Vistra Invests in New Technologies, Launches Vistra Zero Portfolio

Vistra Zero generates zero-carbon electricity, leading America toward a clean energy future.
Oct 26, 2020 2:00 PM ET
Campaign: Vistra Zero

Vistra, which is already developing the world's largest battery energy storage project, the 400-MW/1,600-MWh Moss Landing Energy Storage Facility in California, today announced that it is breaking ground on six new solar projects and one battery energy storage project. These new zero-carbon developments, which are part of a newly launched Vistra Zero portfolio, represent a capital investment of approximately $850 million and are all located in the attractive Texas ERCOT market where Vistra has a leadership position:

Expected online in 2021 

  • Andrews Solar Facility, Andrews County – 100 MW
  • Brightside Solar Facility, Live Oak County – 50 MW
  • Emerald Grove Solar Facility, Crane County – 108 MW
  • Upton 2 Solar and Energy Storage Facility – Phase III, Upton County – 10 MW solar
    o   Additional solar capacity to be added to the already operational facility, bringing its total solar capacity to 190 MW

Expected online in 2022

  • DeCordova Energy Storage Facility, Hood County – 260 MW/260 MWh
    o   Co-located on site of Luminant's natural gas-fueled DeCordova Power Plant
  • Forest Grove Solar Facility, Henderson County – 200 MW
  •  Oak Hill Solar Facility, Rusk County – 200 MW

The Vistra Zero portfolio also includes the company's existing nuclear, renewable, and energy storage facilities:

  • Comanche Peak Nuclear Power Plant (2,300 MW)
  •  Upton 2 Solar (180 MW) and Energy Storage Facility (10 MW/42 MWh)
  •  Moss Landing Energy Storage Facility (400 MW/1,600 MWh) – 300 MW Phase I expected online December 2020; 100 MW Phase II expected online by August 2021
  •  Oakland Energy Storage Facility (36.25 MW/ 145 MWh) – expected online January 2022

Inclusive of its new carbon-free projects, the Vistra Zero portfolio now consists of approximately 4,000 MW of zero-carbon assets. In addition, the company continues to evaluate additional solar and battery projects, including more than 1,000 MW in Texas, more than 1,000 MW in California, and approximately 450 MW in Illinois under the Coal to Solar and Energy Storage Act. Vistra is also exploring potential future development opportunities at many of the company's existing power plant sites.