Wythe County BESS

Project Introduction

Wythe County BESS is a 52 megawatt capacity, 208.8 MWh, battery energy storage system under development located in Wythe County, Virginia slated to begin operations in 2027.

Sited on 8 acres of land that is part of the existing land parcel already acquired for Wythe County Solar located at 669 Electric Ln., Max Meadows, Virginia, Wythe County BESS will offer a stable, 20-year source of revenue while providing energy resiliency for homes and businesses in the community. 

It is unlikely to impact the viewshed of neighboring properties as it will be nestled away from homes and roads behind a buffer of existing planted vegetation.

Site Location

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During construction, Wythe County BESS will create 41 jobs. 2 direct, indirect and induced jobs will be created during the life of the facility, which is anticipated to be 20 years. During those 20 years, it is projected that Wythe County BESS will generate over $1.5 million in tax revenue and revenue share payments for Wythe County, money that can go towards first responders, education, and community development. A siting agreement with the County was executed in May 2024, which provides for an additional $1.15 million in payments to Wythe County before commercial operations, as well as revenue share payments once operational starting at $1,400/MW/year with escalations of 10% every 5 years thereafter. 

Construction for Wythe County BESS is anticipated to begin in mid-2026 with commercial operations starting by mid-2027.

Status: In development

Facts and Figures

00 MW

Battery energy storage system

Over $ 00 Million

Realized in total County revenue

Sited on 00 Acres

on an existing solar site already under construction

Project Benefits

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Supporting Grid Reliability

Battery energy storage systems can help balance electricity supply and demand, and make it possible to use more electricity from resources like wind and solar, contributing to a cleaner environment for all. They improve grid stability and energy reliability, providing backup power when there is an adverse or unexpected event, such as extreme weather or an outage.

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Supporting Grid Reliability
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Supporting Farmers & Landowners

Farmers who choose to harvest clean energy are following a long tradition of using their land responsibly to produce food, fiber, and fuel. Wythe County BESS will be located on private property that is part of the existing land parcel already acquired for the Wythe County Solar site. With clean energy, participating landowners earn a reliable source of income. Farmers and landowners have the opportunity to reinvest in their business’ operations, save for retirement and use their increased purchasing power to support local businesses throughout the community.

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Supporting Farmers & Landowners
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Supporting Rural Economies

During Wythe County BESS’ construction, 41 full-time equivalent jobs will be created, offering opportunities for residents to enter the rapidly expanding clean energy workforce. Local businesses will see an economic boom as demand for lodging, restaurants, supplies, vehicle maintenance, and fuel increases throughout the 9-12 months of construction. During operations, 2 direct, indirect and induced jobs will be created to operate and maintain Wythe County BESS, and the project will continue to source supplies from local businesses. Wythe County BESS will provide millions in a one-time pulse of economic activity during construction, and in annual economic impact throughout the life of the project, in addition to providing direct revenue to the County.

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Supporting Rural Economies

Stronger Electric Grid

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Clean energy has become one of the most affordable and reliable sources of electricity available today for consumers. Through harnessing wind and the Sun’s energy, solar and wind farms help diversify and increase the resiliency of Virginia’s electric grid while protecting consumers from the volatility and rising costs of traditional energy sources.

Battery storage allows us to store more of that energy when it is abundant, and prices are low. We can then discharge it when it is needed, and prices are high, helping to balance electricity supply and demand, while improving power reliability and quality.

Protecting the Environment and the Community

Wythe County BESS will be designed to complement existing land uses, protect the soil, and avoid negative impacts to wildlife. Clean Energy technologies produce and discharge electricity without generating any pollution, resulting in cleaner air and water when compared to traditional power plants.

Reducing air pollution as well as water and soil contamination helps lower rates of asthma, heart conditions, and other health issues.

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Comprehensive studies and fire safety plans are required as part of the planning and permitting process to protect public safety and the environment. RWE’s BESS facilities conform to International Fire Codes and NFPA 855, the standard for installation of stationary energy storage systems, and are Underwriters Laboratories listed, having undergone rigorous testing and meeting the UL’s standards for safety.

RWE Clean Energy has 700 MW of installed BESS capacity in the United States, and 1.1 GW under construction. RWE’s advanced remote operations center will monitor the panels 24/7, 365 days a year while the onsite operations team will be available to respond in the unlikely event of an emergency. Additionally, RWE will provide training to the local Fire Department and First Responders for site and system familiarization, prior to commercial operations.

At the end of Wythe County BESS’ useful life, equipment will be removed and the land can be returned to its original uses.

Development Timeline

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