Portland General Electric (PGE) has completed three new utility-scale battery energy storage systems, adding 475 megawatts (MW) and over 1.9 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of dispatchable capacity for the Portland metro area. The combined output can power approximately 300,000 homes for four hours during peak demand or supply disruptions, offering greater flexibility and backup capacity for customers.
“These batteries enhance our ability to respond to sudden changes in the grid and keep supply and demand balanced,” said Darrington Outama, PGE’s Senior Director of Energy Supply. He emphasized their role in ensuring stable, reliable power at the lowest possible cost.
Strategically sited at substations in North Portland, Troutdale, and Hillsboro, the four-hour lithium-ion systems help align electricity production with consumption, reducing strain on the grid. They also cut reliance on costly short-term energy purchases and support the integration of renewable sources like wind and solar.
The projects, procured through PGE’s 2021 All-Source RFP, include:
- Seaside: 200 MW, PGE-owned, North Portland, delivered by Eolian under a Build-Transfer Agreement; operational since July 2025.
- Sundial: 200 MW, Troutdale, developed by Eolian and operated by NextEra Energy Resources under a 20-year agreement; operational since December 2024.
- Constable: 75 MW, Hillsboro, built by Mortenson for PGE; operational since December 2024.
These additions, along with the 17 MW Coffee Creek system near Wilsonville completed in 2024, bring PGE’s large-scale battery storage portfolio to 492 MW.
