• Dirty Coal Plant

    Trump is forcing this dirty, costly coal plant to stay open

    The administration blocked an electricity plant in Michigan from closing, overturning a plan by a utility and local officials.

    June 1, 2025

    By Evan Halper and Jake Spring

    An emergency order last month from Washington rattled Michigan regulators: The Trump administration reversed the state’s plan to retire an aging power plant, forcing it to remain open and continue burning coal.

    Michigan and the plant’s operator have mounds of evidence that closing the 63-year-old J.H. Campbell plant on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan won’t create a shortage of electricity. But the Trump administration adopted a different view, claiming the Midwest is overly dependent on intermittent wind and solar power. Energy Secretary Chris Wright exercised rarely used federal authority to block the closure, which had been scheduled for May 31. His order requires the plant to continue operating for three more months — and possibly longer.

    The move will collectively increase electric bills for ratepayers in the Midwest by tens of millions of dollars, according to Michigan officials. More broadly, it was seen as an opening salvo in President Donald Trump’s effort to reverse America’s transition to clean energy and restore the nation’s dependence on burning fossil fuels. The administration’s strategy includes using federal power to overturn the plans of local utilities and regulators.

    READ THE REST OF THE ARTICLE AT THE WASHINGTON POST

  • Stock Transmission Lines

    This year's first major heat wave is here. How will the ERCOT power grid hold up?

    By Claire Hao

    May 13, 2025

    The Texas power grid is expected to sail through the first major heat wave of the year without issue, largely thanks to its diverse and growing mix of power plants and renewable energy.

    That’s an observation energy professionals closely following the Texas Legislature made with some irony, as state lawmakers have proposed numerous billsto constrain the very same renewable energy that's expected to help keep the power grid afloat this week.

    "If there is not a crisis (this week), it's in part because of these resources that right now get considered to be not important or not having very much value,” said Aaron Zubaty, CEO of Eolian, a California-based company with battery storage projects in Texas.

    An early Texas heat wave

    Electricity demand increases during hot weather as Texans tend to crank up the air-conditioning when the heat arrives. And this week, extreme heat is expected to arrive unseasonably early: Temperatures are forecast in the mid-to-high 90s for the Houston area, while San Antonio and Austin could eclipse 100 degrees. 

    READ MORE AT THE HOUSTON CHRONICLE

  • BESS

    Amid tariff uncertainty, US grid battery industry faces an uphill climb

    Domestic battery manufacturing and deployments have been growing fast — but Trump’s tariff wars and looming budget cuts threaten to derail progress.

    By Jeff St. John

    13 May 2025

    Companies making and deploying lithium-ion batteries in the U.S. recently gathered in Washington, D.C., to ask the federal government for the policy support they say they need. Their request came alongside a big promise: to cumulatively spend $100 billion by 2030 to build a self-sufficient, all-American grid battery industry.

    “Within five years, and with $100 billion in investment, we can satisfy 100% of U.S. demand for battery storage,” said Jason Grumet, CEO of the American Clean Power Association, a trade group.

    “This is unquestionably an ambitious commitment, but it is absolutely achievable if the private and public sectors work together,” he said. The $100 billion promise represents a major increase in the $10 billion to $15 billion that the American Clean Power Association estimates was invested in U.S. grid battery manufacturing and deployment last year.

    As recently as a few months ago, industry analysts largely agreed that a domestic ramp-up on the scale of what Grumet proposes was at least possible, if not inevitable. Lucrative federal tax credits for companies that build and deploy clean energy technology within the nation’s borders have helped close the price gap between U.S.-made batteries and those made in China, the world’s main supplier of lithium-ion battery modules, cells, and materials.

    READ MORE AT CANARY MEDIA

  • Stock Photo

    Anti-renewables bill adds more risk for Texas grid, ERCOT boss says

    GOP-led measure that passed the Senate this week could put needed solar and wind power at risk.

    By Sara DiNatale
    May 9, 2025

    Republican-led legislation that barreled through the state Senate has the solar and wind industries tied in knots — and the Texas grid boss can see why. 

    During a discussion with reporters this week, Electric Reliability Council of Texas CEO Pablo Vegas said bills that call for costly back-up power requirements on renewables could push them out of the market and slow new development.

