Enphase’s IQ Battery 5P. Credit: Virtue Solar
Illinois clean energy trade associations are unifying and calling for the Illinois Commerce Commission’s (ICC) consultant to make critical revisions to its upcoming report on clean energy storage procurement.
The report, currently in draft form and prepared by an ICC-appointed consultant, is intended to guide the state’s path toward deploying 1,500 MW of energy storage as part of Illinois’ ultimate clean energy and grid reliability goals, a benchmark set by recent legislation. However, the early draft indicates a recommendation of approximately half that amount, prompting a unified response from Illinois’ clean energy industry urging course correction.
Projections show Illinois will ultimately need 15,000 MW or more of storage to avoid an energy capacity shortfall and price spikes. Industry leaders warn that falling short of this target could hinder progress at a time when Illinois must accelerate clean energy deployment to meet growing demand and avoid energy shortfalls.
The Illinois clean energy industry has recommended changes to the draft report, including:
- Set an initial procurement recommendation of 1,500 MW, rather than 840 MW, to reflect what is viable, ready and necessary to serve Illinois’ resource needs.
- Hold additional procurements between August 2025 and the end of 2026 that would result in a total of 3,000 MW of storage online by 2030. This puts Illinois on track for what is needed to curb energy shortfalls by 2030.
- Set a clear target for projects coming online by 2035, as decisions are being made now about these projects, which require years to complete. This will encourage companies to stay on course for completion.
- The utility scale procurement should allow both stand-alone and hybrid/co-located projects to be considered. This would ensure a true open market procurement to bring the most cost-effective projects forward for ratepayer benefit.
The final study is due to the ICC on May 1 and will take into account feedback to the draft from stakeholders including the energy industry, environmental groups, organized labor, and utilities. Learn more about the study and view its current draft here.
“ACP applauds the initial steps taken by the legislature to authorize a 1,500 MW energy storage procurement this year. Illinois needs energy storage on its grid. And it needs a significant amount. Energy storage is a unique and critical tool to develop a more flexible and adaptive grid. It is imperative that state leaders address remaining barriers to deployment and meet the needs of Illinois ratepayers and electricity consumers while deploying resources to address rising energy demand,” said Erika Kowall, director of midwestern state affairs for American Clean Power, in a press statement.
News item from Solar Powers Illinois
