Enel, through its U.S. renewable subsidiary Enel Green Power North America, has started construction of Azure Sky wind + storage, its first large-scale hybrid project globally to integrate wind and battery storage at one site.

Located in Throckmorton County, Texas, the 350-MW wind farm paired with approximately 137 MW of battery storage will be Enel’s third hybrid project in the United States that integrates a renewable energy plant with utility-scale battery storage.

Through a 100-MW virtual power purchase agreement (VPPA), Enel will sell to a 360-GWh portion of the electricity annually-generated by the Azure Sky wind project to the Kellogg Company, which is equal to 50% of the volume of electricity used across Kellogg’s North American manufacturing facilities.

“As our first large-scale project to pair wind and storage, and our largest hybrid plant globally, Azure demonstrates Enel’s continued commitment to leading the energy transition towards a 100% renewable-powered electric grid,” said Salvatore Bernabei, CEO of Enel Green Power and head of Enel’s Global Power Generation business line. “This transition is supported and accelerated by commercial customers, like Kellogg Company, who are placing sustainability at the core of their business.”

Kellogg’s renewable electricity purchase is the equivalent amount of electricity it takes power more than 43,000 homes each year in North America.

“Kellogg has been working to reduce its carbon footprint across our value chain for more than a decade,” said Amy Senter, Kellogg Company Chief Sustainability Officer. “This latest VPPA further demonstrates to investors, stakeholders and our consumers that we are taking swift action to address climate change.”

The 79 wind turbines at the Azure Sky project are expected to generate over 1,300 GWh each year, which will be delivered to the grid and will charge the battery located in the same facility.

The Azure Sky wind + storage project is the latest example of Enel’s commitment to invest in renewables + storage projects, and the copmany is currently constructing a similar plant, the 284-MW Azure Sky solar + storage project, in a neighboring county and a third hybrid project, 181 MW4 Lily solar + storage project also in Texas.

At the Azure Sky construction site, crews are implementing safe working practices and operations have been structured to maintain social distancing as well as other best practices. Furthermore, as part of its $1.3 million commitment in response to the COVID-19 pandemic across the United States and Canada, the company developed initiatives to support community hospitals, schools and emergency responders in Texas.

News item from Enel Green Power North America