Pine Gate Renewables’ Grissom Solar + Storage Project is Now Online in Enfield, NC
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Asheville, NC (June 28, 2021) – Grissom Solar, a 6.9MWdc solar plus storage project previously announced by Pine Gate Renewables is now online in Enfield, NC, interconnected to Halifax Electric Membership Corporation’s Medoc Substation. The project is selling power under a long-term contract with North Carolina Electric Membership Corporation.
In addition to the 6.9MW of energy, Grissom provides 10MWh of additional energy storage, and the site generates enough energy to power approximately 1,030 homes annually. That is equivalent to 964,000 gallons of gasoline and 9.4M pounds of coal burned each year.
Blue Ridge Power, Pine Gate’s strategic partner, provided all the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) for Grissom Solar, which began in January and reached its commercial operation date this month.
“Under Chris Dunbar’s leadership at Blue Ridge Power, Grissom Solar is now a reality and providing clean energy and storage to the local community,” said Ben Catt, CEO of Pine Gate Renewables. “There’s no doubt that energy storage will continue to be a crucial need for future grid reliability to ensure customers have power when they need it.”
Grissom’s energy storage system will dispatch power during peak demand hours and provide critical ancillary services to ensure the reliability of the grid. The system will charge exclusively from solar when it is needed most, thus ensuring reliability and continuity of service at the lowest cost possible for customers.
“We are excited to bring our first storage project to the Carolinas,” said Mak Nagle, SVP of development strategy. “Like a Swiss Army knife, energy storage offers a variety of services that our off-taker can take advantage of while meeting their specific need. In addition to Grissom, Pine Gate has more than 2.5GW of storage projects in the pipeline and we look forward offering creative solutions using this technology to other energy buyers.”
Halifax EMC, a local electric cooperative serving 11,780 members in Halifax, Warren, parts of Nash and Martin Counties, as well as parts of Mecklenburg, VA, has supported the Grissom Solar project from onset and worked closely with Pine Gate to provide interconnection. “Halifax EMC is excited to share new efforts to build a brighter future for our local communities – through innovation, sustainability, and a continued focus on reliability and meeting member needs,” said Charles Guerry, EVP of Halifax EMC.
Grissom Solar will be one of Pine Gate’s existing 35 solar projects already in operation or under construction in North Carolina.
About Pine Gate Renewables
Pine Gate Renewables is a leading renewable energy company focused on project development and strategic financing of solar and storage projects throughout the United States. It currently manages 770MW of operational assets, with more than 12GW in active development and has raised over $2 billion in project capital to date. The company’s Pine Gate Impact initiative contributes to multiple non-profit organizations aimed at improving the environment and local communities. Headquartered in Asheville, NC, Pine Gate Renewables was awarded a top spot on Inc. magazine’s Best Workplaces list in 2021, named to Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies list in 2021, awarded the gold medal in the energy category for Inc.’s Best in Business 2020 list and ranked #6 on Inc. 500’s list of “Fastest Growing Energy Companies” in 2018. Pine Gate Renewables works every day to achieve its mission to “Get Solar Done.” For more information, visit pinegaterenewables.com.
