Compass Energy Storage Project BESS Facility
UPDATE: CITY OF SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO CONFIRMS NO PATH FORWARD FOR BATTERY STORAGE PROJECT AT SADDLEBACK CHURCH SITE
Click here to view the City of San Juan Capistrano press release issued December 23, 2025.
On December 22, 2025, the Project Applicant sent a letter to the California Energy Commission (CEC) requesting the suspension of review of the application. The suspension would allow the Applicant to evaluate alternative sites in order to improve the economic viability of the Project.
A BESS facility collects energy from the grid, stores it, and then discharges it to provide electricity, typically at times of high demand.
The approximately 13-acre project site is currently owned by Saddleback Church and is located within the northern portion of the City of San Juan Capistrano, adjacent to Camino Capistrano and Interstate-5 to the east.
Engie North America LLC (the “Applicant”) is proposing to construct, operate, and maintain a BESS facility that would be capable of storing up to 250 megawatts (MW) of electricity for four hours (up-to 1,000 MW hours).
Example Image of a 139MW Battery Energy Storage System Facility located in Valley Center, CA.
The proposed Compass Energy Storage Project would be composed of lithium-iron phosphate batteries, or similar technology batteries, inverters, medium-voltage transformers, a switchyard, a collector substation, and other associated equipment to interconnect into the existing San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) Trabuco to Capistrano 138-kilovolt transmission line located approximately 500 feet from the project site and approximately 90 feet from the project property. The project would connect to the SDG&E electric transmission system via a proposed loop-in transmission line that would be constructed to transfer power to and from the proposed project. The loop-in transmission line would be supported by the replacement of two existing transmission poles and construction of one new transmission pole. Electric energy would be transferred from the existing power grid to the project batteries for storage and from the project batteries to the power grid when additional electricity is needed. Following construction, Compass Energy Storage, LLC will be the owner of the battery storage site and the SDG&E switchyard site will be deeded to SDG&E.
In December 2021, the City received entitlement applications and a letter of intent from the Applicant requesting to establish a commercial BESS facility on an undeveloped portion of the Saddleback Church Rancho Capistrano property. In order for the project to move forward, amendments to the property’s Zoning designation were required. In November 2022, the City Council denied the Applicant’s requested Rezone study, thereby preventing the project from moving forward. Following City Council denial, the Applicant informed City staff of its intention to bypass the City approval process and pursue State approval via the California Energy Commission (“CEC”), as allowed under recent State legislation designed to expedite the construction of renewable energy projects. In February 2024, the Applicant formally withdrew its City applications.
The Applicant is foregoing the City review process and instead pursing State approval via the CEC, as allowed under Assembly Bill (AB) 205. In 2022, AB 205 established a new streamlined Opt-in Certification process for clean energy projects through the CEC, including energy storage systems. Upon receipt of an application, the CEC has the exclusive authority to certify the site and related facility. Essentially, cities are cut out of the approval process. The CEC is the lead agency under the California Environmental Quality Act and is required to prepare an environmental impact report. Additionally, public hearings are required to be held within close proximity to the project site.
In a letter dated April 18, 2024, the CEC provided notice to the City of the CEC’s receipt of an opt-in application for the Compass Battery Energy Storage project (24-OPT-02). Documents which comprise the opt-in application and public comments on the application can be accessed via the project webpage at the following link: https://efiling.energy.ca.gov/Lists/DocketLog.aspx?docketnumber=24-OPT-02
BESS facilities raise unique considerations with regard to public safety, emergency management and environmental resources. For example, there have been several fires at commercial BESS facilities both in California and nationwide. The proposed location of the Applicant’s project is near established residential neighborhoods in San Juan Capistrano and downslope of several hundred homes in Laguna Niguel. Furthermore, the project is adjacent to Oso Creek, which is an environmentally sensitive watercourse that flows to the ocean. Should a fire occur at the proposed commercial BESS site, fire extinguishing compounds used to combat the fire (either from the ground or air) would have the potential of entering the creek and significantly impairing water quality and native flora and fauna.
At its March 18, 2025, meeting, the City Council adopted an interim ordinance (Ordinance No. 1124) to extend, for the second time, the City’s temporary prohibition on new commercial energy storage systems within the city, through April 1, 2026. While this interim ordinance is in effect, the City intends to study and consider the level of risk and degree of regulation needed to protect the community’s health, safety, and general welfare and consider land use development policies and standards related to BESS facilities that could be added to the City’s General Plan and Zoning Regulations. It is important to note that the City’s recent moratorium does not prevent the Applicant from pursuing the project through the state approval process. On June 3, 2025, the City Council adopted a resolution expressing the City's formal stance of opposition to the project based on public safety and environmental concerns.
The City has also engaged with the CEC on the Applicant’s opt-in application. Staff offered comments on the project and the CEC process via letter dated May 10, 2024. Further, the City Attorney’s office filed, via letters dated May 31, 2024, an Objection to CEC Jurisdiction over the Project and a Standing Reservation of Rights. Most recently, the City Attorney's office, on March 28, 2025, filed a letter expressing concern on the Applicant's community benefits plan, specifically on the legal inadequacy of the plan and misrepresentations made by the Applicant. The City will continue to remain engaged throughout the CEC process.
To stay informed about this project and receive notice of upcoming public meetings, sign up to the project subscription, which can be accessed on the CEC’s project webpage. Once enrolled, automatic email notifications are sent when documents and notices are posted. https://www.energy.ca.gov/powerplant/battery-storage-system/compass-energy-storage-project
To review submitted correspondence on the project, as well as the Applicant’s submittal documents, click on: https://efiling.energy.ca.gov/Lists/DocketLog.aspx?docketnumber=24-OPT-02
To submit your own comments, click on: https://efiling.energy.ca.gov/Ecomment/Ecomment.aspx?docketnumber=24-OPT-02
PROJECT MANAGER: Renee Longman
STEPsiting@energy.ca.gov
(Please enter project name in the email subject line)
916-937-3538
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION QUESTIONS: Public Advisor
publicadvisor@energy.ca.gov
916-957-7910
MEDIA INQUIRIES: Media & Public Communications Office
mediaoffice@energy.ca.gov
916-654-4989
Brett Kotrba (Property Owner Representative)
Director of Operations
Saddleback Church
brettk@saddleback.com
Renee L. Robin, J.D. (Applicant Representative)
Director, Permitting & Planning
ENGIE North America
renee.robin@engie.com