Recurrent Energy Expands ERCOT Storage Pipeline with Acquisition of 400 MWh of Standalone Storage Projects Under Development

Rhea-AI Summary

Recurrent Energy, a subsidiary of Canadian Solar (NASDAQ: CSIQ), has acquired two energy storage projects from Black Mountain Energy Storage, each capable of storing up to 200 MWh of energy. Located in Texas's ERCOT market, the projects are set to reach notice to proceed in 2023 and commence operations by Q2 2024. This acquisition enhances Recurrent's development pipeline, bringing their total energy storage projects to 2.9 GWh operational or under construction, with an additional 15.5 GWh in early to mid-stage development, aiming to improve grid reliability.

Positive

• Acquisition adds 400 MWh to Recurrent's energy storage capacity.
• Expansion of development pipeline to 2.9 GWh operational and 15.5 GWh in early stages.
• Projects to improve grid reliability in the rapidly growing ERCOT market.

Negative

• None.

Two standalone energy storage projects were acquired from Black Mountain Energy Storage

GUELPH, ON., June 16, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Recurrent Energy, LLC ("Recurrent"), a wholly owned subsidiary of Canadian Solar Inc. ("Canadian Solar") (NASDAQ: CSIQ), today announced the acquisition of two standalone energy storage projects from Black Mountain Energy Storage (BMES). The projects, which are in the South Load Zone of the Texas ERCOT market, are each anticipated to store up to 200 MWh of energy. Both projects are currently in development and are anticipated to reach notice to proceed (NTP) in 2023 and begin operation in the second quarter of 2024.

Recurrent has developed 2.9 GWh of energy storage projects that are in construction or operation and has an additional pipeline of 15.5 GWh of projects under early to mid-stage development. The two standalone energy storage projects added to Recurrent's development pipeline will be operated as merchant projects in the ERCOT market, providing dispatchable and reliable power to the grid. Recurrent will continue to develop the projects, finalize entitlements and designs, select and procure equipment, raise project financing, and construct the facilities.

Dr. Shawn Qu, chairman and CEO of Canadian Solar, said, "ERCOT is one of the fastest growing markets in the world for energy storage, driven by market demand for flexible capacity. We are pleased to accelerate our ERCOT storage pipeline with the acquisition of two projects totaling 400 MWh of storage from Black Mountain Energy Storage. We look forward to bringing our storage development, financing and construction experience to bear as we bring these projects to fruition and increase grid reliability for Texans."

According to Wood Mackenzie's US Energy Storage Monitor report, in 2021 annual deployments of grid-scale storage nearly tripled year-over-year, to over 3.5 gigawatts, with California and Texas as leaders. The South Zone in ERCOT is an attractive area for storage development due to the abundance of coastal wind and solar power. Battery storage enables stored power to be used during times of peak demand, improving reliability.

"It's bittersweet to see these projects leave the nest, but I must say Recurrent picked them well. We ought to see pronounced volatility at these nodes for years to come, and these batteries will not only capture significant value but provide resiliency in a sparse region of ERCOT's transmission network. Identifying challenged areas of the transmission network that produce outsized opportunities for spread capture is BMES' core focus, and we have 3.0 GW of optimally sited ERCOT BESS projects in the hopper behind these two. We're excited to see Recurrent Energy take each of these projects into the next phase of development and appreciate the expertise the folks at LevelTen Energy brought to the table to facilitate an efficient transaction process," said Witt Duncan, Director of Corporate Development, BMES.

The transactions were executed through the LevelTen Asset Marketplace, a platform that connects clean energy project developers and financiers, and provides the software, analytics and M&A transaction expertise they need to execute transactions quickly.

"The LevelTen Asset Marketplace provides a centralized platform for renewable energy project sales, and delivers the tools buyers and sellers need to transact quickly. We are happy that our platform enabled the deal between Recurrent and Black Mountain Energy Storage, both of whom are doing pioneering work to accelerate storage and clean energy development," said Patrick Worrall, vice president of Asset Marketplace, LevelTen Energy.

About Canadian Solar Inc.

Canadian Solar was founded in 2001 in Canada and is one of the world's largest solar technology and renewable energy companies. It is a leading manufacturer of solar photovoltaic modules, provider of solar energy and battery storage solutions, and developer of utility-scale solar power and battery storage projects with a geographically diversified pipeline in various stages of development. Over the past 20 years, Canadian Solar has successfully delivered around 71 GW of premium-quality, solar photovoltaic modules to customers across the world. Likewise, since entering the project development business in 2010, Canadian Solar has developed, built and connected over 6.6 GWp in over 20 countries across the world. Currently, the Company has around 800 MWp of solar projects in operation, 5.3 GWp of projects under construction or in backlog (late-stage), and an additional 18.5 GWp of projects in pipeline (mid- to early- stage). Canadian Solar is one of the most bankable companies in the solar and renewable energy industry, having been publicly listed on the NASDAQ since 2006. For additional information about the Company, follow Canadian Solar on LinkedIn or visit www.canadiansolar.com.

