Memphis Light, Gas & Water (MLGW), which serves over 440,000 customers, aims to build a solar generation plant and utility-scale battery storage to add stability to the city’s power grid, according to an article in The Commercial Appeal.

MLGW, the nation’s largest three-service municipal utility, announced its intent to issue a request for proposal for 100 megawatts (MW) of solar power generation and 80 MW of battery storage in a press release on its website. MLGW is seeking 100 MW of solar generation paired with 50 MW of 2- or 4-hour utility-scale battery storage constructed on its property, another property in the service territory or other suitable property recommended by the vendor. It is also seeking 20 MW of 2- or 4-hour utility-scale battery storage installations at a predetermined MLGW substation and another 10 MW within the distribution system.

The utility will consider proposals that build generation for MLGW operation or for power purchase agreement from an independent operator, according to the press release.

The solar generation and utility-scale battery storage project would improve reliability and resiliency of the electric grid and ensure continued availability of affordable power for MLGW’s customers for decades, the press release said.

The proposed date for first operation of the plant and battery storage is the summer of 2026 (Q3 2026).

Responses to the request for proposals close on April 28.