Item 8 Passed 10-0

Item 8 — Thursday, April 23, 2026

In plain language — from agenda source text

Council is weighing a deal that would let Austin Energy tap up to 40 megawatts of battery storage from Base Power, Inc.'s network of distribution-scale battery facilities. Battery storage helps the utility lean on stored power when demand spikes or the grid gets stressed, which matters for keeping the lights on in a fast-growing city. The agreement could run up to 10 years for an estimated total of up to $40,800,000 — about $4,080,000 a year — with $4,080,000 already set aside in Austin Energy's 2025-2026 budget and the rest depending on future budgets.

How it affects me: If you use Austin Energy, this item lists $4,080,000 per year.

Current official agenda wording

Authorize negotiation and execution of a battery storage agreement with Base Power, Inc., for up to 40 megawatts of electric power capacity from a distribution-scale battery facility portfolio, in an estimated amount of up to $4,080,000 per year, for a term up to 10 years, for a total estimated amount of up to $40,800,000. Funding: $4,080,000 is available in the 2025-2026 Operating Budget of Austin Energy. Funding for the remaining contract term is contingent upon available funding in future budgets.

environment

The roll call

City of Austin headshots stay on the council page. The City's terms allow personal use of austintexas.gov images, so this roll call shows initials.

Approved on Consent 10-0

Member records (11)