COMMUNITY FIRST
Local energy resilience for Mecklenburg County
Located in Mecklenburg County, Mitchell Energy Center is a proposed 100-megawatt battery energy storage facility that would strengthen local power reliability as data center growth adds unprecedented demand to Virginia’s grid. Charlottesville-based TerraForm Power is the developer.
To safeguard the community’s energy supply, this standalone energy resilience project secures the local grid by storing power during off-peak hours and dispatching it when demand peaks. This helps keep electricity prices in check and also adds a vital layer of defense to help protect local homes and businesses from outages during severe weather.
Designed with setbacks, perimeter fencing, and vegetative screening, Mitchell will meet or exceed all Mecklenburg County ordinances. The facility will operate quietly and safely, generating steady tax revenue to the County without drawing on public services.
100
acres of project footprint
1000
homes’ peak-evening demand supported for 4 hours
$3M
in direct county tax revenue over project lifetime
HOW WE WORK
Our approach to responsible battery storage
Our Health, Safety, Security and Environmental (HSSE) team has decades of experience as first responders (including Deputy Fire Chief, Firefighter, EMT, and HAZMAT Command). The team has extensive experience in the design, construction, and operation of BESS facilities. A safety- and community-first approach is a fundamental priority for this and every project we pursue.
Designing for safety from the ground up.
Built to the national NFPA 855 fire safety standard, the facility will feature 24/7 automated monitoring and physical containment spacing. We are actively partnering with the independent Energy Storage Response Group (ESRG) and local Mecklenburg County fire departments to create a site-specific emergency response and training plan.
Prioritizing responsible, low-impact site use.
This project connects directly to the transmission lines already running through the property, requiring no new high-voltage infrastructure. Located over 1,000 feet from the nearest homes, the single-story facility utilizes deep setbacks and a mature evergreen buffer to protect neighboring views.
Committed to a transparent, collaborative process.
We are deeply committed to the communities that host our facilities. Many of us grew up in Southside Virginia or have other deep ties to this area, and we work closely with community stakeholders to ensure alignment and accountability from planning and construction through ongoing operation.
COLLABORATION
Working together to provide a community asset
In close collaboration with Mecklenburg County fire departments, we are planning to install a 20,000-gallon water tank and locate it outside the Mitchell Energy Center’s fenceline — making it available for use by the area’s first responders.
This can help suppress grass fires that start outside the fenceline, before they enter the property where they could impact the energy storage equipment. But just as importantly, it helps better equip local fire departments to keep the community safer and respond to any grass, brush, or structure fire in the area.
LOCAL GRID SECURITY
A part of the energy solution
Mecklenburg County has a unique opportunity to protect its own energy grid. Energy consumption is increasing rapidly across Virginia from population growth, manufacturing, and data center expansion. Building more power lines and generation facilities alone will not keep pace with this demand..
Safe energy storage projects like Mitchell Energy Center are well-positioned to bridge that gap locally and affordably. According to grid operators, storage is one of the most cost-effective ways to prevent blackouts and lower wholesale electricity prices during peak hours.
That’s good news for Mecklenburg County residents who want reliable, lower-cost power without the need for new high-voltage infrastructure.
LOCAL IMPACT
$10B
invested statewide
INTERACTIVE MAP
Explore the project site and preliminary layout
Neighborhood
Meeting
Aug 26, 2026
WHAT
Mitchell Energy Center
Community Meeting and Q&A
WHEN
Wednesday, Aug 26, 2026
5:00 to 8:00 PM
WHERE
Estes Community Center
316 N Main Street
Chase City 23924
WHO WE ARE
About TerraForm Power
TerraForm Power is a Brookfield Renewable portfolio company and a leading North American developer and owner‑operator of utility‑scale renewable energy assets, driving the next generation of electric power, with a pipeline of more than 8 gigawatts and more than 2 gigawatts of solar, wind, and battery storage capacity across 16 U.S. states and Ontario, Canada. As a full‑service renewable energy firm, TerraForm supports the entire project lifecycle from site origination and permitting through construction and long‑term operations.
Please visit TerraForm.com to learn more.
QUESTIONS?
Contact Us
Our Charlottesville-based development team is working to bring Mitchell Energy Center to Mecklenburg County.
Tony Deyerle
Project Developer
John Marier
Project Engineer
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