Blue Ridge Power Agency (BRPA) is partnering with Lightshift Energy, Central Virginia Power Cooperative (CVEC), Craig Botetourt Power Cooperative (CBEC), and Salem Power Authority to deploy a range of battery storage projects in Virginia, with the possibility of more BRPA projects in the future. The first five projects are currently under construction and are expected to be launched in 2026. The initial project portfolio will save approximately $100 million for BRPA utilities throughout the project lifecycle.

BRPA General Manager Alice Wolfe said, "We are pleased to see these facilities go live and save costs for members and customers of CBEC, CVEC, and Salem. ”For some time now, the continuously rising transmission and capacity costs have been a focus of attention, and these new battery projects will begin to control these costs

These five project portfolios have been strategically deployed in three CVEC locations in rural areas of Virginia, one in CBEC and one in Salem. These projects have an installed capacity of approximately 5 megawatts and are connected to the power distribution system, enabling them to bring benefits to the distribution and transmission system as well as the local community.

Mike Herbert, co-founder and managing partner of Lightshift Energy, said, "As Virginia's demand for energy storage continues to increase, power cooperatives and municipal utilities are in a unique position to lead innovative applications that directly benefit their members." "By partnering with BRPA, CVEC, CBEC, and Salem, this coordinated effort demonstrates that distribution connected storage combinations can not only save significant costs for participating utilities, but also provide fast and cost-effective capacity during a time when the PJM market is competing to introduce new resources and maintain low electricity prices.