US utility PGE buys 75-MW battery storage scheme in Oregon

June 5 (Renewables Now) - US utility Portland General Electric (NYSE:POR), or PGE, has acquired a 75-MW battery energy storage project in Oregon and is getting ready to enter construction soon.

The Portland-based company said last week that it expects the facility to enter commercial operations in 2024.

To be installed in Hillsboro, the Evergreen battery will be owned by PGE and Minnesota-based construction engineering company Mortenson. According to PGE, the system will provide essential non-emitting dispatchable capacity and thus contribute significantly to Oregon’s clean energy transition.

The acquisition, the value of which was not disclosed, comes on the heels of PGE’s procurement of 400 MW of battery projects in April. A month later, the utility filed a draft request for proposals (RfP) with the Oregon Public Utility Commission, seeking to integrate more clean energy resources into its portfolio. Under the plan, it will target bids for additional non-emitting dispatchable capacity resources, such as batteries, and renewable power generation.

PGE aims to achieve at least an 80% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from power served to customers by 2030 and 100% by 2040.