Recurrent Energy, a subsidiary of Canadian Solar Inc. and a leading global developer and operator of solar and energy storage assets, has announced that the 1,200 MWh Papago Storage project in Maricopa County, Arizona, is now fully operational. The facility has begun delivering stored electricity to Arizona Public Service (APS), the state’s largest electric utility, just in time to support rising power demand during the peak summer months.
Papago Storage is the first of three Recurrent Energy projects with tolling agreements in place with APS to go live. Together, the three projects will offer a total of 1,800 MWh of battery storage and 150 MWac of solar generation. Once all facilities are commissioned, they will collectively store and dispatch enough energy to power the equivalent of 72,000 homes for four hours and provide solar energy sufficient to meet the annual needs of approximately 24,000 homes.
Derek Seaman, APS Director of Resource Acquisition, said in a statement, “Summer is here, and we are ready to serve APS customers with the energy they need when they need it. The Papago Storage project is part of our diverse and balanced energy mix, helping us continue to provide Arizona with top-tier reliability and affordable service.”
Kevin Thompson, Chair of the Arizona Corporation Commission, mentioned, “I commend Recurrent Energy for completion of their 300MW Papago Energy Storage Project. Bringing online one of our state’s largest battery storage projects during this critical time when energy demand is growing rapidly will help our utilities execute an all-of-the-above response to that demand and further diversify Arizona’s energy resources.”
Arizona House Majority Leader Michael Carbone, also added, “I congratulate Recurrent Energy on this tremendous energy storage achievement. With our favorable business climate, Arizona’s economy is attracting development from all over the world, and we must provide the energy to accommodate this incredible growth. The Papago Storage Project will play an important role in Arizona’s energy future.”
Ismael Guerrero, CEO of Recurrent Energy, stated, “The commissioning of Papago Storage marks a major milestone in our collaboration with APS to strengthen Arizona’s energy infrastructure. We’re proud to deliver flexible capacity that meets the state’s growing energy needs and grateful for APS’s continued partnership. As we begin operations, we remain committed to building long-term value for the local community and our partners.”
Beyond supporting Arizona’s clean energy transition and grid reliability, the Papago Storage project is also contributing to the local community. As part of Recurrent Energy’s Community CaRE (Community and Renewable Energy) Program, the company has made contributions to the Harquahala Fire District and Arlington Elementary School in Maricopa County. These donations reflect the project’s broader goal of delivering both environmental and social value to the region.
The project was built by e-STORAGE, Canadian Solar’s majority-owned subsidiary, which served as the turnkey provider for engineering, procurement, and construction. e-STORAGE will also be responsible for maintaining the facility under a long-term service agreement, ensuring continued performance and reliability. The successful commissioning of Papago Storage marks an important step in Arizona’s efforts to build a cleaner, more resilient energy system, while demonstrating Recurrent Energy’s growing role in large-scale energy storage solutions across the U.S.
