PG&E Delays Elkhorn Battery Storage Restart to June 2026

Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) has announced a significant delay in the recommissioning of the Elkhorn battery energy storage system (BESS), now set for June 30, 2026. This decision follows the automatic shutdown of the 182.5 MW/730 MWh facility, which is located near the fire-affected Moss Landing Energy Storage Facility in California.

The Elkhorn BESS, which is the only battery storage system owned by PG&E, utilizes Tesla Megapacks for its operations. PG&E has previously contracted other battery projects, including the Moss Landing facility, which is managed by Vistra Energy. In a statement, PG&E confirmed that they began returning the Elkhorn system’s batteries to service on June 1, 2025, as part of a planned restart.

During the testing phase, PG&E identified a clamp failure and coolant leak in one of the 256 Megapacks on site. Fortunately, there were no injuries or incidents of power outages, smoke, or fire linked to these issues. Tesla, the supplier and maintainer of the BESS, is currently assessing the failed components and developing an inspection and repair plan. PG&E has indicated that it estimates the Elkhorn system will remain electrically disconnected from the grid until all necessary repairs are concluded.

Commitment to Safety and Communication

PG&E has emphasized its commitment to safety throughout this process. The company stated, “With the exception of connecting to maintain at or near a minimum state of charge, the Elkhorn system will remain electrically disconnected from the grid in a safe, idle state until the necessary repairs are completed.”

The utility is actively engaging with local stakeholders to provide updates on the repairs and the adjusted timeline for recommissioning. PG&E has pledged to keep the community informed about the progress of the work and any changes to the anticipated restart date.

In September 2022, PG&E and Tesla faced scrutiny over an incident related to the installation of deflagration vent shield panels at the Elkhorn site. However, both companies have since addressed the situation effectively. An assessment by the Energy Safety Response Group (ESRG) confirmed the resolution of the installation issue, and both PG&E and Tesla have continued to monitor air and water quality during the ongoing cleanup processes.

As the energy landscape continues to evolve, the delay in the Elkhorn BESS recommissioning highlights the challenges utilities face in ensuring both operational efficiency and public safety. PG&E remains focused on rectifying the issues at Elkhorn while maintaining open lines of communication with the community and stakeholders involved.