EPE seeks approval for a new battery energy storage project in Fabens.

EPE's Notice for its CCN to Construct, Own & Operate the Felina Battery Project
PUBLIC NOTICE
On March 31, 2026, El Paso Electric Company (EPE or Company) filed an application with the Public Utility Commission of Texas (Commission) requesting an amendment to its Certificate of Convenience and Necessity (CCN) to construct, own and operate the Felina Battery Project (the Project), a new 150-megawatt (MW) 4-hour battery energy storage system (BESS), as a Texas resource. The docket number and style of the application are PUC Docket No. 59585, Application of El Paso Electric Company to Amend Its Certificate of Convenience and Necessity For a 150 MW Battery Storage Facility.  EPE is not seeking to change its rates in this proceeding.
The Project will be used by the Company as a resource allocated to serving its Texas jurisdiction and is expected to be operational by the summer of 2027. 
In 2025, EPE identified a pressing need for immediate additional resources to address anticipated capacity shortfalls and maintain resource adequacy to reliably serve its customers, specifically its Texas jurisdiction, from 2027 through 2031.  Consequently, on July 1, 2025, EPE issued the 2025 All-Source Request for Proposals (2025 RFP) to obtain long-term cost effective, reliable electric resources that will meet its Texas customer load requirements. EPE received 101 bids for a variety of resource types and capacity options. Based on a rigorous and thorough evaluation of the bids EPE received using economic and other criteria, along with the oversight of an independent evaluator, EPE identified the lowest reasonable-cost portfolio that would reliably meet the immediate energy and capacity needs of EPE customers and the Company's planning reserve margin.
The Project's 150 MW BESS facility is a HiTHIUM ESS 5.016MWh (4-hr) model with a liquid-cooled container which uses prismatic Lithium Iron Phosphate 314Ah cells.  The system is designed for 365 cycles per year, and guaranteed availability of 98%. These containers meet the highest level of safety requirements for energy storage systems prescribed by IEC, UL, ISO, and UN. Particularly, the thermal management system is NFPA 855 compliant using 3-layer fire resistant material with automatic alarms and automatic fire suppression systems. The Ingeteam INGECON® SUN STORAGE 3Power U HV C Series is a three-phase bidirectional storage inverter that can be used in grid-connected and stand-alone systems. 
The Project will be located adjacent to the existing and currently operational 150 MW Solar Generating Facility, Texas Solar One (TSO), in Fabens, Texas. The precise location of the site where the Project will be built and operated is 31.562° latitude and 106.031° longitude.  The proposed point of interconnection for the Project will be the Company's existing Wicked Substation at 115kV, located just south of the Project site. The Project will utilize already existing transmission infrastructure to create cost efficiencies and minimize development lag.   
The estimated cash capital cost for the Project is approximately $200 million. The cost does not reflect the federal Investment Tax Credits for renewable energy projects.
The deadline for intervention in this proceeding is June 5, 2026; a letter requesting intervention should be received by the Commission by that date. A request to intervene or for further information should be mailed to the Public Utility Commission of Texas, P.O. Box 13326, Austin, Texas 78711-3326.  Further information may also be obtained by calling the Commission at (512) 936-7120 or (888) 782-8477. Hearing- and speech-impaired individuals may contact the commission through Relay Texas at 1-800-735-2989. A copy of EPE's petition may be viewed on the Commission's webpage at www.puc.state.tx.us.  The Commission maintains an electronic copy of all filings on the "filings - interchange" section of its webpage. The control number for this proceeding on the Commission's webpage is Docket No. 59585.
Persons with questions, who want more information on this petition, or who want to obtain a copy of a map that depicts the facilities may also contact EPE at 100 N. Stanton, El Paso, Texas 79901, or call 1-915-543-4354, during normal business hours.  A map depicting the location of the facilities may be reviewed at EPE's offices at 100 N. Stanton, El Paso, Texas 79901.
April 28 2026
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