Strata Clean Energy has officially launched construction on its highly anticipated Justice Energy Storage facility in Maricopa County, Arizona — a milestone that further positions the state as a key player in the national transition to renewable energy.

The battery energy storage system (BESS), with a capacity of 150 megawatts and 600 megawatt-hours, is designed to deliver four hours of stored energy — enough to power roughly 24,000 homes during peak demand. The facility is scheduled to become operational by April 2026.

More than just another storage installation, the Justice project is poised to serve a critical role in balancing Arizona’s power supply, particularly during intense summer heatwaves when electricity demand spikes. By storing excess renewable energy produced during daylight hours and discharging it in the evening, the facility will help stabilize the grid and reduce dependence on fossil fuel peaker plants.

Tiago Sabino Dias, Chief Commercial Officer at Strata Clean Energy, emphasized the company’s broader mission through this development:
“This project underscores our long-term commitment to enabling a resilient, decarbonised energy future. Justice will help Arizona move closer to its clean energy goals while supporting the economic vitality of the region.”

The Justice project was selected as part of Arizona Public Service’s (APS) All-Source Request for Proposals (RFP), which was launched in June 2023 to secure innovative and cost-effective resources that support grid reliability and customer needs. The result is a 20-year tolling agreement between Strata and APS that will ensure the project's full integration into the state’s energy infrastructure.

Brian Cole, APS Vice President of Resource Management, noted how the addition fits into the utility's long-term planning strategy:
“At APS, we plan years in advance and maintain a balanced and diverse energy portfolio to serve our customers. With the addition of the Justice Energy Storage project, we’ll continue to deliver reliable and affordable energy as we power Arizona’s future growth.”

Strata will both develop and operate the Justice facility, adding it to a growing portfolio of renewable and storage assets across the U.S. The company is already making strides in the region; in January 2024, Strata began construction on the Scatter Wash battery storage complex — a 255MW/1.02GWh facility in Phoenix. Once complete, Scatter Wash will provide additional capacity and reliability for APS customers and support the integration of solar energy into the grid.

Together, these projects underscore Arizona’s commitment to building a more sustainable and resilient energy future while generating local economic activity and advancing long-term environmental goals.

Originally reported by Power Technology.