Massachusetts sets highest battery storage target among US states
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Massachusetts officials are implementing policies to reach 10 gigawatts of battery storage capacity by 2035. The state aims to install 5 gigawatts by 2030 and another 5 gigawatts by 2035.
The state government is using a combination of financial incentives and streamlined permitting to attract developers. The Clean Peak Standard, which started in 2020, pays owners of energy storage and renewable facilities to provide power during peak demand.
Additionally, new rules that took effect on July 1 allow the Energy Facilities Siting Board to approve large projects of 100 MW or higher. These rules require the board to make decisions within 15 months of an application, bypassing the need for developers to coordinate with individual municipalities. Several projects are currently underway as a result of these measures.
One developer is preparing to build a 700-megawatt facility near Boston, while another company secured $850 million to build a 250-MW battery. The state already exceeded its initial goal of 1 GW of storage by 2025, reaching 1.6 GW ahead of schedule. Despite these advancements, developers face high costs to connect projects to the grid. Some developers canceled plans because interconnection costs reached $65 million or higher.
Community opposition also persists in some areas, with residents expressing concerns about fire risks and potential water contamination. Advocates for the projects argue that modern safety protocols and different technologies make these risks less likely than past incidents.
