Calpine's Nova Power Storage Facility Approaches Finish Line in Menifee, California
Calpine Corporation, a leading player in the US battery energy storage (BESS) market, is investing in upgrading energy infrastructure with the launch of the Nova Power Bank project. This battery storage facility, located in Menifee, southwest of Riverside County, is being constructed on a 43-acre site near Interstate 15 and State Route 74.
The Nova Power Bank is a significant endeavour, with the capacity to store enough power to supply upwards of 680,000 homes for up to four hours upon completion. Calpine is partnering with the Menifee community and trade labor partners for this ambitious project.
As of August 2025, a concrete timeline for the Nova Power Bank's completion and unveiling has not been publicly disclosed. However, given the scale of the project and the common challenges faced by major energy and data center projects in the US, a multi-year buildout, potentially exceeding three years, could be expected.
Alex Makler, Calpine's Senior VP for the West, expressed enthusiasm for the project following early progress. He stated, "The Nova Power Bank will play a crucial role in supplying energy during hot summer afternoons and cold winter nights, contributing to grid reliability, rate stability, and avoiding service disruptions in the region."
The Nova Power Bank project includes participation from Southern California Edison, Penisula Clean Energy, and San Diego Gas & Electric. Once connected to the grid, the facility will sustain these entities' operations, ensuring a stable energy supply for the region.
Calpine is not limiting its investments to the Nova Power Bank. The corporation also has approximately 2,000 megawatts (2GW) of battery storage in development in California. Furthermore, a 1GW battery storage complex is being developed in Arizona, and an agreement has been signed for a 400 MWh BESS next to one of Australia's biggest solar projects.
Calpine's commitment to energy sustainability and grid dependability is evident in its role as one of the largest BESS market shareholders in the US. The corporation recently hosted lunch for 100 workers on the site after the project's launch, signalling a positive momentum for the Nova Power Bank.
While a precise timeline for the Nova Power Bank's completion and unveiling remains uncertain, the project's progress and Calpine's ongoing participation in investor conferences suggest ongoing development activity. Further updates may be released through investor communications or industry announcements.
Battery energy storage facilities like the Nova Power Bank store excess energy during seasons of high supply and low consumer demand, and supply the stored energy during times of high demand and low supply. This innovative technology is a significant step towards achieving grid dependability and climate sustainability.
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- Calpine Corporation's investment in the Nova Power Bank project, a battery energy storage facility, demonstrates their commitment to upgrading energy infrastructure using renewable-energy technology.
- Construction of the Nova Power Bank, a project consortium involving Calpine, Menifee community, and trade labor partners, is underway on a 43-acre site near Interstate 15 and State Route 74 in Menifee.
- Once completed, the Nova Power Bank will have the capacity to store enough power to sustain energy for upwards of 680,000 homes for up to four hours, contributing to grid reliability and rate stability in the region.
- To further support the renewable-energy industry, Calpine Corporation has approximately 2,000 megawatts (2GW) of battery storage in development in California, and is developing a 1GW battery storage complex in Arizona, as well as pursuing a 400 MWh BESS next to one of Australia's biggest solar projects.
