Alabama Power to build state's first utility-scale battery storage system on retired power plant site
Alabama Power has announced plans to develop Alabama's first utility-scale battery energy storage system (BESS) at the former Plant Gorgas site in Walker County. The new Gorgas Battery Facility will store up to 150 MW of electricity, equivalent to powering approximately 9,000 homes.
The 7-acre facility will feature lithium ion phosphate batteries with a 2-hour duration and recharge capability in just over 2 hours. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2025, with completion expected by 2027. The system will connect directly to the electric grid, allowing it to charge during low-cost periods and discharge during high-cost periods.
The facility aims to enhance grid reliability, support clean energy integration, and provide reserve power for Alabamians. The project represents a sustainable repurposing of the historic Plant Gorgas site, which has served the state since 1917.
Alabama Power ha annunciato piani per sviluppare il primo sistema di stoccaggio energetico a batteria (BESS) su scala utility in Alabama, presso il sito dell'ex Plant Gorgas nella contea di Walker. Il nuovo Impianto Batteria Gorgas immagazzinerà fino a 150 MW di elettricità, equivalente a fornire energia a circa 9.000 abitazioni.
Il sito di 7 acri presenterà batterie al fosfato di litio con una durata di 2 ore e la capacità di ricarica in poco più di 2 ore. La costruzione è prevista per iniziare nel 2025, con completamento atteso entro il 2027. Il sistema si collegherà direttamente alla rete elettrica, consentendo di ricaricarsi durante i periodi a basso costo e di scaricarsi durante i periodi a costo elevato.
L'impianto mira a migliorare l'affidabilità della rete, supportare l'integrazione delle energie rinnovabili e fornire energia di riserva per gli abitanti dell'Alabama. Il progetto rappresenta un riutilizzo sostenibile del sito storico dell'ex Plant Gorgas, che ha servito lo stato dal 1917.
Alabama Power ha anunciado planes para desarrollar el primer sistema de almacenamiento de energía a batería (BESS) a gran escala en Alabama, en el antiguo sitio de la Planta Gorgas en el condado de Walker. La nueva Instalación de Baterías Gorgas almacenará hasta 150 MW de electricidad, equivalente a proporcionar energía a aproximadamente 9,000 hogares.
La instalación de 7 acres contará con baterías de fosfato de litio con una duración de 2 horas y capacidad de recarga en poco más de 2 horas. La construcción está programada para comenzar en 2025, con finalización prevista para 2027. El sistema se conectará directamente a la red eléctrica, permitiendo que se cargue durante períodos de bajo costo y se descargue durante períodos de alto costo.
La instalación tiene como objetivo mejorar la fiabilidad de la red, apoyar la integración de energías limpias y proporcionar energía de reserva para los habitantes de Alabama. El proyecto representa una reutilización sostenible del histórico sitio de la Planta Gorgas, que ha servido al estado desde 1917.
앨라배마 파워는 워커 카운티의 이전 곱가스 발전소 부지에 앨라배마 최초의 유틸리티 규모 배터리 에너지 저장 시스템 (BESS)을 개발할 계획을 발표했습니다. 새로운 곱가스 배터리 시설은 약 150 MW의 전기를 저장할 수 있으며, 이는 약 9,000 가구에 전력을 공급하는 것과 같습니다.
7에이커 규모의 시설은 2시간 지속 가능하며 2시간 조금 넘는 시간 안에 재충전할 수 있는 리튬 이온 인산염 배터리를 특징으로 합니다. 건설은 2025년에 시작될 예정이며, 2027년까지 완료될 것으로 예상됩니다. 이 시스템은 전력망에 직접 연결되어 저비용 기간 동안 충전하고 고비용 기간 동안 방전할 수 있습니다.
이 시설은 그리드의 신뢰성을 향상시키고, 청정 에너지 통합을 지원하며, 앨라배마 주민들을 위한 예비 전력을 제공하는 것을 목표로 하고 있습니다. 이 프로젝트는 1917년부터 주를 위해 봉사해 온 역사적인 곱가스 발전소 부지를 지속 가능하게 재활용하는 것을 의미합니다.
