Orsted has forged a strategic partnership with US developer Mission Clean Energy to advance four standalone battery energy storage systems totalling 1GW across the American Midwest.
The partnership complements Orsted’s existing development efforts while broadening and diversifying the portfolio of technologies it can offer to utilities and other customers, said the company.
“We look forward to working with Mission Clean Energy under this unique partnership to accelerate the expansion of storage projects across the Midwest and broaden our portfolio of renewable energy technologies and services for customers,” said the Danish developer’s chief commercial officer James Giamarino.
“Continuing to invest in and build out storage solutions is critical for ensuring a resilient and reliable grid, and this partnership with Mission advances this important goal.”
The Danish outfit said it will utilise its capital to secure and maintain interconnection queue positions for the four storage projects owned by Mission, while the latter will continue to lead development of the projects. The partners submitted interconnection applications for the schemes, totalling 1GW, in the Mid-Continent Independent System Operator (MISO) Central and North.
Orsted will have the option to acquire an ownership stake in the projects as they mature.
“The partnership with Orsted marks a significant milestone for Mission Clean Energy,” said Mission Clean Energy chief executive Max Bakker.
“Orsted is an ideal partner to complement our development capabilities with their balance sheet strength and sponsorship support. Our combined expertise and resources will accelerate these projects and deliver impactful clean energy solutions in the MISO region.”
Orsted said the agreement creates access to valuable assets which add to its development pipeline, bolstering the developer’s strategic focus on increasing storage along with wind and solar and providing integrated solutions for customers.
In addition to developing in the Midwest, Orsted said it will continue to seek opportunities to expand storage capacity across the US.
The initiative is the Danish developer’s first standalone battery storage partnership both in the US and globally, building on its existing portfolio of co-located solar and storage projects.
This includes the 40MW storage project at Permian Solar Center in West Texas and the 300MW/1200 MWh storage project at Eleven Mile Solar Center in Arizona (pictured).