Orange, Connecticut-based energy firm Avangrid has announced plans to build a new 41 MW / 82 MWh battery storage project in Gilliam County, Oregon.

The new site, dubbed Shutler Energy Storage, will bolster the company’s current 3 GW footprint in the Pacific Northwest. And beyond the project itself, Avangrid has pledged to donate $110,000 every year to two Gilliam County nonprofits on behalf of the project, in an effort to support early childhood education and childcare opportunities.

The company will be splitting its annual funding evenly, sending $55,000 each to the county’s Condon Early Learning Center and Arlington Childcare Center every year, until the project is decommissioned.

“Shutler Energy Storage reflects Avangrid’s long‑term commitment to Oregon and the Pacific Northwest,” says Avangrid CEO Jose Antonio Miranda. “This project adds a flexible resource that will strengthen grid reliability, support good‑paying jobs, and help ensure the energy we generate is available when communities need it most.”

Shutler Energy Storage will sit adjacent to two existing Avangrid facilities, and a third which is currently under construction. Functioning as a massive backup power source, the battery will be able to discharge 41 MW for two hours, officials say. With that level of power output, a single discharge could power about 3,000 average American homes.

“Shutler Energy Storage gives us another tool to effectively manage our regional portfolio, improving how we coordinate across our generating assets and make better use of our existing infrastructure,” says Avangrid Power CEO Sy Oytan. “This added flexibility will allow us to respond quickly to changing grid conditions and operate our fleet more efficiently every day.”

Gilliam County Judge Cris Patnode says cost and availability of childcare are constantly rising, creating “barriers to a sustainable workforce.” Under the terms of the funding partnership, he adds, Avangrid will create more available childcare slots for families across the county.

“This partnership reflects a shared commitment to strengthening our community and investing in the well-being of local children and families,” says Haylee Andrews, executive director of Condon Early Leaning. “We are grateful for the lasting support this agreement will provide for early childhood education in our region.”

In addition to Avangrid’s yearly donations, the project’s construction will create about 35 local union jobs in the northern region of Oregon. The site will operate as a “key enabler” for Avangrid’s Balancing Authority program, designed to balance electrical supply and demand in the Pacific Northwest.

Mark Moore, board president of Arlington Childcare Center, says Avangrid’s project and annual investments will provide “vital support” for both his organization and the families it serves.

“This kind of community partnership provides working families with greater security, allows local businesses to thrive, and ensures that our community’s children have access to quality early learning experiences for years to come,” he says.

Avangrid representatives say Shutler Energy Storage is likely to come online sometime in 2027. The company currently operates more than 11 GW worth of renewable energy capacity across nearly 100 projects.

Tags: AVANGRID Inc., batteries, BESS, Oregon, project, storage