Clearway Energy has brought online on the 320-MW Honeycomb Energy Center, which is comprised of four 80-MW battery energy storage systems delivering 1,280 MWh of power reserves to the region.
The ribbon cutting ceremony for the Honeycomb Energy Center in Iron and Beaver Counties, Utah. Credit: Clearway Energy
The facilities are contracted under 20-year agreements with utility PacifiCorp, and each storage system is constructed adjacent to solar projects owned and operated by Clearway.
“The Honeycomb Energy Center represents a major investment in Utah’s energy future—supporting local jobs, strengthening grid reliability and advancing energy innovation,” said Sen. John Curtis (R). “By pairing large-scale battery storage with nearby solar resources, we’re helping ensure dependable, affordable power for communities across the region. This project also highlights the critical role of energy storage in enabling renewable energy at scale, delivering reliable power when it’s needed most while supporting a more flexible and resilient grid.”
Battery energy storage systems store excess power supply for release during times of high demand. By introducing flexibility into how electricity is dispatched, storage enables more efficient and stable operation of the grid.
“As one of Utah’s largest solar and energy storage operators, Clearway is supporting critical infrastructure in the state to help balance the grid and stabilize power costs,” said Craig Cornelius, CEO of Clearway. “We are proud to deliver storage capacity and its associated benefits at-scale in the Beehive State.”
In total, the Honeycomb projects will generate $60 million in property and sales taxes for schools and public services. They created 150 jobs at peak construction and prioritized the local employment pool. These systems will sustain more than a dozen full-time positions.
To mark commissioning, Clearway has made a $150,000 donation to Iron County Care & Share to support the launch of a tiny home village, offering safe, stable housing for individuals transitioning out of homelessness. Clearway’s Utah staff has supported the non-profit since 2023.
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Now what we need are lined and covered water storage units that will take advantage of the El Nino winter and the precipitation it will bring that’s now being forecast. That there are no reservoirs of any substantial capacity in southwest Utah’s mountain canyons is hard to believe.