Virginia Enacts Energy Storage Legislation, Setting 4,000 MW Capacity Target By 2030

 

 

 

Virginia Enacts Energy Storage Legislation, Setting 4,000 MW Capacity Target by 2030

 

 

 

Virginia Governor Spanberger has signed House Bill 895 and Senate Bill 448-bipartisan legislation designed to mitigate energy price volatility, enhance grid reliability, and accelerate the state's transition to domestically manufactured clean energy. The bills authorize the establishment of a statewide energy storage capacity target of 4,000 megawatts (MW) by 2030, set a nation-leading goal of 16,000 MW of short-duration storage capacity by 2045, and create new opportunities for the development of long-duration energy storage.

Analysis by the American Clean Power Association (ACP) indicates that, absent the construction of new clean power generation facilities, Virginia residents would face an average additional cost of $5,200 over the next decade. The Association's Q4 2025 market report reveals that Virginia currently ranks among the top five states nationwide in terms of its clean energy project pipeline. The legislation aims to create new jobs within the energy sector, strengthen manufacturing supply chains, and ensure a stable, reliable electricity supply to support the state's economic growth.

Frank Macchiarola, Chief Advocacy Officer at the American Clean Power Association, stated that energy storage is one of the most effective tools available to Virginia-both now and in the future-for maintaining the affordability and reliability of its electricity supply. Diane Cherry, Deputy Director of MAREC Action, noted that Virginia is facing increasingly severe challenges regarding electricity affordability and reliability; energy storage can help address these issues by providing power during periods of peak demand, a solution that necessitates expanding storage procurement targets and implementing specialized planning for both long-duration and short-duration storage resources.