Cypress Battery Energy Storage System

Project Details
Technology

Lithium Ion (LFP) Batteries

Location

Cypress County, Alberta

Capacity

250MW / 1000MWh

Status

In Development

About the Project

The Cypress Battery Energy Storage System (Cypress BESS) is a proposed 250MW / 1000MWh stand-alone lithium-ion battery energy storage system located in Cypress County, Alberta, approximately 30 km southeast of Medicine Hat.

Developed by AltaCore Energy Storage, the Project will connect to the Alberta Interconnected Electric System (AIES) and provide fast-responding capacity and grid services to support electricity reliability across Alberta over its 20+ year operating life. Commercial operation is anticipated by Q4 2030.

It is important to us that Cypress BESS be successfully integrated into Cypress County and the surrounding community. We are seeking to incorporate feedback through stakeholder engagement and this Project website into the ongoing development of the Project.

About Us

AltaCore Energy Storage is an Alberta-focused developer of grid-scale battery energy storage projects. AltaCore develops projects across the full lifecycle — land, permitting, engineering, consultation, interconnection, and financing — and is advancing a portfolio of 2.4GWh of storage projects across Alberta.

Project Description

The Project will consist of lithium-ion battery cells connected in modules and housed within enclosures (approximately 247 enclosures). Each enclosure includes an integrated battery management system and dedicated HVAC for temperature control and ventilation. The battery enclosures feed medium voltage stations (approximately 62 MVS units) connected to an on-site collector substation, which will interconnect to the Alberta electricity grid through the existing transmission line on site. The Project will also include internal access roads, security fencing, and an Operations & Maintenance building.

Regulatory Compliance

The Project will comply with all applicable federal, provincial, and municipal requirements, including Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) facility approval under Rule 007, AESO interconnection to the Alberta Interconnected Electric System, and Cypress County municipal land use and development permitting.The Project will comply with all applicable federal, provincial, and municipal requirements, including Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) facility approval under Rule 007, AESO interconnection to the Alberta Interconnected Electric System, and Cypress County municipal land use and development permitting.

Safety

The Project will incorporate multiple layers of safety, including UL 9540A-tested equipment, integrated fire detection and suppression systems, gas and smoke detection, thermal management via dedicated HVAC, and 24x7 remote monitoring. AltaCore will coordinate with Cypress County to implement an emergency response plan.

Security

The site will be fully fenced with restricted access and monitored 24/7 through a secure remote monitoring system.

Location

Cypress County, Alberta

Cypress County, approximately 30 km southeast of Medicine Hat, Alberta.

Google Map Link

Benefits to the Community

The Cypress BESS Project will deliver a range of economic and non-economic benefits to Cypress County and surrounding community, including grid reliability, lease revenue for landowners, additional municipal tax revenue, and local economic activity.

Employment

Creation of skilled jobs during construction — civil works, mechanical installation, electrical connection, and landscaping. The Project will also engage with the local community for trades, services, and other business opportunities.

Investment & Local Revenue

Property tax revenue for Cypress County and a diversified, long-term income stream for participating landowners. Once operational, the Project will provide a Community Benefit Fund, providing annual payments to local causes and initiatives.

Climate

If fully charged and discharged once per day, the Cypress BESS project will provide 365,000MWh of electricity to the grid during the peak demand hours when it is needed most, with the benefit of no pollution or carbon emissions into the atmosphere.

Community Engagement

AltaCore is committed to open, transparent, and meaningful engagement throughout the life of the Project. The project team will engage with nearby landowners and residents, Cypress County, local emergency services, and other interested stakeholders.

A Public Information / Open House session will be held in Q4 2026. Date still to be confirmed — formal notice will be provided through local news sources and posted here when known.

About BESS

Alberta operates Canada's only competitive wholesale electricity market. The growing population and rising demand for electricity are creating a need for flexible, fast-responding resources that can balance supply and demand in real time.

Battery energy storage meets this need by charging when there is an excess supply of electricity and discharging when there is a shortfall of electricity, helping to reduce electricity prices for all consumers by deferring or eliminating the need for costly grid infrastructure upgrades.

When the grid needs additional power, BESS facilities can respond within milliseconds, making the network more resilient, efficient, and affordable.

Project schedule

Note: Timeline is subject to change.
July 2026 onwards

Stakeholder & Indigenous Engagement

Q1 2027

AUC Facility Application

Q2 2027

AUC Approval

Q3 2029

Construction Commences

Q4 2030

Commercial Operation

Frequently Asked Questions

Contact

Get in touch

Whether you are a community member, First Nation, subject matter expert, industry stakeholder, or independent power producer, we welcome the opportunity to connect.

AltaCore Energy Storage Inc.

#2100 Livingston Place - 222 3 Ave SW
Calgary, AB T2P 0B4

info@altacoreenergy.com

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