Item 4 Passedunofficial
Authorize negotiation and execution of a battery storage agreement with OCI Energy, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of OCI Enterprises Inc., for up to 100 megawatts of electrical power capacity produced by a utility-scale battery facility, in an amount not to exceed $8,250,000 per year, for a term up to 20 years, for a total amount not to exceed $165,000,000. Funding for the additional amounts is contingent upon available funding in future budgets.
Council is weighing a deal with OCI Energy to tap into a utility-scale battery facility that could supply Austin Energy with up to 100 megawatts of power. Battery storage helps the grid lean on stored energy when demand spikes or renewables aren't producing, which matters for keeping the lights on during Texas's weather extremes. The agreement would run up to 20 years and cost no more than $8,250,000 per year, for a total not to exceed $165,000,000, with future-year funding contingent on available budgets.
"Without objection, the consent agenda is adopted" — meeting transcript (unofficial)
What got said
- Jen Robichaud urged shortening the 20-year battery contract given fast-changing technology
- Paul Robbins questioned the economics of Austin Energy's battery contracts
- Sierra Club's Cyrus Reed supported the OCI battery storage agreement