Summary
North America’s largest steel manufacturer, Nucor Corporation, selected Ameresco to deliver a 50 MW / 200 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS), now fully operational and supporting expanded production at the site. The system, the largest behind-the-meter (BTM) project in Arizona, enables Nucor to increase annual production capacity to 600,000 tons, strengthening reliability and long term operational performance. Ameresco is also delivering a 30 MW AC solar asset, scheduled to enter operation in 2026, further advancing Nucor’s energy transition and site expansion goals.
“The battery energy storage system at our Kingman mill is a site-specific solution developed in response to the unique grid that serves the plant operations and smooths out our energy demand. We’re grateful for the collaboration with Ameresco and our utility partners to deliver a system that supports our expansion and maintains operational reliability.”
– Matt Blitch
Vice President & General Manager, Nucor
20 Years
Storage Services Agreement
50 MW
Energy Storage Capacity
200 MWh
BESS Generation
600,000 Tons
Annual Plant Production Capacity
Customer Benefits
The BESS provides Nucor’s expanding Kingman steel mill with a more resilient and reliable energy profile while easing strain on the regional grid. By smoothing the significant load swings from the new electric arc furnace, the system enhances operational stability and supports increased renewable integration. Benefits include:
- Supports renewable energy adoption, ahead of the co-located 30 MW AC solar asset (2026)
- Reduces grid strain by stabilizing large, variable load from Nucor’s new arc furnace
- Improves operational reliability during the mill’s major production expansion
- Establishes Arizona’s largest BTM battery and the 4th largest BTM installation in the U.S.
Solution
To support expanded production while navigating grid constraints, Nucor partnered with Ameresco to implement a behind-the-meter (BTM) energy solution designed for reliability, flexibility, and growth. Ameresco developed, owns, and operates a utility-scale, onsite BESS integrated at a Nucor substation in Mohave Electric Cooperative territory and operated by Arizona Electric Power Cooperative (AEPCO), part of the Arizona G&T Cooperatives. The project includes 58 Tesla Megapack 2XL units operating under a 20-year Storage Services Agreement (SSA). Specific solutions include:
- Development and delivery of 50 MW / 200 MWh BTM BESS
- Asset ownership and long-term operations & maintenance (O&M)
- Future 30 MW AC solar delivery (scheduled 2026)
