Global renewable energy developer Ørsted has announced the start of commercial operations at its Old 300 Storage project, a 250 MW/500 MWh battery energy storage system in Needville, Texas.
The installation, which was built using Tesla Megapacks manufactured at Tesla’s Lathrop, California Megafactory, joins the 430 MW Old 300 Solar project already active on the site. However, Ørsted said the storage facility will be operated independently from the solar installation and used to provide stability to the grid during times of peak demand.
“Battery energy storage has played a large role in providing much needed power to ERCOT in times of tight supply and demand margins,” said Melissa Peterson, president of Ørsted Americas Onshore, in a statement. “Achieving commercial operations at our Old 300 Storage project will have tangible benefits, such as strengthening grid reliability by providing additional resources to Texas grid operators and allowing for more diverse and localized energy options as electricity demand continues to grow.”
The company says the combined solar and storage installations will generate approximately $110 million in property tax revenue to support local infrastructure, schools and emergency services.
In addition, although it says the Tesla Megapack batteries “have a proven track record for performance and safety, meeting the most stringent global codes and standards,” the company has proactively engaged the local Needville Fire Department in collaboration and training on fire response protocols.
Project development and timeline
The Old 300 Solar project site began development as early as 2018 under Lincoln Clean Energy, which was acquired by Ørsted later that year. Ørsted made its final investment decision and formally launched construction late in 2020.
In 2021 power output from the 430 MW solar facility was reserved by Microsoft under a power purchase agreement. The facility officially reached commercial operation in 2024, becoming one of the largest solar installations to come online in the United States that year.
During its active lifespan, the site has been used to study the effects of hail on large-scale solar installations. California-based solar technical services and analysis firm VDE Americas was tapped by racking provider Array Technologies to assess the site after a severe hail event. The analysis showed that the Array system’s hail stow capabilities provided exceptional protection against damage.
In 2025, Ørsted announced the beginning of construction on the energy storage system at the site. The completion of Old 300 Storage brings Orsted’s operating onshore energy portfolio in the United States to 6 GW.
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