PGE announces major clean energy storage project in Portland

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Portland General Electric, the utility serving Portland, Oregon, plans to announce Friday it is putting in 400 MW of power, the second-largest battery storage installation in the United States. The significance of such projects is they diminish the need for power plants that burn fossil fuels that warm the planet. 

Only the Vistra Moss Landing in California, which is currently 400 MW but will soon add an additional 350 MW, is larger out of all the standalone battery projects in the country. 

The Portland project will generate enough electricity for around 260,000 homes, roughly the size of Portland, for four hours at full power. 

“Although we are a small utility, I like to think we punch above our weight,” said Brett Greene, PGE’s senior director, calling it an important step towards reducing carbon emissions 80% by 2030.