    “It could cause certain resources not to be able to operate,” Vegas said. “That’s a risk.” 
    Senate Bill 715, which was approved Thursday by the Senate, could put a massive strain on wind and solar farms at a time the grid is facing an unprecedented demand spike, largely from data centers and AI computing firms flocking to Texas. 

    The legislation is the latest layer resulting from fundamental discrepancies between GOP lawmakers and energy experts over the role of renewables in Texas. Under the proposed law, solar and wind farms would have to pay gas-fired power plants or battery systems to “firm” up their power supply when the sun isn’t shining or the wind isn’t blowing. 

    READ THE REST OF THE STORY AT SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

  • Storage Surge: Key to Expand Both Transmission and Generation

    Storage Surge: Key to Expand Both Transmission and Generation

    Aaron Zubaty recently spoke at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington DC during Real Clear's Energy Future Forum, and explained that building battery storage at grid-critical locations in the U.S. can unlock 30-50 GW of untapped spare transmission capacity, making more effective use of the infrastructure we already have built and paid for, and boosting efficiency of power plant operations without waiting for new generation. The first step of exercising energy dominance should be better use of what we have already built, and not letting outdated regulatory models stand in the way any longer.

    Watch more here: https://www.youtube.com/live/79muWat5G8w?t=24324s

Eolian in the News

Send all media inquiries to: media@eolianenergy.com

IN THE NEWS Stephanie Seiferth IN THE NEWS Stephanie Seiferth

CPS Energy Completes FlexPOWER Bundle Initiative with Solar, Firming and Storage Additions

February 9, 2023 (SAN ANTONIO) – CPS Energy, the largest municipally owned electric and natural gas utility in the United States, has reached agreements with three companies, closing out the utility’s FlexPOWER Bundle initiative stemming from the RFP that was launched in 2020. In total, the FlexPOWER Bundle will deliver 580 megawatts (MW) of solar, 50 MW of storage, and 500 MW of natural gas firming capacity. The utility will issue a new and separate RFP in the first quarter of 2023 to procure up to an additional 320 MW of solar, to include community solar proposals, to add to its generation portfolio.

Read More
IN THE NEWS Stephanie Seiferth IN THE NEWS Stephanie Seiferth

D. E. Shaw Renewable Investments (DESRI) Announces Signing of 200 MWac Arkansas Clean Power Project with Meta

NEW YORK, Nov. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- D. E. Shaw Renewable Investments (DESRI), a leading renewable energy producer in the U.S., today announced the signing of a long-term renewable energy off-take agreement with Meta. The Long Lake Project (Long Lake) will be a 200 megawatt (MWac) facility in Phillips County, Arkansas. DESRI has executed a power purchase agreement (PPA) with Meta to provide energy and capacity for its growing energy needs in the region.

Read More
IN THE NEWS Stephanie Seiferth IN THE NEWS Stephanie Seiferth

NextEra Energy Resources and Portland General Electric celebrate first-in-the-nation combined clean energy facilities

LEXINGTON, Ore., Sept. 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, state and local leaders joined NextEra Energy Resources, LLC, and Portland General Electric (PGE) to celebrate the commissioning of the first utility-scale energy facilities in North America to co-locate wind, solar and battery storage, generating renewable power for customers.

Read More
IN THE NEWS Stephanie Seiferth IN THE NEWS Stephanie Seiferth

Enel Green Power North America Acquires 3.2 GW Solar Development Portfolio To Accelerate Growth In The U.S.

BOSTON, July 13, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Enel Green Power North America has acquired a 3.2 GW1 portfolio of solar and solar-plus-storage projects from Dakota Renewable Energy, a joint venture between Dakota Power Partners and Eolian. The 24 development-stage projects, including 450 MW of storage capacity, are located in the Mid-Atlantic, Midwest and Western United States and are planned for commercial operation beginning in 2023.

Read More
IN THE NEWS Stephanie Seiferth IN THE NEWS Stephanie Seiferth

Sol Systems Acquires 91 MW Indiana Solar Project from Orion Renewable Power Resources

Washington, D.C., June 21, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, Washington, D.C.-based Sol Systems, LLC (“Sol Systems”), announced the acquisition of a 91 megawatt (MWdc) solar development project in Spencer County, Indiana from Orion Renewable Power Resources, LLC (“Orion”), a joint venture between Orion Renewable Energy Group LLC and Eolian, L.P. (“Eolian”). The project, known as Grandview, is part of Sol Systems’ Impact + Infrastructure growth strategy.