Alabama Power a annoncé des plans pour développer le premier système de stockage d'énergie par batterie (BESS) à grande échelle en Alabama, sur le site de l'ancienne centrale Gorgas dans le comté de Walker. La nouvelle Installation de Batteries Gorgas stockera jusqu'à 150 MW d'électricité, ce qui équivaut à alimenter environ 9 000 foyers.
La facility de 7 acres sera équipée de batteries au phosphate de lithium avec une durée de 2 heures et une capacité de recharge en un peu plus de 2 heures. La construction devrait commencer en 2025, avec une achèvement prévu d'ici 2027. Le système sera directement connecté au réseau électrique, permettant de se charger pendant les périodes à faible coût et de se décharger pendant les périodes à coût élevé.
Cette installation vise à améliorer la fiabilité du réseau, à soutenir l'intégration des énergies renouvelables et à fournir une énergie de réserve pour les habitants de l'Alabama. Le projet représente une réutilisation durable du site historique de la centrale Gorgas, qui dessert l'État depuis 1917.
Alabama Power hat Pläne angekündigt, das erste Stromspeichersystem auf Batteriebasis (BESS) in Alabama auf dem ehemaligen Standort der Plant Gorgas im Walker County zu entwickeln. Die neue Gorgas-Batteriefacility wird bis zu 150 MW Strom speichern, was etwa 9.000 Haushalten entspricht.
Die 7 Hektar große Anlage wird Lithium-Ionen-Phosphat-Batterien mit einer Dauer von 2 Stunden und einer Ladefähigkeit von etwas mehr als 2 Stunden aufweisen. Der Bau soll 2025 beginnen, die Fertigstellung wird bis 2027 erwartet. Das System wird direkt mit dem Stromnetz verbunden, sodass es während kostengünstiger Zeiten aufgeladen und während teurer Zeiten entladen werden kann.
Die Anlage zielt darauf ab, die Zuverlässigkeit des Netzes zu verbessern, die Integration erneuerbarer Energien zu unterstützen und Reserveenergie für die Bewohner Alabamas bereitzustellen. Das Projekt stellt eine nachhaltige Wiederverwendung des historischen Standorts der Plant Gorgas dar, die seit 1917 dem Bundesstaat dient.
- First utility-scale battery storage system in Alabama
- 150 MW capacity addition to power grid
- Strategic cost management through charge/discharge timing
- Enables better integration of renewable energy sources
- Efficient use of existing infrastructure (retired plant site)
- Two-year construction timeline before operational benefits
- storage duration of only 2 hours
Insights
Southern Company's subsidiary Alabama Power has announced plans to build Alabama's first utility-scale battery energy storage system (BESS), marking a strategic expansion into grid-scale battery technology. The 150 MW facility, to be constructed on the retired Plant Gorgas site, represents a significant infrastructure investment that strengthens SO's grid reliability capabilities.
This project addresses multiple strategic objectives for Southern Company. First, it improves grid resilience by providing fast-response reserve power for approximately 9,000 homes. Second, it enables power arbitrage opportunities by charging during low-cost periods and discharging during peak demand. Third, it positions SO to better integrate variable renewable resources, particularly solar, into its generation mix.
The repurposing of the former coal plant site demonstrates efficient capital allocation by utilizing existing grid connections and infrastructure, likely reducing total project costs compared to greenfield development. While construction begins this year with completion targeted for 2027, investors should note this represents a long-term strategic investment rather than near-term earnings catalyst.
For Southern Company, this project signals continued progress in its broader energy transition strategy, balancing reliability requirements with technological advancement. The lithium ion phosphate chemistry chosen offers better thermal stability and longer cycle life than alternatives, suggesting a focus on operational longevity rather than just initial cost considerations.
