Alabama Power Unveils Plans for First Utility-Scale Battery Storage Facility

BIRMINGHAM, Ala., March 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Alabama Power has announced plans to develop the state’s first utility-scale battery energy storage system (BESS) on the site of the former Plant Gorgas in Walker County. This facility, known as the Gorgas Battery Facility, is designed to enhance energy reliability and support the integration of clean energy sources.

The Gorgas Battery Facility will have a capacity of 150 megawatts (MW), sufficient to power approximately 9,000 households. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2025, with an expected completion date in 2027. The new facility will repurpose the 7-acre site of Plant Gorgas, which provided power to Alabama for over a century.

Alabama Power Chairman, President and CEO Jeff Peoples stated, “This facility will help Alabama Power understand how we can best use battery systems on our electric grid so that customers have power when they need it. The project honors Plant Gorgas’ legacy, which has played a significant role in powering the state of Alabama since 1917.”

The facility will utilize lithium iron phosphate batteries that can store energy for up to two hours and recharge in slightly over two hours. Brandon Dillard, senior vice president of Generation, mentioned the strategic importance of these batteries: “Batteries can charge when energy costs are lower and discharge when energy costs are higher, helping keep costs down. They can also supply energy to our system quickly in response to changing conditions.”

This energy storage system represents a marked shift for Alabama Power, enabling the company to explore energy cost management effectively. The ability to charge during low-demand periods and discharge during high-demand periods could significantly stabilize energy prices for customers.

Alabama Power is committed to integrating additional renewable resources into its power generation mix. Dillard noted, “Innovative technologies such as battery storage could help ensure a steady energy supply.”

Furthermore, reusing the retired Plant Gorgas site underscores Alabama Power’s commitment to sustainability and community support. Jill Stork, vice president of Western Division, emphasized, “The reuse of this site reaffirms our support of the communities we have long served, ensuring sustainable solutions that honor our past while looking to the future.”

Alabama Power, a subsidiary of Southern Company, serves approximately 1.5 million customers across the state, providing reliable and affordable electricity. The company’s service territory covers 44,500 square miles, supported by 84,000 miles of power lines.

The investment in the Gorgas Battery Facility not only enhances grid resilience but also aligns with Alabama Power’s broader initiative to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, focusing particularly on nuclear and hydro power.

As the project progresses, Alabama Power’s approach could serve as a model for integrating energy storage within traditional utility frameworks, potentially paving the way for future initiatives in renewable energy adoption.