Bobwhite Energy Storage, an affiliate of independent energy company Tenaska, has signed a long-term energy storage agreement with Tennessee Valley Authority for a 225-megawatt/900-megawatt hour storage project in East Tennessee.
The Bobwhite project is expected to start construction in 2027 and come online in late 2029.
The agreement with TVA spans 20 years “and supports TVA’s strategic commitment to strengthen grid reliability, manage peak demand and integrate more resources to help keep power affordable for hardworking American families.
“Battery storage is essential to protecting the reliable, affordable electricity our region depends on to power next-generation technologies,” said Monika Beckner, TVA Vice President, Power Supply & Fuels. “Projects like Bobwhite strengthen the Valley’s energy security, increase our ability to manage extreme conditions and help unleash American energy – building a resilient system that supports families, drives economic growth and reinforces America’s energy dominance.”
With this agreement, TVA has signed 425 megawatts of standalone battery energy storage systems to support capacity needs throughout its seven-state service territory.
Tenaska, based in Omaha, Nebraska, has successfully developed approximately 14,000 megawatts of natural gas-fueled and renewable power projects. The company’s development portfolio includes more than 33,000 megawatts of energy projects, including 7,000 megawatts of battery storage.
Construction and operation of the Bobwhite project is expected to boost the local economy, with a total estimated investment of approximately $300 million.
The project will create up to 75 jobs during peak construction, "prioritizing skilled workers from the surrounding communities and supporting TVA’s commitment to investing in the people who call the Valley home," Tenaska noted.
“In addition to new job opportunities, the project will create meaningful avenues for local businesses to provide goods and services, helping to keep economic benefits rooted in the community and supporting long-term regional growth,” Tenaska said.
APPA Storage Tracker
The American Public Power Association’s Public Power Energy Tracker is a resource for association members that summarizes public power energy storage projects that are currently online. The tracker is available here.
