EDP Renewables and SRP 800 MW BESS Project to Power nearly 45,000 Homes in Arizona

EDP Renewables, one of the world's largest producers of renewable energy, is increasing sustainable electrification with the Salt River Project (SRP) following completion of the 800 MW Flatland Energy Storage in Coolidge, Arizona.

This battery energy storage system (BESS) has the capacity to power nearly 44,500 Arizona homes during peak periods, to align with the state’s growing energy goals, according to a release. SRP, a not-for-profit public power utility, currently serves more than two million central Arizonans as it partners with EDP to demonstrate the increasing importance of utility-scale BESS projects.

Flatland Energy Storage supported roughly 142 construction jobs during the project’s initial phases. The companies state that the Pinal County BESS will contribute more than $20 million in local and regional economic impact over its lifetime.

“Energy storage plays a critical role in maintaining a reliable and resilient electric grid, especially as demand continues to grow,” said EDP CEO Sandhya Ganapathy in a statement. “Projects like Flatland Energy Storage ensure power is available when it’s needed most, while also delivering meaningful, long-term benefits to the communities that host them.”

Currently, the Flatland Energy Storage project is the largest BESS within the EDP Group, consisting of roughly 600 MW of gross operating capacity across solar and storage systems. Those projects include Sun Streams Solar (158 MW), Brittlebush Solar (200 MW), and the Table Top Solar & Energy Storage complex (96 MW solar and 96 MW BESS).

SRP Associate General Manager Bobby Olsen states that Flatland Energy Storage is part of his company’s “all-of-the-above approach.” Partnering with EDP will enable SRP to improve its overall energy blueprint to double or triple its power capacity in Arizona over the next decade to align with a net-zero carbon footprint by 2050.

“SRP will continue to invest in battery energy storage resources as part of its growing resource portfolio,” Olsen said.