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Eastpoint Energy says Citrus Flats battery project nearly online, presents community benefit to Harlingen
Summary
Eastpoint Energy representatives told the Harlingen City Commission that the 100 MW Citrus Flats battery storage project is in the late commissioning phase, is intended to stabilize the ERCOT grid, is not a data center, and presented a community benefit contribution for local parks and soccer improvements.
Eastpoint Energy told the Harlingen City Commission that construction of the Citrus Flats Energy Center is nearing completion and that the company expects the 100‑megawatt, two‑hour duration battery system to reach commercial operation in the coming months, pending final testing and ERCOT/AEP coordination.
Maggie Howe, vice president of product development at Eastpoint, reintroduced the project and emphasized that the facility is a standalone battery energy storage system—not a data center. “I do want to be clear that this is not connected in any way to a data center,” Howe said, explaining battery storage basics and the project’s role stabilizing the grid and offering price‑stabilizing services when demand spikes.
Howe told the Commission the facility occupies roughly six acres just south of Valley International Airport on Loop 499 and comprises battery arrays, inverters and a substation. She said the two‑hour duration system—100 MW for about two hours—equates to a meaningful, though temporary, supply of electricity to the local grid during peak demand.
Eastpoint estimated roughly $19 million in tax contributions over the lifetime of the asset and emphasized a commitment to local partnerships. Company representatives presented a community benefit contribution to help fund improvements at the Harlingen Soccer Complex and said they had coordinated training exercises with the Harlingen Fire Department to prepare first responders for unlikely emergency scenarios at the battery site.
Commissioners asked technical questions about interconnection, the project’s expected commercial online date (Howe said the project is in restricted operations and part‑three testing with ERCOT and could be fully online as soon as next month or somewhat later), and community engagement plans (including a future call for local artists to propose a mural on the facility’s frontage wall).
The EDC’s Orlando Campos introduced Eastpoint and noted the company’s partnership with the Development Corporation of Harlingen. Commission members thanked Eastpoint for the donation and for coordinating training with first responders.
Next steps: Eastpoint said it would process the contribution wire to the City/EDC and invited commissioners and community members to the project groundbreaking and mural solicitation process. Staff will continue to track interconnection testing with ERCOT and any permit or inspection items required before full commercial operation.
