Illinois regulators have approved 600 megawatts of new utility-scale battery storage projects expected to come online by 2030.
The projects would add more than four times the amount of utility-scale battery storage currently operating in Illinois. The 600 megawatts of capacity is estimated to be enough to power about half a million homes.
The procurement was conducted under the state’s new Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act, which was signed into law earlier this year. State officials initially sought just over 1,000 megawatts of storage through the auction but ultimately secured 600 megawatts.
Most of the approved capacity will be located in central and southern Illinois. Projects within the MISO power grid account for 520 megawatts, while another 80 megawatts will be developed in northern Illinois within the PJM grid.
Illinois is working toward a goal of at least 3,000 megawatts of energy storage by the end of 2030. Energy advocates say additional procurement rounds will give developers more flexibility and could help the state reach that target.
Future programs will also allow battery storage projects to be paired with new wind and solar developments.
Meanwhile, Illinois is expanding programs that allow homes and businesses equipped with solar panels and batteries to send excess electricity back to the power grid during periods of high demand.
State regulators are expected to review the progress of the battery storage programs later this year as part of a new statewide energy planning process.