CPS Energy has started operations at Padua 1, a 50-megawatt battery energy storage system located in Bexar County. The project is owned and operated by Eolian, L.P., and was selected following a request for proposals initiated by CPS Energy in 2020. In 2023, the utility entered into a storage capacity agreement with Eolian for Padua 1.
Padua 1 is directly connected to the CPS Energy grid and is designed to charge when there is excess electricity supply. It can then release stored energy during periods of high demand or system cost. This ability to quickly absorb and discharge electricity supports grid reliability and helps integrate cleaner energy resources, especially during times of extreme weather or peak usage.
“Padua 1 is a major step forward for our utility and our community,” said Rudy D. Garza, President and CEO of CPS Energy. “It’s the first energy storage project as part of our diverse generation plan to come online, and it sets the tone for what’s ahead. Battery storage strengthens our ability to continue to serve our customers reliably now and in the future.”
Aaron Zubaty, CEO of Eolian, noted: “The overall Padua Grid battery energy storage complex, which will total 400 MW and nearly 2 GWh when completed in early 2026, will be the largest battery energy storage deployment in Texas when completed. Padua Grid was sited years ago at a critical substation adjacent to the JK Spruce and retiring Braunig power plants and was specifically designed to reduce overloads on key transmission lines serving San Antonio. Battery energy storage projects of this scale enable the efficient utilization of existing transmission resources and are the lowest-cost and fastest solution to meeting the nation’s strategic need to grow electricity production by allowing baseload power plants to operate better.”
This launch follows an earlier announcement from CPS Energy regarding agreements for an additional 350 MW of battery storage capacity through two other projects: Padua 2 (150 MW) and Ferdinand (200 MW), both also developed by Eolian. Padua 2 is expected to be operational in Spring 2026.
As part of related community benefit agreements, project entities will contribute at least $175,000 annually over five years toward CPS Energy-sponsored activities and scholarships in Greater San Antonio once these projects are fully operational. In addition, Eolian contributed $50,000 in 2024 to CPS Energy’s Residential Energy Assistance Program.
CPS Energy provides electric service to more than 950,000 customers in San Antonio as well as natural gas service to over 389,000 customers across parts of seven counties. The company reports that its combined customer bills are among the lowest compared with other large U.S. cities.
Eolian operates battery energy storage projects nationwide as well as clean energy initiatives co-located with data centers.
