Ameresco, Inc. has announced the development and commercial operation of its 50MW/200MWh battery energy storage system (BESS)—the largest behind-the-meter (BTM) project in Arizona.
The project was developed in Kingman, Arizona for Nucor, the largest steel producer in North America. It will support a major expansion that includes the installation of a new electric arc furnace that will increase the facility’s production capacity to 600,000 tons annually.
The BESS was installed at a Nucor substation within the Mohave Electric Cooperative’s territory. It will be operated by Arizona Electric Power Cooperative (AEPCO), part of the Arizona G&T Cooperatives.
Construction began in December 2024, with the site featuring 58 Tesla Megapack 2XL units under a 20-year Storage Services Agreement (SSA). Ameresco will deliver a 25 MW AC solar asset to further support Nucor’s energy transition, scheduled to begin operations in 2026.
The onsite battery asset will help stabilize the electric load from Nucor’s new arc furnace and reduce strain on the grid, making it easier for the utility to manage power fluctuations.
“We are thrilled to have been selected for this groundbreaking BESS project,” said Jonathan Mancini, Senior Vice President – Solar & BESS Project Development at Ameresco, in a statement. “By placing a battery energy storage system onsite at Nucor’s Kingman plant, we are helping to support their expansion and create a more resilient, reliable and clean energy future.”
Matt Blitch, Vice President and General Manager at Nuco, added, “The battery energy storage system at our Kingman mill is a site-specific solution developed in response to the unique grid that serves the plant operations and smooths out our energy demand.”
GreenFront Energy Partners provided consulting services for the contracting and structuring of the project.
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