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Vistra will invest $50 million to convert the Joppa Power Plant into an energy storage system

DeCordova - modules inside container - angle
Vistra Energy
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Vistra Energy
An example of the battery cells that will be built in Joppa

The Joppa power plant is set to retire this fall, but it’s parent company has plans to make a hefty reinvestment at the site.

Vistra is shutting down the coal fired power plant in Joppa this September.

They’re also spending more than $50 million dollars build an energy storage system.

The building will hold thousands of battery cells that are about the size of a VCR with a total storage of 37 megawatts.

Senior Vice President of Development Claudia Morrow says construction should start next fall, but there’s still a lot of work that has to be done before they begin.

“But in between now and Q3 of 23, we'll be doing all the pre-construction and engineering that's required for development of every renewable resource. And some of that's already started and will mobilize. And our construction partner will come on site for the actual construction in Q3 of 23.”

Vistra will receive more than $40 million dollars over the next ten years from the Coal To Solar Energy Storage Grant Program to help pay for the project.

Benjy Jeffords is a digital media production specialist at WSIU Public Broadcasting located at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. Contact WSIU Radio at 618-453-6101 or email wsiunews@wsiu.org
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