DESRI, Clearway move Texas BESS projects forward
Catclaw has a 20-year power purchase agreement (PPA) in place with utility APS, the Arizona Public Service.
In July 2025, DESRI began construction on the 150MW solar and 600MWh BESS Sata Tera Solar and Storage Project in New Mexico. The BESS will be manufactured and supplied by LG Energy Solution (LG ES), one of the first movers in bringing US-based production capacity for lithium iron phosphate (LFP) BESS cells online.
SOLV Energy will act as the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC)contractor for the project, while LG ES’ system integrator subsidiary LG Energy Solution Vertech will supply US-made BESS systems and its AEROS software suite under a long-term service agreement (LTSA).
Clearway brings solar-plus-storage project online in Texas
IPP Clearway Energy Group has brought online the solar-plus-BESS Pine Forest Energy Centre in Hopkins County, Texas.
The Pine Forest project includes 300MW solar PV and 200MW BESS capacity. Clearway says the project represents a US$685 million investment in “reliable, low-cost” energy.
Clearway also claimed that the project’s construction created approximately 480 jobs and was led by renewables contractor Blattner Energy. Blattner is also contracted with Clearway on solar and storage projects in California, for which the IPP closed a US$700 million construction financing in 2024.
Pine Forest is supported by long-term virtual power purchase agreements with Dell Technologies and Universal Corporation. In 2024, Clearway Energy committed to investing in the project once it becomes commercially operational.
Over the next two decades, Pine Forest is projected to produce over US$58 million in property tax revenue, benefiting local schools, emergency services, and infrastructure.
Clearway and Blattner emphasised their involvement with the Pine Forest community, mentioning contributions to local schools and families in need.
The companies supported teacher appreciation events at the Como-Pickton Consolidated Independent School District, contributed appliances and enhancements to the Pine Forest Community Centre, and participated in initiatives to provide holiday gifts for over 130 children. Additionally, Clearway and its partners donated US$3,500 and several hundred pounds of food to the Pine Forest Food Bank.
In April 2025, AIP Management agreed to purchase a 49.99% equity stake in Pine Forest from Clearway. The investor announced that it would acquire this stake with a total investment of about US$200 million.
The BESS part of the project will be utilised to participate in the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) wholesale energy and ancillary services market.
AIP has also shared equity with Clearway in other BESS projects, including the 186MW/744MWh Lorax BESS in Riverside County, California.
Clearway owns 40% of this project, while AIP holds the remaining 60%. This project is also co-located with solar PV facilities, which seem to be operational. According to AIP’s website, the BESS was expected to start commercial operation in 2024; however, there is no recent update on its progress.
The Energy Storage Summit USA will be held from 24-25 March 2026, in Dallas, TX. It features keynote speeches and panel discussions on topics like FEOC challenges, power demand forecasting, and managing the BESS supply chain. ESN Premium subscribers can get an exclusive discount on ticket prices. For complete information, visit the Energy Storage Summit USA website.