Storage

Leeward inks 15-year deal with PG&E for 112.5-MW BESS in Arizona

Leeward inks 15-year deal with PG&E for 112.5-MW BESS in Arizona
December 15, 2022 - Electrical engineering researcher Kurtis Buck opens the doors of the KORE POWER battery units outside the Energy Systems Integration Facility at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). (Photo by Werner Slocum / NREL)

Leeward Renewable Energy has signed a 15-year Long-Term Resource Adequacy Agreement with Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E) for LRE’s 112.5-MW Sierra Pinta Energy Storage project in Yuma County, Arizona. Sierra Pinta, a standalone battery energy storage (BESS) facility, is adjacent to LRE’s 179-MW White Wing Ranch Solar project, which is currently under construction.

Sierra Pinta Energy Storage will have a storage capacity of 450 MWh of clean power that can be dispatched during peak load times to meet demand, advancing grid resiliency goals in both Arizona and California, according to Leeward Renewable Energy.

“We are proud to partner with PG&E on this transformative project, supporting the transition to a cleaner and more reliable grid while bringing significant tax benefits to the community,” said Eran Mahrer, LRE’s chief commercial officer. “Sierra Pinta Energy Storage expands our project footprint and further solidifies our commitment to the region. We look forward to continuing our long-term partnership with Yuma County and the local community as we develop and operate the project.”

Construction of Sierra Pinta Energy Storage is expected to begin in September 2024, and the project is expected to be operational in the first half of 2025.

Leeward Renewable Energy currently owns and operates 32 wind, solar, and energy storage facilities across the United States totaling about 3 gigawatts of generating capacity.

Last year, LRE announced several significant project milestones for its Big Plain Solar, GSG Wind, and White Wing Ranch Solar projects. Verizon Communications signed renewable energy purchase agreements for those projects. Leeward also signed a 15-year power purchase agreement with Southern California Edison for its 126 MW/500 MWh battery storage project in Kern County.

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