Where Are the Biggest U.S. BESS Projects Being Built?

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Written by Eric Funderburk for IIR News Intelligence (Sugar Land, Texas)

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Summary

U.S. battery energy storage systems are growing larger, often exceeding hundreds of megawatts in capacity and racking up substantial construction investments.

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A Big Market

The deployment of battery energy storge systems (BESS) across the U.S. has represented a major shift in the U.S. power sector, opening the door to a utility-scale power source that was virtually unknown only a few years ago.

And that door has opened in a big way. The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) in August reported that nearly 52 gigawatts (GW) of battery energy storage was deployed in the U.S. at the end of June 2026, with 8.3 GW of that coming in the first half of 2026 alone. A previous article from Industrial Info Resources noted that $3.8 billion worth of standalone BESS projects were lined up to break ground in September.

In addition to standalone battery facilities, dozens of BESS units are lined up to accompany solar installations, evening out power supply at times when solar power isn't actively being generated. Industrial Info Resources data show more than 1,400 U.S. BESS projects, valued at nearly $642 billion, either underway or on the planning table, although these frequently include solar power and a handful of wind projects accompanying the battery storage. Current construction represents more than $25.5 billion in investments.

The Bigger, the Better?

So where are the largest BESS projects currently being built in the U.S., and what is driving this $25 billion in current construction? One BESS installation rises to the top of the list: Intersect Power's Darden Clean Energy Project in Fresno, California. This massive 1,150-megawatt (MW) battery installation will be able to match the output of the accompanying 1,150-MW solar power plant at maximum discharge for a period of up to four hours with its 4,600-megawatt-hour discharge rating. The BESS unit plans to employ Tesla's lithium-ion-phosphate (LFP) battery technology and is expected to begin operating in 2028. Subscribers can access details of the project, including construction timelines, key contact details, and equipment and service needs on both the solar BESS components of the project, by clicking here.

Battery storage also is a major component of the Steel River Energy Center being built near Osceola, Arkansas, which will feature 720-MW/2,880-MWh of battery capacity at full buildout. Work is underway on the first two phases of construction, which will add 480 MW of battery capacity to accommodate 1,000 MW of solar generation. A third phase of construction to add more solar generation along with an additional 240 MW of battery energy storage capacity is planned to get started at a later date.

Work is just getting started on SB Energy's Libra hybrid energy center in which 700 MW of solar capacity is equally matched a 700-MW/2,800-MWh BESS unit. SB Energy has employed SOLV Energy to construct the project on federal lands managed by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) near Yerington, Nevada. The project has a targeted in-service of 2028.

Oregon a Prime BESS Destination

Planned BESS builds are a more slippery target, but a few substantial projects seem to likely to move forward, including an anticipated 1,400 MW of battery storage at an Oregon project backed by Amazon. Ownership of the Sunstone solar/BESS project in northeastern Oregon was transferred to a subsidiary of Amazon earlier this year, but drawing on Amazon's substantial resources and a hard deadline of November 2027 to get moving on construction, the project seems likely to move forward. The first two phases of construction will add a combined 400 MW of BESS capacity, while a projected third phase would add a massive 800 MW of additional battery energy storage, although work on this final phase remains a few years out.

Another substantial BESS project is on the books for Sherman County, Oregon, in the form of the Buckley solar/BESS facility, which could begin construction next year. The project planned by Boise, Idaho-based Clenera Renewable Energy would include 1,200 MW of solar and matching 1,200 MW of battery capacity with a four-hour discharge time. Substations, transmission tie-ins and all manner of equipment are part of the project, so an anticipated completion date of early 2029 could prove somewhat optimistic, depending on when construction kicks off and the pace at which is performed.

Key Takeaways

• BESS capacities are growing larger, often matching the solar generation capacity it frequently accompanies.
• Oregon is the destination for two substantial BESS projects, each planned to add 1,200 MW or more of battery capacity.

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About Industrial Info Resources
Industrial Info Resources (IIR) is the leading provider of industrial market intelligence. Since 1983, IIR has provided comprehensive research, news and analysis on the industrial process, manufacturing and energy related industries. IIR's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) helps companies identify and pursue trends across multiple markets with access to real, qualified and validated plant and project opportunities. Across the world, Industrial Info Resources is tracking over 250,000 current and future projects worth $30.2 trillion (USD).