Loudoun eyed for $750M battery energy storage facility

Omaha-based energy company Tenaska has filed applications for a special exception and a commission permit to build the $750 million Spoonbill battery energy storage project in Loudoun County, Virginia. The proposed facility, capable of storing 425 megawatts of energy, would be located on nearly 93 acres off Gulick Mill Road southeast of Leesburg. Tenaska spokesperson Jamie Wagner stated the project would bring tax revenue, jobs, and enhance grid reliability, specifically mentioning potential customers range from utilities to corporate buyers and data centers. The site is strategically located near an existing high-voltage transmission line, aligning with the county's long-range plan for energy infrastructure, despite its current low-density residential designation. The approval process is expected to span months, including reviews by the Loudoun County Planning Commission in November and a potential final decision from the Board of Supervisors by March 2027. If approved, construction could begin in 2028, with operations starting by 2030. The article also notes Loudoun County's significant data center presence, recent elimination of by-right data center zoning for future projects, and ongoing efforts to address data center energy use, with environmental groups supporting battery storage over diesel generators for reliability.