Orsted's New Texas Battery Facility Powered by Tesla Megapacks

Unlocking Texas's Energy Future: Tesla Megapacks Drive Ørsted's Groundbreaking Storage Facility
Powering the Grid: Tesla Megapacks and Ørsted's Old 300 Storage Project
The Texas power grid is receiving a substantial boost from Ørsted's new Old 300 battery storage facility, which is now operational with the support of Tesla Megapacks. This state-of-the-art project boasts a capacity of 250 MW/500 MWh, signifying a major leap forward in energy storage capabilities for the region.
Strategic Location and Operational Capacity: Strengthening ERCOT's Network
Situated in Needville, a key location southwest of Houston, the Old 300 Storage system is fully integrated into the ERCOT grid. This strategic placement enables the facility to deliver a robust 250 MW of power consistently for two hours, playing a crucial role in stabilizing the local energy supply during peak demands.
Innovations from Tesla's Megafactory: Streamlined Deployment of Energy Solutions
The core components of this project, the Tesla Megapacks, are products of Tesla's advanced Megafactory in Lathrop, California—the largest industrial utility-scale battery energy storage system (BESS) factory in the United States. Each Megapack unit arrives as a comprehensive, integrated solution, incorporating battery modules, inverters, thermal management, and control systems. This integrated design dramatically simplifies the on-site assembly process, accelerating deployment. Currently, a standard two-hour Megapack configuration offers approximately 1.9 MW of power and 3.85 MWh of storage capacity per unit.
Enhancing Grid Resilience: Dynamic Charging and Discharge Capabilities
Tesla Megapacks are engineered for dynamic grid support. They efficiently absorb surplus electricity during periods of high generation and release it back into the grid when demand surges. Beyond simply storing and releasing energy, these systems also perform vital grid services, such as voltage and frequency management. These capabilities are particularly critical in Texas, where escalating energy demand and unpredictable weather patterns frequently strain the balance between electricity supply and consumption.
Independent Yet Complementary: Old 300 Storage and Solar Farm Operations
While the Old 300 Storage facility is co-located with Ørsted's 430 MW Old 300 Solar farm, the two entities operate independently. This autonomy means the battery system is not exclusively tied to the solar farm's output; it can both draw from and feed into the broader ERCOT grid, optimizing its utility. The Old 300 Solar farm, which has been active since 2024, generates sufficient power annually to supply approximately 80,000 Texas households and businesses. Together, these solar and battery initiatives are projected to contribute around $110 million in property tax revenue, benefiting local schools, infrastructure, and essential emergency services.
Industry Impact: Expanding Tesla's Storage Footprint and Ørsted's Renewable Portfolio
Melissa Peterson, president of Ørsted Americas Onshore, emphasized the critical role of battery energy storage in stabilizing ERCOT's power supply during tight demand periods. This project represents another 500 MWh addition to Tesla's rapidly expanding stationary storage division, further solidifying its presence in the global energy market. For Ørsted, it enlarges their operational US onshore portfolio to roughly 6 GW. Tesla reports a significant global footprint, with over 58 GWh of industrial storage systems actively deployed across more than 65 countries, underscoring its leadership in advanced energy storage solutions.