The US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has issued a 40-year license for the Goldendale Energy Storage Project in Washington state, clearing a key regulatory step for development of the closed-loop pumped storage hydropower facility. The project is being developed by Rye Development and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP), on behalf of its Flagship Fund CI V.
The project will be built on private land at the site of a former aluminium smelter near Goldendale, Washington. Once operational, it is designed to provide up to 12 hours of energy storage and generate 1200MW.
“This is a landmark moment for the Pacific Northwest,” said Erik Steimle, Rye Development’s chief development officer. “With electricity demand and energy costs on the rise, this license represents a huge step toward a more reliable grid and affordable energy prices for the region.”
Electricity demand in the Pacific Northwest is projected to increase by more than 30% over the next decade. Developers say pumped storage hydropower can help manage peak demand and improve grid reliability by providing large-scale, long-duration energy storage.
Construction of the Goldendale project is expected to take four to five years and is projected to create more than 3000 jobs during that period, along with dozens of permanent operational positions. The project is also expected to generate more than $10m annually in local tax revenue for Klickitat County.
“The Goldendale Energy Storage Project is a win for middle-class, family-wage jobs and rural communities,” said Heather Kurtenbach, executive secretary of the Washington State Building & Construction Trades Council. “We’re excited to collaborate with Rye Development on what will be one of the largest construction projects southeastern Washington has seen in decades.”
Rye Development has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Washington State Building & Construction Trades Council and the Columbia Pacific Building & Construction Trades Council that requires contractors to hire union labor and prioritize local workers. The agreement also includes apprenticeship opportunities during the construction period.
The project site is located at the former Columbia Gorge Aluminum smelter, a brownfield property within Klickitat County’s Energy Overlay Zone, which is intended to streamline energy development. The project area overlaps with the Tuolumne Wind Farm and is expected to make use of existing roads and transmission infrastructure.
“Redeveloping the Columbia Gorge Aluminum smelter into a clean energy resource has been a longtime vision of this community,” said Richard Foster, economic development director for Klickitat County. “The project revitalises our community with good-paying jobs, stimulates local economic growth and enhances our leadership in renewable energy.”
Developers have not announced a construction start date.
