Recurrent Energy, a subsidiary of Canadian Solar, has officially commenced commercial operations of its 300MW/1200MWh Papago battery energy storage system (BESS) located in Maricopa County, Arizona. Spanning a 60-acre site, Papago is the first of three energy storage projects to come online under a long-term agreement with Arizona Public Service (APS), the state’s largest public utility. A 20-year tolling agreement governs the partnership.
Once all three projects are completed, the combined battery storage capacity will reach 1,800MWh, along with 150MWac of solar generation. These installations are expected to support grid reliability by storing and supplying electricity for the equivalent of 72,000 homes for four hours and delivering solar power to approximately 24,000 households annually.
The project’s engineering, procurement, and construction were managed by e-STORAGE, Canadian Solar’s majority-owned subsidiary, which will also provide ongoing maintenance through a long-term service contract.
Ismael Guerrero, CEO of Recurrent Energy, emphasized the strategic importance of the project, highlighting its role in reinforcing Arizona’s energy grid and meeting rising power demands. He acknowledged APS’s partnership and reiterated the company’s dedication to long-term value creation.
Echoing the sentiment, APS’s Director of Resource Acquisition, Derek Seaman, noted that the Papago project enhances the utility’s balanced energy mix and helps deliver reliable and cost-effective electricity to customers, especially during the peak summer months.
