Equinor has begun operations at the Citrus Flatts energy storage facility in Harlingen, Texas, its largest energy storage project in the US to date.

The 100MW/200MW-hour (MWh) battery facility was completed by East Point Energy, a company wholly owned by Equinor.

Citrus Flatts is the fifth battery storage site Equinor has put into commercial service in the past four years.

It becomes East Point Energy’s second operating project following the launch of the 10MW/20MWh Sunset Ridge facility in 2025.

The combined capacity of Citrus Flatts and Sunset Ridge is sufficient to power approximately 30,000 Texas households for up to two hours.

Both projects participate on a merchant basis in the Electric Reliability Council of Texas market.

East Point Energy’s move from project developer to independent power producer is part of Equinor’s strategy to develop a competitive presence in onshore power and capture value throughout the energy chain.

Equinor’s integrated approach, which includes collaboration with trading unit Danske Commodities, helps to strengthen asset management and optimise its power portfolio.

Battery storage systems such as Citrus Flatts and Sunset Ridge help bolster energy security and support grid stability.

By storing surplus electricity and releasing it during periods of peak demand, these projects help balance supply and demand and improve overall reliability.

Equinor onshore renewables Americas vice-president and East Point Energy board chair Christian Lie Hansen said: “The start-up of these facilities underscores Equinor’s ambition to grow its integrated power business, delivering flexible and reliable energy solutions in attractive power markets.”

Beyond Texas, Equinor is developing a further four battery storage projects in Virginia’s PJM power market, with a combined capacity of 80MW/160MWh.

Construction is ongoing and the company expects these facilities to be operational in early 2027.