Ørsted Acquires 150 MW Michigan Battery Project in Major Clean Energy Push

BOULDER, Colo. – May 07, 2026 – In a significant move underscoring Michigan's growing importance as a clean energy hub, global renewable energy leader Ørsted has acquired the 150-megawatt (MW) Salzburg battery energy storage system (BESS) project from developer ESA Solar Energy, LLC. The deal, announced today, was exclusively advised by Ascend Analytics, which facilitated the transaction through its Ascend Energy Exchange (AEX™) platform.

The acquisition marks a critical step forward for a state racing to meet aggressive clean energy targets and stabilize its power grid against surging demand. The Salzburg project, now in the hands of a tier-one operator, is poised to become a cornerstone of Michigan's energy transition, providing essential grid stability long before the state's 2040 deadline for 100% clean energy.

A Keystone for Michigan's Energy Future

The Salzburg BESS project is more than just another power asset; it is a strategic piece of infrastructure designed to address the specific challenges of a modernizing grid. The 150 MW / 600 MWh standalone battery system, located on a 15-acre site in Midland Township, will function like a giant rechargeable battery for the state's electrical system. It will store excess energy when generation from renewables like wind and solar is high and discharge it during periods of peak demand, effectively smoothing out the intermittency of green power sources.

This capability is vital for Michigan, which has enacted some of the nation's most ambitious climate legislation. In late 2023, the state codified a goal of achieving a 60% renewable portfolio standard by 2035 and 100% clean energy by 2040. Crucially, Public Act 233 established a first-in-the-Midwest energy storage mandate, requiring 2,500 MW of storage by 2029. The Salzburg project directly contributes to this target, representing a significant portion of the initial capacity needed.

The timing is critical. The Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO), which manages the grid for Michigan and surrounding states, projects that regional energy demand could nearly double by 2040, largely driven by the explosive growth of power-hungry data centers. This anticipated load growth puts immense pressure on grid reliability, making dispatchable resources like battery storage indispensable.

"Michigan is poised for significant growth in clean energy and electrification, and energy storage will be essential to maintaining reliability as renewables scale," said James Giamarino, Chief Commercial Officer for Ørsted Americas. "Acquiring this energy storage project fits well within our strategic growth ambitions, adding to our development pipeline and strengthening Ørsted's expanding U.S. storage portfolio with a strategically located asset."

The New Blueprint for Renewable M&A

The transaction itself highlights an evolution in how renewable energy projects are developed and financed. The deal was brought to fruition by Ascend Analytics, whose AEX platform acted as a sophisticated marketplace connecting a seasoned developer with a global energy giant.

Ascend provided a suite of services including objective asset valuation, financial modeling, and market outlooks, effectively de-risking the project for Ørsted. This model allows developers like ESA to focus on their core competency: navigating the complex early stages of project development, from site selection and permitting to interconnection agreements.

"ESA has deep expertise in early-phase project development and its track record of partnering with tier one renewables and storage firms, like Ørsted, positions the Salzburg BESS project up to make substantial long-term contributions to Michigan's clean capacity goals," said Rahm Orenstein, Managing Director of the Ascend Energy Exchange. "Ascend is pleased to have provided the technical and transaction advisory services that helped bring this partnership together and set this project up for long term success."

ESA Solar Energy successfully navigated Michigan's new permitting framework under Public Act 233, securing a "first-of-its-kind" approval that accelerated the development timeline. This demonstrated ability to execute on the ground made the Salzburg project a highly attractive, shovel-ready asset.

"ESA has long focused on developing projects that combine strong fundamentals with permitting, and interconnection progress that means we actually can contribute to state and local energy needs in a timely manner," said Lindsay Latre, Co-founder and CEO of ESA. "Ørsted is the ideal partner to steward the Salzburg project through the next stage of its development and we are pleased to partner with them as we help to meet Michigan's energy and environmental goals."

Ørsted Deepens Its US Storage Portfolio

For Ørsted, the Salzburg acquisition is a clear signal of its deepening commitment to the North American energy storage market. While known primarily for its offshore wind developments, the Danish company has been methodically building a substantial onshore portfolio of solar and storage assets. This purchase reinforces a strategic pivot toward standalone battery systems, which offer flexibility and lucrative opportunities in capacity and ancillary service markets.

The move follows Ørsted's 2024 partnership with Mission Clean Energy to co-develop 1 GW of standalone battery storage projects across the US Midwest, marking its formal entry into the sector. The company already operates storage facilities paired with solar farms in Texas and Arizona, but the Michigan project strengthens its foothold in the MISO market, a region critical for its future growth.

By acquiring a fully permitted, strategically located project, Ørsted bypasses years of early-stage development risk and accelerates its ability to generate returns and contribute to grid stability. This disciplined approach—partnering with expert local developers to acquire high-quality assets—is central to its American expansion strategy as it aims to grow its global renewable capacity significantly in the coming years.

From Development Pipeline to Power Grid

With the acquisition complete, the focus now shifts to bringing the Salzburg BESS project online. The project is currently navigating the MISO interconnection queue as part of the 2023 study cycle, a process expected to conclude in 2026. Following final engineering, procurement, and construction, the facility is targeting a commercial operation date between 2029 and 2030.

ESA's involvement will not end with the sale. The company will continue to provide post-closing development services, ensuring a smooth transition and leveraging its local expertise to guide the project through its final pre-construction milestones. This continued partnership underscores the collaborative nature of modern energy development.

Once operational, the Salzburg project will have an expected lifecycle of up to 30 years, providing decades of reliable capacity to Michigan residents and businesses. Its successful development and acquisition serve as a powerful template for how ambitious policy, expert development, and strategic investment can converge to build the clean energy grid of the future.