New Facility to Lower Costs, Support Climate Goals, and Enhance Reliable Power for RMLD Customers
READING, MA – Reading Municipal Light Department (“RMLD”) officially commissioned the River Park Energy Storage System at 500 Riverpark Drive, North Reading, on May 13, 2025, with a ribbon cutting and networking event. Local legislators, town officials, and industry partners were in attendance to celebrate this important milestone for RMLD customers.
The River Park Energy Storage system will improve RMLD’s grid resiliency and provide peak demand reduction. Peak demand reduction helps decrease RMLD’s transmission and capacity costs, which represent nearly 40% of the RMLD cost structure. This 10 MW system will also support RMLD’s ongoing climate initiatives, reducing reliance on high-emitting peaking power plants during times of highest demand, so that RMLD is better equipped for a non-carbon future.
“The current energy market is fluid and dynamic. RMLD proactively seeks innovative solutions. Adding more energy storage within RMLD territory provides added control over peak demand and supports system reliability. RMLD is working on an additional 10MW system slated for 2026 and further exploring longer-duration systems for the future.” says Gregory J. Phipps, general manager of RMLD.
The River Park Energy Storage System is the third RMLD energy storage facility in our territory and boasts a 10 MW capacity and a half-acre footprint on the Teradyne campus. State-of-the-art safety features include fire detection and suppression systems, an onsite Knox Box, and a 24-hour monitored fire alarm system.
This energy storage system embodies the RMLD commitment to innovative energy strategies and to taking clear action in a dynamic energy market. RMLD collaborated with Kearsarge Energy to bring this innovative project to life. The partnership between Kearsarge Energy, RMLD, Teradyne, and local entities such as the North Reading Fire Department contributed to the efficiency and expediency of this vital project.
“Kearsarge Energy is pleased to collaborate with RMLD to construct and operate a 10MW/20 MWh Energy Storage System that is a unique clean energy solution for reducing transmission and capacity costs without affecting reliability. RMLD and the town of North Reading, and Teradyne, as site host, have all been excellent partners for the last three years and we are pleased to complete this project now — when both energy costs and demand are projected to increase sharply,” said Andrew Bernstein, managing partner at Kearsarge Energy.
Among those in attendance to mark this milestone were key state legislators Senator Bruce Tarr, North Reading; Representative Richard Haggerty, Reading; Representative Brad Jones, Lynnfield, North Reading, Reading; Representative David Robertson, Wilmington; and Legislative Aide Amari Gaston representing Senator Brendan Crighton, Lynnfield. RMLD was presented with official citations from both the Massachusetts Senate and Massachusetts House of Representatives to commemorate this significant resource launch.
“The Reading Municipal Light Department’s new River Park Energy Storage System in North Reading is a powerful example of innovation driving progress,” said Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-North Reading). “This new facility is proof positive that municipal light departments can move our state’s clean energy agenda forward, with benefits including shaving costs during peak demand periods and making power from renewable energy sources consistently available.”
“The River Park Energy Storage System is an innovative solution that lowers costs for customers and supports climate sustainability goals,” said Senator Brendan Crighton (D-Lynnfield). “Along with my colleagues, I’m proud to support projects that look to the future of the energy landscape while maintaining affordable cost of services.”
“The Reading Municipal Light Department has a long history of providing safe and reliable service to meet the energy needs of its customers in Reading, North Reading, Lynnfield Center and Wilmington,” said House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-Lynnfield, North Reading, Reading). “The new River Park Energy Storage System will further enhance the RMLD’s ability to continue to offer dependable and competitively priced electricity to its customers during peak demand periods while also expanding its efforts to promote the use of more environmentally friendly, non-carbon-based energy sources.”
“This energy storage project represents an important investment in our region’s energy infrastructure,” said Representative Richard Haggerty (D-Reading). “RMLD continues to demonstrate foresight by addressing our current energy needs and planning for tomorrow’s challenges. It’s projects like this that help increase grid reliability, reduce costs for residents and businesses while increasingly storing clean energy for our communities. It’s great to see RMLD, Kearsarge Energy, and local stakeholders come together, showcasing how collaborative efforts can deliver real solutions that benefit all residents across the communities RMLD serves.”
Since 1894, RMLD has been a beacon of energy innovation and excellence. RMLD’s leadership in public power persists as it continues to exceed the Commonwealth’s electrification goals and successfully serves the communities of Lynnfield Center, North Reading, Reading, and Wilmington, with reliable, low-cost, and increasingly non-carbon energy.
About Reading Municipal Light Department
Established in 1894, Reading Municipal Light Department (RMLD) is a municipal electric utility serving over 70,000 residents in Reading, North Reading, Wilmington, and Lynnfield Center, Massachusetts. RMLD is the largest of the 41 municipal light departments in Massachusetts based on electricity load, is not-for-profit and is locally owned and controlled. The RMLD is committed to serving our customers with reliable, low-cost, and increasingly non-carbon energy. For more information visit: rmld.com
About Kearsarge Energy
Kearsarge Energy is a full-service renewable energy developer committed to building a more sustainable world. Kearsarge Energy specializes in developing and managing high-quality solar and energy storage projects, combining technical expertise with innovative financing solutions. With a focus on long-term value, they strive to create lasting benefits for communities, partners, and all project stakeholders.
