Texas Powers Up Giant Battery to Strengthen Grid

South Texas just got a powerful new tool to keep the lights on and energy bills down.

The Citrus Flatts Energy Center in Harlingen started operating this month, bringing 100 megawatts of battery storage to the Texas grid. That's enough to power around 30,000 homes for two hours during peak demand.

Energy company Equinor built the facility through its US battery subsidiary, East Point Energy. The battery works by storing electricity when it's cheap and plentiful, then releasing it when demand spikes and prices rise.

"This project will generate millions in tax revenue to support local priorities," said Andrew Foukal, CEO of East Point Energy. "As energy demand surges across Texas, it will strengthen the electrical grid and help keep energy costs affordable for families and businesses."

The timing couldn't be better. Texas is in the middle of an energy storage boom that's reshaping how the state powers itself.

The US Energy Information Administration expects solar power to beat coal in Texas for the first time in 2026. Battery capacity across the state is projected to jump from 15 gigawatts this year to 37 gigawatts by the end of 2027.

The Ripple Effect

Big batteries like Citrus Flatts do more than just store power. They help balance the grid, making renewable energy more reliable and reducing the need for expensive backup power plants.

When solar panels produce more electricity than homes need during sunny afternoons, batteries soak it up. When families come home and flip on air conditioners in the evening, that stored energy flows back out.

This flexibility means fewer blackouts, lower energy costs, and less pollution from fossil fuel plants that would otherwise kick in during tight supply moments. Local communities also benefit from tax revenue that supports schools, roads, and public services.

Equinor isn't slowing down either. The company has four more battery projects totaling 80 megawatts under construction in Virginia, set to come online in early 2027.

Texas is proving that clean energy storage isn't just good for the planet, it's good business that keeps communities powered and prosperous.