PORTLAND, Ore. — GridStor has taken a major step forward in expanding battery energy storage capacity in Texas, announcing the execution of a tolling agreement with a Fortune 500 company and the start of construction on its Gunnar Reliability Project in Hidalgo County.
The utility-scale battery facility will deliver 150 MW / 300 MWh of energy storage capacity and is expected to begin operations by the end of 2026. The project is designed to strengthen grid reliability in the Lower Rio Grande Valley, a region experiencing rapidly rising electricity demand.
“At a time of rapidly increasing power demand, battery energy storage helps ensure affordable, reliable power to households and Lower Rio Grande Valley businesses,” said Chris Taylor, CEO of GridStor. “We are proud to increase our commitment to building battery storage facilities that help Texas sustain its historic economic expansion and deliver cost-effective power.”
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The project comes as the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) forecasts a more than 50% increase in peak electricity demand by 2030, driven largely by growth among industrial and large commercial customers. To date, more than 12,000 MW of battery energy storage has already been deployed across the ERCOT system.
During construction, the Gunnar Reliability Project is expected to support more than 100 jobs, including skilled trades and apprenticeships. Once operational, the facility will enhance regional grid resilience and is expected to provide power equivalent to serving approximately 95,000 average Texas households during periods of peak demand.
Upon completion, the Hidalgo County project will become GridStor’s second operating battery energy storage facility in Texas. The company’s Hidden Lakes Reliability Project, a 220 MW battery storage facility in Galveston County, entered operation earlier this year.
GridStor is backed by Goldman Sachs Asset Management and currently manages a development pipeline exceeding 3 GW of battery storage projects that are either under construction or in later-stage development across the western and central United States. The company continues to focus on delivering near-term, cost-effective energy solutions for utilities, data centers, and large industrial customers in regions with fast-growing power needs.
GridStor develops, acquires, and operates utility-scale, standalone battery storage projects aimed at strengthening grid reliability and delivering electricity when and where it is needed most.
Originally reported by Business Wire.
