Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 22, 2025) - Aegis Critical Energy Defence Corp. (CSE: QESS) (OTCQB: QESSF) (FSE: JG6) ("Aegis" or the "Company") announces that it has entered into a legally binding agreement with Seetel New Energy Co. Ltd. (Taiwan) (7740.TW) through the formation of Cordelia BESS Inc., an Ontario-incorporated project company established for the purpose of participating in Ontario's grid-scale energy storage market.

Cordelia BESS Inc. has submitted a proposal Thursday, December 18, 2025 in response to the Independent Electricity System Operator's ("IESO") Long-Term 2 ("LT2") Request for Proposals - Capacity Stream (C1). The submission contemplates the potential development of a battery energy storage system ("BESS") project with an indicative size of approximately 90 MWh, subject to the outcomes of the IESO's evaluation process and the satisfaction of all applicable commercial, regulatory, and contractual conditions.

The proposed project site is subject to an agreement with the land holders; the site is located adjacent to an existing Festival Hydro substation in Ontario. The project remains at a development and procurement participation stage, and no contract award, revenue, or commercial operation is assured. Any advancement of the project is contingent upon the IESO's procurement process, the execution of definitive agreements, and receipt of all required approvals.

The LT2 Capacity Stream is part of the IESO's long-term electricity planning framework designed to secure additional dispatchable capacity to support system reliability and meet forecasted demand growth associated with electrification, population growth, and industrial development. Battery energy storage systems are among the resource types eligible to participate in the LT2 procurement, given their ability to provide flexible capacity and grid support services.

Publicly available IESO planning materials indicate that Ontario electricity demand is expected to grow significantly over the coming decades, with forecasts projecting material increases in peak demand and total system requirements by mid-century. The LT2 procurement process is intended to competitively evaluate eligible resources capable of contributing to system reliability under these long-term conditions.

AEGIS cautions that participation in the LT2 procurement does not imply selection, preference, or endorsement by the IESO. All proposals are subject to a confidential, competitive evaluation process conducted independently by the IESO in accordance with its published rules and procedures.

About the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO)

The Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) is the Crown corporation responsible for operating and planning the electricity system and wholesale electricity market in the Province of Ontario. Established under the Electricity Act, 1998, the IESO manages Ontario's bulk electricity system and ensures the reliable supply of electricity across the province.

About SEETEL New Energy

SEETEL New Energy Co. Ltd. (7740.TW) is a Taiwan-based manufacturer and systems integrator specializing in high-performance lithium battery modules and energy-storage systems for global industrial and grid applications.

About Aegis Critical Energy Defence Corp.

Aegis Critical Energy Defence Corp. (CSE: QESS) (OTCQB: QESSF) (FSE: JG6) develops and integrates advanced battery energy storage systems for defence, critical infrastructure, industrial, and AI data centre applications. Through strategic partnerships with Indigenous communities and global technology leaders, Aegis delivers rugged, intelligent, and secure energy systems designed for the next generation of mission-critical operations.

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Forward-Looking Statements

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