About Recurrent Energy (Canadian Solar Subsidiary)

Recurrent Energy is a leading utility-scale solar and storage project developer, delivering competitive, clean electricity to large energy buyers. Based in the U.S., Recurrent Energy is a wholly owned subsidiary of Canadian Solar Inc. and functions as Canadian Solar's U.S. project development arm. Recurrent Energy has approximately 5 GW of solar and storage projects in development in the U.S. Additional details are available at www.recurrentenergy.com.

About Black Mountain Energy Storage

Black Mountain Energy Storage (BMES) is the nation's fastest growing energy storage development platform. Entrepreneurially spirited and guided by core two principles, velocity and site specificity, BMES is a has developed a +3GW pipeline of optimally sites utility scale storage projects in ERCOT and has ambitions to own and operate a nationwide fleet of battery storage projects. BMES is the youngest of the Black Mountain family of companies and based in Austin, TX. Visit www.bmenergystorage.com to learn more.

About LevelTen Energy

LevelTen Energy is the leading provider of renewable transaction infrastructure, delivering the cloud-based software, centralized supply, automated analytics, and expertise required to accelerate clean energy transactions. The LevelTen Platform is the world's largest online hub for renewable energy buyers, sellers, advisors, asset owners and financiers. The Platform includes the LevelTen Energy Marketplace, which delivers access to more than 4,000 power purchase agreement price offers spanning 21 countries in North America and Europe. It also includes the LevelTen Asset Marketplace, which brings together over 470 renewable energy project developers and owners, and delivers the online tools and expertise they need to buy, sell and finance assets quickly. Together, LevelTen and its partners share #OneGoal to accelerate the energy transition. Visit LevelTenEnergy.com to learn more.

Safe Harbor/Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. These statements are made under the "Safe Harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by such terms as "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "estimates," the negative of these terms, or other comparable terminology. Factors that could cause actual results to differ include general business, regulatory and economic conditions and the state of the solar and battery storage market and industry; geopolitical tensions and conflicts, including impasses, sanctions and export controls; volatility, uncertainty, delays and disruptions related to the COVID-19 pandemic; supply chain disruptions; governmental support for the deployment of solar power; future available supplies of high-purity silicon; demand for end-use products by consumers and inventory levels of such products in the supply chain; changes in demand from significant customers; changes in demand from major markets such as Japan, the U.S., China, Brazil and India; changes in effective tax rates; changes in customer order patterns; changes in product mix; changes in corporate responsibility, especially environmental, social and governance ("ESG") requirements; capacity utilization; level of competition; pricing pressure and declines in or failure to timely adjust average selling prices; delays in new product introduction; delays in utility-scale project approval process; delays in utility-scale project construction; delays in the completion of project sales; continued success in technological innovations and delivery of products with the features that customers demand; shortage in supply of materials or capacity requirements; availability of financing; exchange and inflation rate fluctuations; uncertainties related to the CSI Solar carve-out listing; litigation and other risks as described in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its annual report on Form 20-F filed on April 28, 2022. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot guarantee future results, level of activity, performance, or achievements. Investors should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. All information provided in this press release is as of today's date, unless otherwise stated, and Canadian Solar undertakes no duty to update such information, except as required under applicable law.

Canadian Solar Inc. Investor Relations Contacts
Isabel Zhang
Investor Relations
Canadian Solar Inc.
investor@canadiansolar.com

David Pasquale
Global IR Partners
Tel: +1-914-337-8801
csiq@globalirpartners.com

Recurrent Energy Media Inquiries 
Ally Copple
Innovant Public Relations
713-201-8800 (direct)
Ally@InnovantPR.com 

 

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SOURCE Canadian Solar Inc.

FAQ

What is the acquisition by Recurrent Energy involving CSIQ?

Recurrent Energy has acquired two standalone energy storage projects from Black Mountain Energy Storage, totaling 400 MWh.

What is the expected operational date for the acquired projects under CSIQ?

The acquired projects are expected to begin operations in the second quarter of 2024.

How does this acquisition impact Canadian Solar's storage capacity?

The acquisition increases Recurrent Energy's storage capacity to a total of 2.9 GWh operational and a pipeline of 15.5 GWh.

Where are the acquired energy storage projects located?

The projects are located in the South Load Zone of the Texas ERCOT market.

What is the significance of the ERCOT market for energy storage?

ERCOT is one of the fastest-growing markets for energy storage, driven by the demand for flexible capacity.