Ørsted Acquires 150‑MW Salzburg Battery Project from ESA for Michigan 2029‑30 Launch

**Ørsted has bought the 150‑megawatt Salzburg battery storage project in Michigan from ESA, targeting commercial operation between 2029 and 2030. The acquisition supports Michigan’s push toward a 60% renewable portfolio standard by 2035.

Michigan utilities are seeking storage to balance growing renewable generation and meet load growth. The Salzburg project has already cleared permitting and made progress on interconnection, positioning it to serve local offtake needs.

Ascend Energy Exchange acted as exclusive advisor to ESA in the transaction, highlighting the project’s maturity after years of development by ESA, which has been active in Michigan and the north MISO region since 2017.

ESA sold the 150‑MW Salzburg BESS to Ørsted, confirming the transfer of ownership and development rights. The facility is designed to provide up to 150 MW of discharge power with associated energy capacity to support grid stability.

Lindsay Latre, co‑founder and CEO of ESA, said the company focuses on projects with strong fundamentals and permitting progress, and that Ørsted is the ideal partner to advance the Salzburg project and help meet Michigan’s energy and environmental goals.

James Giamarino, Ørsted Americas chief commercial officer, noted that the acquisition fits Ørsted’s strategic growth ambitions, adds to its U.S. storage pipeline, and strengthens its portfolio with a strategically located asset.

For Ørsted, the deal expands its U.S. storage footprint and provides a resource that can help Michigan utilities integrate more wind and solar while maintaining reliability.

For Michigan, the project contributes toward the state’s 60% renewable target by 2035 and the 100% clean energy goal by 2040, offering dispatchable capacity that can respond to peak demand and renewable variability.

Watch for upcoming milestones: final interconnection agreements, construction start, and potential offtake contracts with Michigan utilities as the project moves toward its 2029‑30 commercial operation date.