County Clean Energy Provider Signs Deal for New Energy Storage System

Orange County Power Authority Takes Significant Step Toward Creating a Sustainable Future for Local Communities

IRVINE, Calif. (September 16, 2025) – Orange County Power Authority (OCPA) – a not-for-profit community clean energy provider – announced the finalization of an agreement with Lock Energy Center, LLC., a subsidiary of NextEra Energy Resources, LLC, America’s leading energy infrastructure developer. The agency’s Board of Directors approved an agreement to purchase up to 115 megawatts of capacity for OCPA’s customers from a new-build battery energy storage system, fulfilling its promise to enhance the reliability and resilience of the electric grid.

Located in Fresno County, Lock Energy Center will store electricity generated during peak production hours and distribute it during times of high demand. The project will help OCPA meet its mid-term reliability needs and add further resilience and value by acting as a secondary energy source. When complete, the Lock Energy Center can provide enough energy to power roughly 115,000 California homes. It will also generate millions in property tax revenue and support local economic development.

“Orange County Power Authority is continuously striving to support California in meeting its aggressive clean energy goals, and we are thrilled to accelerate progress toward carbon neutrality with the Lock Energy Center project,” said Susan Sonne, OCPA Board Chair. “We are thrilled to work with trusted OCPA collaborator NextEra Energy Resources to bring this project online.”

Lock Energy Center is expected to begin operations June 1, 2028 marking a major step forward in OCPA’s mission to deliver reliable, affordable and clean power to its customers. By investing in innovative projects like this one, OCPA continues to strengthen the region’s energy future while advancing California’s path toward a cleaner grid.

About Orange County Power Authority

The Orange County Power Authority is a not-for-profit public agency that offers clean power at competitive rates, significantly reducing energy-related greenhouse emissions and enabling reinvestment in local energy programs. To learn more, visit www.ocpower.org.