Arizona has been feverishly adding battery energy storage to its grid, and one particularly active developer has already reached commercial operations on ten BESS projects in less than two years.
Invenergy, North America’s largest privately held renewable power generation company, announced the completion of the 50 megawatt (MW) El Sol Energy Storage Center, Invenergy’s tenth finished battery energy storage project in the Grand Canyon State since the start of 2023. Invenergy’s portfolio now accounts for almost half of all storage facilities to come online in Arizona over the last two years.
“Invenergy’s El Sol Energy Storage Center represents the increasing necessity of energy storage for communities across the state,” said Frank Macchiarola, chief policy officer for the American Clean Power Association (ACP). “El Sol is delivering jobs and millions of dollars in community investment while deploying critical infrastructure that will help meet Arizona’s growing electricity demand and further enhance reliability when residents need power most.”
“The start of commercial operations at El Sol is an exciting milestone for Invenergy,” added Jim Shield, senior executive vice president and chief commercial officer at Invenergy. “Our investment in clean energy storage nationwide recognizes the growing need for diverse and safe energy sources and infrastructure that provides Americans with more reliable, affordable electricity year-round.”
All projects have been developed for Arizona Public Service (APS) in Maricopa and Yuma Counties and have added nearly 200 MW to the state’s clean energy capacity to power residents and businesses throughout Arizona.
“Arizona has experienced an extended stretch of triple-digit temperatures this summer and APS customers have used a record-breaking amount of energy as they run their air conditioners to stay cool. Adding renewable projects like the El Sol Energy Storage Center to our already diverse power supply will help APS continue to deliver the reliable, affordable, and increasingly clean energy our customers count on, especially on our hottest summer days,” said Brian Cole, vice president of resource management at APS.
Invenergy’s active Arizona storage projects include Desert Star, Paloma, Cotton Center, Gila Bend I & II, Hyder I & II, Foothills I & II, and El Sol.
Later this year, Invenergy’s Yuma Solar Energy Center (70 MW) is anticipated to begin operations, and the Hashknife Solar Energy Center (275 MW) is expected to start construction.
Two new battery storage projects are coming online in Arizona, bringing a combined 340 MW/1,360 MWh of additional capacity to the grid.
Arizona celebrated the completion of its largest grid-connected and largest standalone battery project earlier this year when Salt River Project (SRP) and Plus Power held a ribbon cutting for its 250 MW Sierra Estrella Energy Storage facility, located in Avondale, Arizona.
