Ochoa Energy Storage LLC, a subsidiary of Vesper Energy, has filed an appeal with the Public Utilities Commission of Texas (PUC) regarding the Ochoa Energy Storage project, following nearly a full year of collaborative engagement with Katy city officials, according to a press release sent to the Katy Times on October 21.


“The appeal comes after Ochoa Energy Storage's good-faith efforts to find a pathway

through the local process were unsuccessful,” the release said. The company conducted multiple in-person meetings with city officials and made consistent efforts to reach a workable resolution through local channels before turning to the state regulatory authority, the release said.


The company has sought to place a 500-megawatt battery-energy storage system (BESS) in Katy for more than a year, on a site along Highway 90 near Katy High School where the company is still operating under an agreement with the landowners of the same industrial site in Katy. The company is not considering alternative locations, a company spokesperson said in an October 24 email interview with the Katy Times. “We previously relocated the site to accommodate the City of Katy’s feedback that the project needed to be located in the industrial zone and farther from housing,” said Lander Karath, Director of Community Affairs.


"We have worked diligently and respectfully with the Katy community to meet local needs

and provide stability to the Texas energy grid," said Karath in the press release. "Only after exhausting all reasonable local pathways did we proceed to the PUC,

which holds statutory jurisdiction over energy storage assets throughout Texas."


The Public Utilities Commission of Texas is the appropriate authority for evaluating

projects that contribute to the state's overall grid reliability and energy security. The PUC

has the necessary statewide perspective and specialized expertise to assess energy

infrastructure projects like Ochoa Energy Storage, which will serve the broader Texas grid.


“An appeal to the PUC follows the proper regulatory pathway and ensures that Ochoa

Energy Storage, a project critical to Texas's energy future, receives evaluation from the

authority with statutory jurisdiction over such assets,” the press release said.


Ochoa Energy Storage will provide much-needed stability and reliability to Texas's energy

Grid, the company maintains. The project will store energy during peak renewable generation and release it when demand is highest, ensuring steady, reliable power for Texans to turn on their TVs or air conditioning, regardless of whether the wind is blowing or the sun is shining.


“Texas leads the nation in energy production, and battery storage allows the state to fully

capitalize on this advantage by capturing excess energy and distributing it strategically

when communities need it most,” according to the press release. “If Ochoa Energy Storage had been operational during Winter Storm Uri in 2021, it could have provided emergency power to thousands of homes, demonstrating the real-world impact of strategic energy storage during critical situations.


Ochoa Energy Storage plans to deploy the most advanced battery storage technology

available, featuring multiple layers of fire protection, continuous monitoring, and

automatic shutdown systems. Vesper Energy's comprehensive safety approach includes

specialized training for local fire departments and full compliance with the latest fire codes

and industry standards.


"Our commitment to the Katy community remains strong," added Karath. "We look forward to working with the PUC to bring this important energy infrastructure project to fruition while continuing to prioritize safety and community needs."


City of Katy officials responded to news with brief statements to the Katy Times via email on October 24.


“The City is aware of Ochoa Energy Storage LLC's appeal to the Public Utilities Commission of Texas,” said Katy Mayor Dusty Thiele. “At this time, the City is working with its attorneys to prepare a response to the same. The City of Katy is committed to advocating for the best interest of its children and citizens in all matters.”


“The city is always committed to enforcing the zoning regulations and my top priority is the safety of residents and representation of constituent viewpoints,” said Katy Mayor Pro Tem Chris Harris. “I would reserve further comment as there appears to be litigation on the subject.”


Ochoa Energy plans to continue its community giving program and encourages interested organizations serving Katy residents to apply, Karath told the Katy Times. Ochoa Energy Storage named local nonprofit Society Prosper as the grant recipient for the second quarter of their Community Giving Program in August. The $1875.00 award will be used to provide financial assistance to children who have suffered from abuse and neglect and who are seeking therapy and counseling services, the company said.



About Ochoa Energy Storage

Ochoa Energy Storage is a proposed up to 500-megawatt Battery Energy Storage System

(BESS) project that will bring sustainable, reliable energy to support the Texas grid. This

project will be located in Katy on less than 10 acres of privately owned land,

directly next to an electrical substation and a major electrical corridor serving the residents of the Katy area. https://www.ochoaenergystorage.com/. Vesper Energy provides innovative solutions to today’s complex energy challenges. Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, Vesper Energy is led by professionals who have collectively delivered more than 10 GW of renewable energy projects globally. To learn more, go to https://vesperenergy.com