Efforts to advance Connecticut’s clean energy infrastructure are encountering challenges as a proposed 325-megawatt battery energy storage system, named Windham Energy Center, faces administrative and legal obstacles. The project, which aims to support the state’s carbon-free power goals, is slated to be built in Killingly, Connecticut, on a site previously intended for a fossil fuel power plant. Despite its potential benefits, the initiative remains entangled in unresolved regulatory issues stemming from the now-defunct plans for the natural gas plant. These developments underline the complexities of transitioning to renewable energy, especially at sites with prior development histories.
Why is the project hitting delays?
The Windham Energy Center, spearheaded by Israeli firm Sunflower Sustainable Investments, seeks to utilize existing grid infrastructure to connect its lithium-ion battery storage system to a 345-kilovolt transmission line. However, the Connecticut Siting Council has stalled the application, citing the lingering validity of a Certificate of Environmental Compatibility and Public Need issued to NTE Energy in 2019. Although NTE Energy has dissolved, and its proposed natural gas plant was never built, the certificate remains active until September 28, 2026, unless formally revoked by the council or surrendered by NTE Energy representatives.
How are community concerns being addressed?
Local leadership in Killingly, including Town Council chair Jason Alexander and vice chair Tammy Wakefield, has raised safety concerns about the proposed battery facility. Their apprehensions stem from recent incidents of battery fires in other states, such as New York. In response, Windham Energy has emphasized its use of lithium iron phosphate batteries, which are considered less flammable than other lithium-ion variants.
“The element in the battery is iron, which doesn’t burn,” said Jonathan Milley, a spokesperson for Windham Energy, while also committing to collaborate with fire authorities to establish emergency response protocols.
The project’s developers have also sent certified correspondence to NTE Energy’s last known contact, Stephanie Clarkson, seeking clarity on whether NTE’s prior certificate should block the new proposal. At the same time, Windham Energy has filed a motion with the Connecticut Siting Council to revoke the earlier certificate, with discussions expected during the council’s February 6 meeting.
A comparison to earlier plans for the site, which focused on fossil fuel energy, reveals a significant shift in energy priorities. While the natural gas plant sparked environmental outcry and ultimately failed to materialize, the Windham Energy Center aligns with Connecticut’s legislative goals for 1,000 megawatts of energy storage by 2030. The change highlights ongoing tensions between legacy infrastructure and the state’s renewable energy aspirations.
As Connecticut explores renewable energy solutions, the challenges faced by the Windham Energy Center highlight the importance of resolving regulatory and safety concerns to gain public trust. The project’s reliance on lithium iron phosphate batteries may set a precedent for future installations to mitigate fire risks. Additionally, addressing legal ambiguities through timely council decisions could streamline the path for renewable energy projects. Public and governmental collaboration will be essential to overcoming such barriers and achieving clean energy objectives.
