Electricity demand in the Northwest is expected to grow more than 30% in the next decade, about triple the prediction three years ago, industry experts said in a report. The Goldendale Energy Storage Project will act like a large battery, storing excess energy for up to 12 hours and generating power when it’s needed most. The project’s strategic location along a major electricity transmission corridor allows it to connect seamlessly to existing infrastructure, ensuring reliable energy storage for generations to come.

The project is located entirely on privately owned lands within Klickitat County’s Energy Overlay Zone—a county designation aimed at streamlining and attracting energy development. With numerous wind farms in the region, excess wind power is often curtailed due to energy grid limitations. The Goldendale project would harness that energy for later use while bringing significant economic benefits to the region.

The Goldendale project will create more than 3,000 jobs over its construction period. Almost half of these are family-wage jobs in the building and construction trades, ranging from electricians to laborers to heavy-machinery operators.

The project will be built by union workers, guaranteeing safe working conditions and fair compensation. The project will also be an opportunity to train new apprentices, who will gain the experience needed to guarantee higher-wage jobs in the future.