Pine Gate Renewables announced that Grissom Solar, a 6.9-MW_DC solar project coupled with 10 MWh of storage, is now online in Enfield, North Carolina, 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.

Blue Ridge Power, Pine Gate’s strategic partner, provided EPC work 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 offtaker can take advantage of while meeting their specific need.

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, Virginia, 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.

News item from Pine Gate Renewables