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Eastpoint Energy updates Harlingen on 100 MW Citrus Flats battery storage, donates to soccer complex
Summary
Eastpoint Energy told the Harlingen commission its Citrus Flats Energy Center — a roughly 100 MW, 2‑hour battery facility near Loop 499 — is near commercial operation and will contribute to the Harlingen Parks and Soccer Complex through a community benefit agreement.
Eastpoint Energy representatives updated the Harlingen City Commission on May 20 about the Citrus Flats Energy Center, a grid‑scale battery energy storage project located just south of Valley International Airport and nearing commercial operation.
Maggie Howe, vice president of project development at Eastpoint, told the commission the facility — about 100 megawatts with a two‑hour duration — is intended to support grid stability, store surplus generation (particularly overnight wind) and discharge during peak demand. Howe said the project’s lifetime tax contributions are estimated at roughly $19 million and that the company has provided a community‑benefit contribution to support the Harlingen Soccer Complex.
The presentation emphasized that the battery facility is not a data processing center. Howe described the site footprint (about six acres impacted by construction), the interconnection to AEP’s transmission system and ongoing commissioning activities with ERCOT and AEP; she said the project is in commissioning and could reach commercial operation as soon as next month depending on final administrative clearances.
Safety, operations and community engagement: Eastpoint said it has trained the Harlingen Fire Department on emergency response for the unlikely event of an incident and that it will continue annual training cadences. The company also described plans to host a call for local artists to paint a visible mural on the facility and to fund local nonprofits, first‑responder equipment and other community needs.
Commissioner questions focused on the facility’s geographic reach, whether electricity stored would remain within ERCOT boundaries, timeline to full operation, and the timing of the Harlingen Soccer Complex contribution. Eastpoint representatives said electricity flows within the ERCOT system and cannot be exported beyond ERCOT, that the facility typically charges overnight and discharges during peak daytime hours and that the contribution wire transfer was expected within days.
What this means for Harlingen: Commissioners praised the company for community contributions and for clarifying confusion between battery storage facilities and data centers. The commission welcomed a nearby private partner that officials said could support local infrastructure and sport‑facility improvements.
Next steps: Eastpoint will continue commissioning work with regulators and staff will coordinate logistics for the Harlingen Soccer Complex contribution and local vendor opportunities.
