Bobwhite Energy Storage, an affiliate of independent power producer (IPP) Tenaska has signed a long-term energy storage agreement (ESA) with utility Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) for a 225MW/900MWh project in East Tennessee, US.
The Bobwhite battery energy storage system (BESS) project, which Tenaska claims is currently in advanced development in Hawkins County, is expected to start construction in 2027 and come online in late 2029.
Tenaska’s ESA with TVA, the largest public energy provider in the US, spans 20 years, and the utility said it will help to support its “strategic commitment to strengthen grid reliability, manage peak demand and integrate more resources to help keep power affordable for hardworking American families.”
Tenaska claimed that the construction and operation of the Bobwhite project is expected to boost the local economy, with a total estimated investment of US$300 million.
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Additionally, the company expects the project to create up to 75 jobs during peak construction, prioritising workers from the surrounding communities. It also stated that Bobwhite will “create meaningful avenues for local businesses to provide goods and services, helping to keep economic benefits rooted in the community and supporting long-term regional growth.”
Large-scale energy storage activity in Tennessee being driven by utility-led procurements
In 2025, TVA issued a request for proposals (RFP) for BESS developers to submit proposals for a 100MW BESS, to be located at the utility’s Kingston Energy Complex in Roane County. The utility said once the complex is completed, it will deliver 50MW of combined cycle natural gas, 800MW of flex-fuel aeroderivative turbines, 100MW of battery storage and up to 4MW of solar.
The municipal utility serving the city of Memphis — Memphis Light, Gas and Water (MLGW) also announced its intent to issue an RFP for 100MW of solar generation and 80MW of utility scale battery storage. The proposed date for the first operation is Q3 2026.
Tennessee’s growing population has driven up energy demand. TVA plans to invest nearly US$16 billion in grid reliability and efficiency, including approximately 5,500MW of new firm, dispatchable generation by 2029.
In 2020, TVA announced the 40MWh Vonore battery storage plant. At the time, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) data showed Tennessee had 1,652.2MW of installed storage capacity, but all except 0.1MW came from the massive Racoon Mountain pumped hydro facility.
Tennessee operates outside any regional transmission organization (RTO) or independent system operator (ISO), though PJM coordinates electricity movement in a small portion of the state.
Tenaska, based in Omaha, Nebraska, claims to have successfully developed approximately 14,000MW of natural gas-fueled and renewables projects. The company’s development portfolio includes more than 33,000MW of energy projects, including 7,000MW of BESS.
