and affordable clean electricity to the province.”
In general terms, a power purchase agreement is traditionally a contract between an electricity generator and a customer, which is usually a utility provider, government or company. The agreement sets out the terms of a contract over the course of which the purchaser buys generated energy at pre-negotiated prices.
For Fort Frances, the new agreement is “a major milestone” in the proposed solar project, according to FirstLight CEO and president Justin Trudell.
“The signing of this Power Purchase Agreement represents a major milestone for the Fort Frances Solar Project and formalizes its role in bringing new solar generation online in Ontario,” Trudell said in the press release.
“In partnership with Lac Des Mille Lacs First Nation, we’re proud to advance a project that will deliver reliable, cost-effective clean energy to the grid while creating lasting value for the community.”
According to FirstLight, the Fort Frances Solar Project was one of 14 projects awarded contracts by the IESO, which together represent more than 1,300 MW of new clean electricity supply for the province as it works to support forecasted increased electricity demand, while maintaining affordability and advancing carbon reduction goals.
“The Project builds on FirstLight and its predecessors’ more than 100-year legacy in the community through its 13.1MW hydroelectric project, Fort Frances Generating Station, which was built in 1909 and is located on the Rainy River,” FirstLight said.
According to their website, FirstLight’s mission is “to accelerate the decarbonization of the electric grid by supporting the development, operation, and integration of renewable energy and storage to meet the world’s growing clean energy needs and deliver an electric system that is clean, reliable, affordable, and equitable.