Item 6 Passedunofficial
In plain language — from the agenda backup
This item authorizes Austin Energy to negotiate and execute a battery storage agreement with Balcones Ridge Resiliency II, LLC, a Jupiter Power subsidiary, for up to 200 megawatts of capacity from a utility-scale battery facility. Battery storage helps the grid soak up power when it's plentiful and dispatch it when demand spikes — a growing priority as Texas summers keep testing the system. The deal runs up to 20 years at an estimated cost not to exceed $16 million per year, for a total not to exceed $320 million, contingent on funding in future budgets.
The official agenda language
Authorize negotiation and execution of a battery storage agreement with Balcones Ridge Resiliency II, LLC, a Jupiter Power subsidiary, for up to 200 megawatts of electrical power capacity from a utility-scale battery facility, in an estimated amount not to exceed $16,000,000 per year, for a term of up to 20 years, for a total agreement amount not to exceed $320,000,000. Funding: Contingent upon available funding in future budgets.
"Without objection, the consent agenda is adopted" — meeting transcript (unofficial)
What got said
- Paul Robbins warned Austin Energy is non-transparent about the $320 million battery storage contract economics