“This acquisition builds on Sol Systems’ significant footprint in the Midwest,” said Yuri Horwitz, CEO of Sol Systems. “We are eager to kick-off the construction phase of this project which will bring new clean energy and opportunities to the local community and region.”

Read More
IN THE NEWS Stephanie Seiferth IN THE NEWS Stephanie Seiferth

Golden Hills Wind Farm in Oregon Achieves Commercial Operation

May 02, 2022 01:25 PM Eastern Daylight Time

ORANGE, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Avangrid Renewables, LLC, a subsidiary of AVANGRID, Inc. (NYSE: AGR), today announced that it has achieved commercial operation at its 200 Megawatt (MW) Golden Hills wind farm in Sherman County, Oregon. The facility, which provides enough clean, renewable electricity to Puget Sound Energy (PSE) to power over 60,000 homes annually, began operations on April 29, 2022.

The project will help PSE meet its goals to reduce carbon dioxide emissions while providing additional capacity to serve customers, particularly during winter periods of high electricity demand. The project is Avangrid Renewables’ 7th wind project in Sherman County, 11th in Oregon, and 14th in the Pacific Northwest.

“Delivering on this project represents an important milestone for Avangrid Renewables as we continue to build on our robust portfolio of project in the Pacific Northwest region and advance our position as a leading renewable energy developer in the U.S.,” said Jose Antonio Miranda, Avangrid Renewables’ president and CEO, Onshore. “We are pleased to work with Puget Sound Energy to help it meet its ambitious goals to reduce emissions and provide clean, reliable power to its customers.

Read More
PRESS RELEASE Stephanie Seiferth PRESS RELEASE Stephanie Seiferth

Eolian Announces Closing Of $925 Million Renewable Energy Financing

NEW YORK, April 21, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Eolian, L.P. ("Eolian"), a portfolio company of Global Infrastructure Partners ("GIP"), together with Banco Santander, Natixis, MUFG and Mizuho, today announced the closing of a $925 million renewable energy financing. This novel structured transaction will further advance multiple strategies already underway as the Eolian team rapidly accelerates the deployment of cost-effective decarbonizing technologies across the US.

Read More
IN THE NEWS Stephanie Seiferth IN THE NEWS Stephanie Seiferth

Natixis Corporate & Investment Banking Executes $100 Million Letter of Credit Facility for Eolian

Natixis Corporate & Investment Banking, acting as Sole Lead Arranger and Letter of Credit Issuer, has announced the closing of a USD $100 million Letter of Credit Facility on November 11, 2021, to support Eolian, L.P. Eolian was formed in December 2020 through a consolidation of energy assets that had been assembled starting in 2005 by the founding management team and today includes an expansive nationwide development portfolio as well as revenue interests in more than 20,000 MW of operating energy storage, solar and wind projects across the United States. Eolian is owned by its employees and funds managed by Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), a global, independent infrastructure investor. Eolian expands on GIP's global renewables investment strategy, which has a proven track record of value creation. GIP's current portfolio includes approximately $9 billion of equity investments and commitments in the sector, equity ownership interests in over 14 GW of operating renewable and battery storage assets, and 99 GW under construction or in development.

Read More
IN THE NEWS Stephanie Seiferth IN THE NEWS Stephanie Seiferth

D. E. Shaw Renewable Investments (DESRI) Announces Signing of 350MWac of Clean Power Projects with Entergy Louisiana

NEW YORK, Nov. 18, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- D. E. Shaw Renewable Investments (DESRI), a leading renewable energy producer in the U.S., today announced the signing of three renewable energy off-take agreements with Entergy Louisiana (ELL). The solar facilities will be built under power purchase agreements (PPAs) or build transfer agreements (BTAs) with ELL to support its growing renewable energy portfolio in the region and help power local customers' electricity needs:

The Vacherie Solar Energy Center (Vacherie) will be a 150 MWac facility in St. James Parish, Louisiana;

The SJ Louisiana Solar Project (SJ Solar) will be a 150 MWac facility in St. James Parish, adjacent to Vacherie;

The Sunlight Road Solar Project (Sunlight Road) will be a 50 MWac solar facility in Washington Parish.

