Portland General Electric Activates 475 MW of Battery Storage, Bolstering Oregon's Grid Reliability and Renewable Integration
Key Insights
Portland General Electric (PGE) has activated 475 MW of new battery energy storage systems, adding 1.9 GWh of dispatchable capacity to enhance grid reliability in Oregon.
These three utility-scale lithium-ion facilities will power 300,000 homes for up to four hours during peak demand, reducing reliance on costly short-term electricity purchases.
Developed by Eolian and Mortenson, the strategic installations stabilize energy costs for consumers and significantly improve the integration of renewable energy sources.
With these additions, PGE's total large-scale battery storage capacity now reaches 492 MW, underscoring its commitment to a flexible and sustainable energy portfolio.
Portland General Electric (PGE) has significantly bolstered Oregon’s energy infrastructure by bringing 475 megawatts (MW) of new battery energy storage online, adding over 1.9 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of dispatchable capacity to enhance grid reliability and stabilize costs for its customers. These three utility-scale lithium-ion battery systems are strategically located at key substations in North Portland, Troutdale, and Hillsboro, collectively capable of powering approximately 300,000 homes for up to four hours during periods of peak demand or grid stress.
This substantial deployment is a direct outcome of PGE's 2021 All-Source Request for Proposals (RFP) process, designed to secure diverse and reliable energy resources. The 200 MW Seaside facility in North Portland, developed by Eolian, L.P., commenced commercial operations in July 2025 under a fixed-cost build-to-transfer agreement with PGE. Concurrently, the 200 MW Sundial facility in Troutdale, also developed by Eolian, began operations in December 2024 and will be managed by NextEra Energy Resources under a 20-year storage capacity agreement. The third facility, the 75 MW Constable installation in Hillsboro, is owned by PGE and was constructed through an engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) agreement with Mortenson, achieving commercial operation in December 2024.
“Batteries play an important role in helping PGE build a more flexible, reliable and diverse generation portfolio,” stated Darrington Outama, PGE Senior Director of Energy Supply. “In addition to providing power during peak hours every day, batteries enhance our ability to respond to sudden changes in the grid and help keep energy supply and demand balanced. For customers, that means more stable and reliable power, all at the lowest possible cost.”
The integration of these battery systems is crucial for optimizing the balance between electricity production and consumption, thereby alleviating pressure on the existing grid infrastructure. This reduces PGE's reliance on costly short-term electricity purchases, contributing to more stable energy costs and mitigating price volatility for consumers. Furthermore, these systems are instrumental in facilitating the seamless integration of intermittent renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar, into the grid.
Aaron Zubaty, CEO of Eolian, highlighted the strategic advantage of these projects: “Battery energy storage systems sited at major substations radically improve the use of existing high voltage transmission lines, avoiding expensive or challenging new grid upgrades and providing a low-cost load growth solution through existing infrastructure.”
Including the 17 MW Coffee Creek battery storage system near Wilsonville, completed in 2024, PGE’s total large-scale battery storage capacity now stands at 492 MW. This expansion aligns with PGE’s broader clean energy strategy, which also includes a recent power purchase agreement (PPA) with Avangrid for the 120 MW AC (166 MW DC) Tower solar project in Portland, further diversifying its energy portfolio.