The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) has entered into a long-term agreement with Plus Power to develop a large-scale battery energy storage project in Jackson County, a move aimed at strengthening grid reliability and supporting continued economic growth across North Alabama.
The 20-year energy storage agreement will add a 200-megawatt / 800-megawatt-hour battery system through the Crawfish Creek Energy Storage project. TVA selected the project through a competitive request for proposals issued in early 2025 to secure new capacity resources for the Tennessee Valley.
The standalone system will be developed and owned by Plus Power, while TVA will manage charging and dispatching the stored energy based on system needs.
“Battery storage is essential to protecting the reliable, affordable electricity our region depends on to power next generation technologies,” said Monika Beckner, TVA vice president, power supply & fuels. “Projects like Crawfish Creek strengthen the Valley’s energy security, improve our ability to manage extreme conditions, and help unleash American energy—reinforcing reliability, affordability, and America’s energy dominance.”
Construction on the project is expected to begin in 2028, with commercial operations anticipated by summer 2029. Officials said the development is projected to create between 50 and 100 construction jobs in Jackson County, along with four full-time operational positions once complete.
The battery system is designed to store lower-cost energy during periods of low demand and deliver it when demand increases. It will also provide grid-forming capabilities, including fast frequency response, regulation, and operating reserves, to support growth tied to advanced manufacturing, data centers, and other industrial investments.
The Crawfish Creek project is part of TVA’s broader effort to add 6,200 megawatts of new generation capacity to meet rising electricity demand across the Tennessee Valley, including North Alabama. Over the past five years, TVA-supported economic development projects have helped attract more than 91,000 new jobs, retain 235,000 existing jobs, and generate $45.9 billion in projected capital investment in Alabama.
“Plus Power is proud to support energy resilience in Jackson County and the Tennessee Valley, a key region for America’s military, aerospace, and nuclear innovation,” said Brian Duncan, chief commercial officer at Plus Power. “Battery energy storage systems are flexible and millisecond fast, making Crawfish Creek uniquely suited to meet the region’s evolving needs. We are excited to partner with TVA to deliver a resource that supports economic expansion while strengthening American energy dominance and security.”
With the project, Plus Power expands into its seventh state market and its first in the Southeast. The company currently operates nine energy storage facilities across Arizona, Hawaii, Maine, Massachusetts, and Texas, totaling 1,650 megawatts / 4,150 megawatt-hours of capacity.
