CPS Energy partners with Eolian for large-scale battery storage projects in Texas

CPS Energy, a municipally owned energy company in the US, has signed agreements with Eolian to establish two large-scale battery energy storage systems (BESS) in South Bexar County, Texas. The Ferdinand and Padua 2 projects, with capacities of 200 MW and 150 MW respectively, are expected to become operational in the first half of 2026. These facilities will build on the existing partnership between CPS Energy and Eolian, which includes the 50MW Padua 1 project currently under construction.

With the addition of these new installations, CPS Energy’s contracted battery energy storage capacity will increase to 400MW, excluding the 10 MW already operational. This expansion is a part of CPS Energy’s Vision 2027 generation plan, which focuses on diversifying and strengthening the utility’s energy mix to support the growing community.

Since the endorsement of the Vision 2027 plan by the board of trustees in January 2023, CPS Energy has made significant additions to its energy portfolio, including over 1.7 GW of owned natural gas generation, 500MW of natural gas firming capacity, 84 MW of wind capacity, and contracts for 730MW of solar energy alongside 50 MW of storage capacity.

Eolian CEO Aaron Zubaty noted that the new 350 MW of four-hour duration battery energy storage will provide dispatchable capacity to the San Antonio area by mid-2026. This development represents the largest standalone battery energy storage buildout in the ERCOT region to date, demonstrating the potential of fast and flexible energy storage resources to meet growing demand and alleviate system congestion until new transmission infrastructure can be developed.

In addition to expanding its battery storage capabilities, CPS Energy agreed in May 2024 to acquire an additional 2% stake in the South Texas Nuclear Project from Constellation.