CarbonFree Fort Frances

Project Overview

Project Description

CarbonFree Fort Frances LP is proposing to develop an approximately 130 MW AC / 170MW DC solar photovoltaic (PV) project named "CarbonFree Fort Frances" (the Project) in district of Miscampbell, approximately 10km northwest of Fort Frances along Highway 611. The Project aims to contribute to the Government of Ontario's goal of accelerating new electricity generation from renewable sources to support the province's growing energy needs.


  • Project Name: CarbonFree Fort Frances
  • Proponent Name: CarbonFree Fort Frances Ltd.
  • Type of Technology: Solar
  • Nameplate Capacity (AC): ~ 130 MW
  • Capacity (DC): ~ 170 MW

IESO Procurement

Ontario’s Independent Electricity System Operator (“IESO”) is conducting a series of large-scale procurements for energy supply. These procurements are being driven by growing demand, an evolving supply mix and a drive toward grid decarbonization and electrification. The most recent procurement is the first round of the Long Term 2 RFP for Energy (“LT2(e-1)”). The schedule for this procurement includes proposal submissions on October 16, 2025, contract awards in April 2026, and Commercial Operation on or before May 1, 2030. Contracts will run for 20 years from the Commercial Operation Date.


More information on the IESO’s LT2 procurement can be found at the IESO's Long-Term 2 RFP web page.

IESO Long-Term 2 RFP Web Page

Agricultural Commitment

Dual-Use Design: Agrivoltaics in Action

This project embraces agrivoltaics—a land-use model that combines solar energy production with active agricultural practices. By integrating farming directly under and around solar panels, our approach to development seeks to improve the productivity of the land both during and following the project’s life. 

Livestock Grazing Program

We will be proposing to apply rotational grazing in partnership with local agricultural producers. This allows native pasture to flourish while maintaining vegetation without the use of chemical herbicides.


Program Highlights:

  • Grazing cycles timed to avoid overgrazing
  • Supports local farming operations
  • Provides a natural form of land maintenance

Pollinator Habitat & Community Honey Production

Within the project border and buffer zones, native wildflower meadows will be planted to support bees and other pollinators vital to the surrounding agricultural ecosystem. Species include goldenrod, black-eyed Susan, and wild bergamot.


We're exploring a community-led shared apiary initiative, to both support the broader agricultural lands as well as to support the growth of local farm products.

Land Use Benefit Statement

We are committed to returning more land to agricultural production than is taken out. The project is planned to return formerly cleared lands, that have grown back, to production.  These lands will be seeded with graze species and maintained for the life of the solar project. Our project design maintains and enhances the agricultural viability of the site during and after project operations. 

HOW SOLAR PV SUPPORTS A GREENER ONTARIO

Solar photovoltaic (PV) technology transforms sunlight into electricity using specially designed panels made of semiconductor materials. These panels generate clean, renewable energy—without emissions, noise, or water use—making them one of the most environmentally friendly power generation technologies available today.
 

At CarbonFree Fort Frances, the solar PV system will silently convert the sun’s energy into power that helps meet Ontario’s growing electricity needs, while supporting the transition to a low-carbon economy.

BENEFITS OF SOLAR PV:

Clean and Renewable: PV systems generate electricity with zero greenhouse gas emissions.
 

Quiet and Low Impact: Solar panels operate silently and have a minimal footprint on surrounding communities.
 

Reversible Land Use: PV installations are designed to be temporary, preserving the land’s long-term value.
 

Energy Security: By adding local generation capacity, projects like CarbonFree Fort Frances help diversify Ontario’s energy mix and enhance resilience.
 

Long-Term Stewardship: With smart design and ongoing vegetation management, solar projects can coexist with natural ecosystems and even improve site conditions over time.
 

This project aspires to reflect CarbonFree’s commitment to thoughtful, forward-looking energy development that respects local values and natural landscapes.

Community and Indigenous Engagement

Public Consultation Process

Community and Indigenous engagement are central to this project. We will host multiple open houses to gather input and answer questions.  Dates for open houses will be posted to this website in the future. Check back for updates 

Upcoming Events

September 24, 2025

First Public Meeting

6:00 PM

Alberton Municipal Office

Event Details

September 24, 2025

First Public Meeting

The Draft Project Description Report titled CarbonFree Fort Frances Project Draft Project Description Report describes the project as a rene...

Event Details

6:00 PM

Alberton Municipal Office

Past Events

August 15-16, 2025

Emo Agricultural Fair

Location: Emo Fairgrounds

August 15-16, 2025

Emo Agricultural Fair

Location: Emo Fairgrounds

July 24, 2025

Couchiching First Nation Engagement

July 24, 2025

Couchiching First Nation Engagement

Regulatory Context

The project will follow Ontario’s rigorous permitting and assessment process, including but not limited to:

  • Environmental impact studies 
  • Archeological and cultural heritage assessments
  • Noise, traffic, and visual impact modeling

Project Resources

CarbonFree Fort Frances Project Description Report (pdf)Download
2025-09-24 Notice of First Public Meeting (pdf)Download

Economic Benefits

The project will generate:

  • substantial employment and local contracting during construction
  • several long-term roles  associated with contract  site maintenance, vegetation management, and system monitoring and inspection management, and monitoring

A Community Benefit Agreement (CBA) will be proposed to support local priorities such as recreation, emergency services, and cultural programming.  

  • Annual contributions to the CBA
  • Annual share distributions to the local First Nation 50% project partner 
  • Direct land lease payments to landowners

We are prioritizing local contractors and service providers for:

  • Civil works - Fencing, earthworks, road construction
  • Vegetation and local road improvements
  • Catering and accommodation during construction

We are committed to Indigenous participation through equity partnerships, training, or procurement opportunities.

About CarbonFree Group

CarbonFree Group (“CarbonFree”) is wholly Canadian-owned and is a recognized leader in the development and financing of solar energy projects in the Americas. Since its founding in 2006, CarbonFree has successfully developed and built nearly 140 projects, totaling nearly 800 megawatts (MW), and ranging from commercial-scale rooftop systems to a 140MWp utility-scale system, in Ontario, the USA, and Chile. CarbonFree has raised over US$2 billion in project capital as part of this effort. CarbonFree currently has a portfolio of over 700 MWp (and over 500 MW hours) of solar and storage projects in development in Ontario, Chile, and the Dominican Republic and currently actively developing solar and battery storage projects in Ontario, Chile, and other jurisdictions in Latin America.


More information about CarbonFree Group, its history, services, leadership team, and project portfolio can be found at the link below.

Learn More About Carbonfree

Contact Us

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CarbonFree Fort Frances

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