Read More
IN THE NEWS Stephanie Seiferth IN THE NEWS Stephanie Seiferth

Innergex Announces the Tax Equity Funding of Amazon Solar Farm Ohio - Hillcrest in Ohio, USA

LONGUEUIL, QC, Nov. 17, 2021 /CNW Telbec/ - Innergex Renewable Energy Inc. (TSX: INE) ("Innergex" or the "Corporation") announces the tax equity funding of the 200 MW Amazon Solar Farm Ohio – Hillcrest ("Hillcrest"), located in Brown County, Ohio, concluded today. Hillcrest is currently the largest solar facility in operation in Ohio, and since the commencement of commercial operation on May 11, 2021, 100% of its generated electric output and environmental attributes has been sold under a long-term corporate power purchase agreement to an investment grade rated US corporation.

"This is Innergex's second largest solar farm commissioned to date, which adds 200 MW to our solar portfolio," said Michel Letellier, President and Chief Executive Officer of Innergex. "While the commissioning of Hillcrest contributes to Innergex's energy diversification efforts, Ohio represents an exciting new market for us, one that provides the opportunity for us to build clean utility-scale solar that will benefit Ohioans for decades. "

Read More
IN THE NEWS Stephanie Seiferth IN THE NEWS Stephanie Seiferth

Intermountain Healthcare Going Solar with Major Renewable Energy Project in Emery County

Intermountain Healthcare is taking a major step in sustainability by joining a utility-scale solar project near Huntington, Utah, that will supply 20 percent of the health system’s total electricity needs.

The new power purchase agreement from the Castle Solar Project, owned and being developed by D. E. Shaw Renewable Investments (DESRI), will supply Intermountain facilities with clean renewable energy for the next 20 years.

Read More
IN THE NEWS Stephanie Seiferth IN THE NEWS Stephanie Seiferth

Total adds 2.2 GW to its U.S. solar portfolio and covers all its power consumption in the country with green electricity

Paris, February 5, 2021 – Total strengthens its presence in the U.S. market by acquiring a development pipeline of 2.2 GW of solar projects, and 600 MW of battery storage assets, all located in Texas. The projects are bought from SunChase Power, a renewable energy company focused on developing utility-scale energy projects, and MAP RE/ES, a private energy investment firm.

Read More
PRESS RELEASE Stephanie Seiferth PRESS RELEASE Stephanie Seiferth

Global Infrastructure Partners Announces Acquisition Of MAP® Energy's Renewable Energy Business

NEW YORK, Dec. 29, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), a leading global, independent infrastructure investor, today announced the acquisition of MAP® RE/ES, the renewable energy business of MAP® Energy (MAP®). GIP's fourth flagship fund, GIP IV, will acquire 100% of the MAP® RE/ES investment platform, team, and renewable energy assets under management from MAP®, a private fund manager and energy investor. The assets include a portfolio of producing royalty interests across more than 16,000 MW of operating wind and solar projects in the United States, as well as a nationwide development pipeline managed through joint ventures with leading national and regional development partners. The MAP® RE/ES business will continue to be led by its existing investment team.

Read More
IN THE NEWS Stephanie Seiferth IN THE NEWS Stephanie Seiferth

Cordelio Power Acquires 150 MW Solar Development Project in Missouri

TORONTO, Dec. 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ - Cordelio Power (“Cordelio”) is pleased to announce the acquisition of a 150 MW solar project (“Winfield”) under development in Lincoln County, Missouri.

Cordelio acquired the Winfield project from a joint venture between Dakota Power Partners, LLC (“Dakota”) and MAP Energy (“MAP”), the original developers of the project. Dakota will initially provide transition development services for the project, with Cordelio ultimately managing the project’s development as part of its growth efforts in the Midwest.

Read More
IN THE NEWS Stephanie Seiferth IN THE NEWS Stephanie Seiferth

Rocky Mountain Power contracts to deliver renewable energy for six large customers

SALT LAKE CITY— The Utah Public Service Commission provided final approval of an application by Rocky Mountain Power, on behalf of six large organizations in the state, to purchase electricity and renewable energy attributes from a large new solar project in Tooele County that is owned and being developed by D. E. Shaw Renewable Investments (DESRI). The application makes use of the Schedule 34 Renewable Energy Tariff, allowing large customers of Rocky Mountain Power to work through the utility to source renewable energy to meet the organizations’ clean energy goals.

The six customers include three local governments (Salt Lake City, Park City, and Summit County), one higher-education institution (Utah Valley University), and two ski resorts (Deer Valley Resort and Park City Mountain).

Read More