Alabama Power's 150 MW battery storage project represents a measured approach to energy storage adoption that's becoming increasingly common among regulated utilities. The facility's 2-hour duration capacity positions it primarily for grid reliability and reserve functions rather than full renewable integration, which typically requires 4+ hour durations.
The timing is noteworthy as battery costs have declined substantially in recent years, making utility-scale projects increasingly economical for rate-based investments. By building at a retired coal plant site, Alabama Power gains significant advantages: existing interconnection infrastructure, previously disturbed land requiring minimal site preparation, and maintaining an economic presence in a community previously supported by the coal facility.
The strategic value extends beyond the technology itself. As Southern Company's first major battery installation in Alabama, this provides the operational experience and data necessary for potential wider deployment. The specified lithium iron phosphate chemistry sacrifices some energy density for improved safety characteristics and longer cycle life, appropriate for a utility-scale application where footprint constraints are minimal.
For Southern Company investors, this project should be viewed within the context of the company's broader capital allocation strategy. While not transformative to the company's generation portfolio, it demonstrates management's willingness to deploy proven grid technologies that can improve reliability while facilitating greater renewable integration - all without the regulatory complications that might accompany more aggressive clean energy pivots in a traditionally conservative service territory.
150 MW facility to provide reserve power for Alabamians
The new Gorgas Battery Facility will store up to 150 MW of electricity generated by other Alabama Power resources. 150 MW is equivalent to the capacity needed to power about 9,000 homes.
"This facility will help Alabama Power understand how we can best use battery systems on our electric grid so that customers have power when they need it," said Jeff Peoples, Alabama Power Chairman, President and CEO. "The project honors Plant Gorgas' legacy, which has played a significant role in powering the state of
The 7-acre facility will be designed as a standalone system that will connect to and charge directly from the electric grid – the interconnected system of high voltage wires and equipment that moves large amounts of electricity across the state.
Construction will begin in 2025, with estimated completion by 2027. The lithium ion phosphate batteries that will make up the system will have a 2-hour duration, with the ability to recharge in a little over 2 hours.
"Batteries can charge when energy costs are lower and discharge when energy costs are higher, helping keep costs down. They can also supply energy to our system quickly in response to changing conditions," said Brandon Dillard, senior vice president of Generation. "We are excited to learn how battery storage technology best fits into our system to reliably serve our customers."
Batteries also have the potential to help integrate additional clean energy resources into the company's generation mix, providing complementary technology for variable, weather-dependent resources, like solar.
"As we work to make our system stronger and smarter, innovative technologies such as battery storage could help ensure a steady energy supply," Dillard added.
The decision to reuse the retired Plant Gorgas site illustrates Alabama Power's focus on sustainable solutions that reinforce its community commitment.
"Plant Gorgas and
About Alabama Power
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Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements:
Certain information contained in this release is forward-looking information based on current expectations and plans that involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking information includes, among other things, statements concerning the expected completion date for the Gorgas Battery Facility. Alabama Power cautions that there are certain factors that can cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking information that has been provided. The reader is cautioned not to put undue reliance on this forward-looking information, which is not a guarantee of future performance and is subject to a number of uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside the control of Alabama Power; accordingly, there can be no assurance that such suggested results will be realized. The following factors, in addition to those discussed in each of Alabama Power's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, and subsequent securities filings, could cause actual results to differ materially from management expectations as suggested by such forward-looking information: the ability to control costs and avoid cost and schedule overruns during the development, construction and operation of facilities, to construct facilities in accordance with the requirements of permits and licenses, to satisfy any environmental performance standards and the requirements of any tax credits and other incentives, and to integrate facilities into the Southern Company system upon completion of construction and catastrophic events such as fires, earthquakes, explosions, floods, tornadoes, hurricanes and other storms, droughts, pandemic health events, political unrest, wars, or other similar occurrences. Alabama Power expressly disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking information.
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SOURCE Alabama Power
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