The Justice Energy Storage Project in Arizona has broken ground. The project is being undertaken by Strata Clean Energy and is located in Maricopa County, Arizona. The project marks a significant step forward in the state’s transition to clean and reliable energy. Arizona’s need for energy storage has become increasingly essential in given that it that suffers from heavy peak energy demands during summer. Enerrgy storage offers an oportunity to balance solar generated supply and overall demand.
A Major Boost for Grid Reliability
The Justice Energy Storage facility is designed to deliver 150 megawatts (MW) of power capacity with a total storage of 600 megawatt-hours (MWh). Once fully operational, the system will provide four hours of electricity storage—enough to supply power to approximately 24,000 homes. The project is expected to come online by April 2026.
Storing Solar for Peak Demand
The facility will help stabilize Arizona’s grid by storing excess solar and renewable energy generated during daylight hours. This stored energy will then be released during the evening peak, when demand is highest—particularly critical in Arizona’s hot summers, where air conditioning use can strain the grid.
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Supporting Arizona’s Clean Energy Goals
According to Tiago Sabino Dias, Chief Commercial Officer at Strata Clean Energy, “This project underscores our long-term commitment to enabling a resilient, decarbonized energy future. Justice will help Arizona move closer to its clean energy goals while supporting the economic vitality of the region.”
Backed by a Long-Term Agreement
The project was chosen through APS’s All-Source Request for Proposals (RFP) initiated in June 2023. It will operate under a 20-year tolling agreement between Strata and APS. Under this structure:
- Strata will develop, own, and operate the facility.
- APS will have full dispatch rights to the stored energy.
Brian Cole, APS Vice President of Resource Management, noted, “With the addition of the Justice Energy Storage project, we’ll continue to deliver reliable and affordable energy as we power Arizona’s future growth.”
Factsheet: Justice Energy Storage Project
Location: Maricopa County, Arizona Developer/Owner: Strata Clean Energy Utility Partner: Arizona Public Service (APS) Storage Capacity: 600 MWh Power Output: 150 MW Homes Powered: ~24,000 (for 4 hours) Operational Date: Expected by April 2026 Agreement Type: 20-year tolling agreement Primary Function: Store solar energy for peak demand use Energy Source: Renewable (mainly solar)