Arizona-based municipal utility Salt River Project (SRP) signed contracts with Plus Power to bring online two battery storage systems with a total combined output of 340 MW by early summer 2024.

The first project, called Sierra Estrella, will be a 250 MW/1 GWh storage system located in Avondale. The second, Superstition, will be a 90 MW/360 MWh system located in Gilbert. Both would be owned and operated by a subsidiary of Plus Power.

Both systems are expected to use Tesla lithium-ion batteries. Plus Power is currently working with the Gilbert and Avondale Fire Departments on an emergency response plan and to ensure local first responders are engaged throughout the project design, construction, operation, and training phases.  

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The project additions would bring SRP to 800 MW of energy storage contracted or owned by 2024.

SRP is also developing the Sonoran Energy Center, which would be the largest solar and battery storage project in Arizona. SRP has also contracted for another solar and battery project called the Storey Energy Center and will be adding a battery to the Saint Solar project site, both of which will be located near Coolidge. All three projects are expected to be placed into service in 2023.

SRP has a goal of reducing carbon intensity by more than 65% by 2035 and 90% by 2050, from 2005 levels. SRP retired the 2,250 MW coal-fired Navajo plant in 2019 and plans to retire approximately 2,600 MW of coal-fired generation by 2032.