NextEra Energy Resources today highlighted a suite of California-based energy storage projects, aimed at enhancing reliability and supporting the state’s clean energy goals. The portfolio includes plans to develop nearly 700 MW of battery storage by the end of 2022, as well as an additional 2,000 MW pipeline of projects with the potential to be deployed in 2023 and 2024. If all projects were pursued, NextEra could effectively triple the current total installed capacity of battery storage in the U.S.

NextEra Energy Resources President and CEO John Ketchum, said:

“California needs significant investment in battery storage to meet its aggressive clean energy goals. NextEra Energy Resources is answering the call with nearly 700 MW of battery storage projects representing a capital investment of nearly $800 million. We are pleased that last week the California Public Utility Commission (CPUC) approved all 523 MW of the projects that required CPUC approval. Once these projects are operational by the end of 2022, Californians will benefit from more low-cost, emission-free solar energy during more hours of the day, as well as improved reliability across the regional electric grid.”

Californians have experienced frequent power outages this summer, as the state’s increasingly renewables-powered grid has often been unable to deliver energy at needed times. Increased battery storage could go a long way to solving the state’s energy issues. Other companies including LS Power and a partnership between Capital Dynamics and Tenaska have recently announced battery storage projects in the state.

By the end of 2022, NextEra anticipates delivering nearly 700 MW of battery storage projects co-located at six existing NextEra solar projects. The company also announced that it has a current pipeline of nearly 2,000 MW of shovel-ready or near shovel-ready battery energy storage projects in California that could be deployed to help meet the energy storage capacity requirements put forth by the CPUC, with buildout of the pipeline contingent on obtaining long-term power purchase agreements (PPAs) for the projects as well as the necessary regulatory approvals.

Additionally, NextEra stated that stands ready to construct Eagle Mountain, a fully permitted, shovel-ready 1,300 MW pumped storage project located near Desert Center, California. The project could provide up to 18 hours of energy storage and represents a bulk energy storage solution that not only diversifies California storage supply, but provides additional grid flexibility in the event of multi-day events such as summer heat waves and winter storms when cloud cover reduces solar generation. The project needs the appropriate regulatory construct in order to move forward.

Ketchum added:

“For more than 30 years, we’ve been investing in clean energy in California, starting with some of the state’s earliest wind and solar projects. We are proud to do our share to help California lead the country to a carbon free, sustainable future.”