FPU cuts the ribbon on EV charging stations

Fayetteville, TN – It was a time of celebration Wednesday morning as Fayetteville Public Utilities (FPU) officially cut the ribbon on its electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. Representatives from FPU, the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and Seven States Power Corporation along with state and local officials gathered at 110 College Street West in downtown Fayetteville to celebrate the installation of 2 EV fast chargers.

FPU CEO/General Manager Britt Dye welcomed guests to the ribbon cutting to officially open the EV charging stations and to celebrate the utility’s entry into the Fast Charge Tennessee Network. As part of the network, the Fayetteville chargers will appear on maps EV drivers use to find nearby charging stations.

FPU partnered with TVA and TDEC as well as Seven States Power Corporation to install these charging stations and help ensure that Fayetteville is ready for the growth of electric transportation with public, fast charging infrastructure. Grant funding from TVA and TDEC made the charging stations possible with FPU contributing to the project as well.

When addressing the audience, FPU Chairman of the Board Russ Dixon commented, “I would like to thank TDEC and TVA for their partnership and vision in helping make the Fast Charge Network possible. I would also like to recognize the City of Fayetteville for their collaboration with FPU to secure this site and make this charging station a reality. I am proud of FPU for making this exciting addition to our city possible. Connecting Fayetteville to the Fast Charge Network is just one example of how the FPU team continues to keep our community at the forefront of innovation.”

“EVs are going to be around for a long time,” said Tennessee Speaker of the House Pro Tempore and Tennessee State Representative Pat Marsh. “I’m proud to see FPU, TDEC and TVA partner to do this in Fayetteville next to the square in such a wonderful location.”

Tennessee State Representative Clay Doggett remarked, “Owners of EVs plan their routes by where they can find places to charge. With this being on the map, it will be an exciting time for visitors that are coming into our communities. I guarantee that someone will enjoy a slaw burger for the first time because of this charging station. Congratulations to all involved who helped put this together.”

Seven States Power Corporation Director of Technology Alignment B.J. Bernard expressed his appreciation to those gathered, “Seven States is honored to be a part of this project with Fayetteville Public Utilities. We are excited about the TVA Fast Charge Network and congratulate FPU and local leaders who have helped support this project. This network is being deployed all over the Valley. There is a lot of work that goes into one of these projects . Thank you to the FPU team for your work here. This is a great looking site, and I commend you on that.”

According to TVA Community Relations Manager Chris Smith, “The Fast Charge Network will place public fast chargers like these at least every fifty miles across interstates and major highways in TVA’s 7 state area over the next 5 years. EVs will help move our local and regional economies forward in so many ways. This fast-charging site will serve local drivers and bring travelers into town to enjoy the amenities of Fayetteville while they refuel. EV chargers keep refueling dollars in our communities through local power companies like FPU. With projects like this one today, we are continuing in the spirit of innovation and our mission of service. Congratulations on this site.”

The station, capable of charging two vehicles at one time, is conveniently located in the public parking area near the square on College Street West. Designated EV-charging parking spaces denote the station and are clearly marked with signage.

“This new fast charging site does more than charge cars,” Dye commented. “It connects Fayetteville to the regional Fast Charge Network and plays an important role in preparing our region for the environmental and economic benefits of electric transportation. The public chargers will be utilized by those traveling through Fayetteville and will draw motorists to visit downtown shops and restaurants while their vehicles charge. It will create opportunities for local tourism as EV owners plan their roads trips to visit new destinations and enjoy towns they might not visit otherwise. These stations represent another way FPU works to serve our community.”

To learn more about the Fast Charge Network or locate EV charging stations on your travel route, visit https://energyright.com/ev/.

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Electric Board of Guntersville, City of Guntersville, and Seven States Power Corporation Unveil Battery Storage and EV Charging at Guntersville Senior Center

By Jessica Bradshaw • October 2, 2026

GUNTERSVILLE, AL — October 2, 2026 — Electric Board of Guntersville and the City of Guntersville, in partnership with Seven States Power Corporation, today celebrated the ribbon cutting and official unveiling of a new battery energy storage system (BESS) and two electric vehicle (EV) charging ports at the Guntersville Senior Center. The project represents an investment in reliability, emergency preparedness and modern energy infrastructure for the Guntersville community. The battery system is designed to provide backup power to the Senior Center during outages, helping the facility continue serving residents when reliable electricity is needed most. The addition of battery storage will also enable the Senior Center to meet critical emergency preparedness requirements for designation as a FEMA shelter, strengthening its ability to serve residents during severe weather and other emergency events. “This project is about putting innovative technology to work in a way that directly benefits the people we serve,” said Jason Kirkland, General Manager of Electric Board of Guntersville. “By adding battery storage and EV charging at the Senior Center, we are investing in infrastructure that supports reliability today while preparing our community for the needs of tomorrow.” The City of Guntersville partnered with Electric Board of Guntersville and Seven States to bring a 261kWh battery energy storage system (BESS) to the Senior Center, supporting an investment that strengthens the facility’s role as a vital community resource and enhances its ability to serve residents during emergencies. The battery unit will store energy during off-peak hours and be used as necessary to supply power to the facility during an outage or to deploy power for up to 2 hours back onto the Guntersville electric grid. The two new EV charging ports complement the battery installation by expanding access to charging infrastructure for residents and visitors. Together, the technologies demonstrate how community-scale energy projects can provide practical benefits while helping local power companies modernize infrastructure. “What makes this project special is its purpose. This battery is more than a piece of energy infrastructure, it provides another tool to help Guntersville care for its residents and keep an important community facility powered when it matters most,” said Guntersville Mayor Leigh Dollar. “Seven States was created to help local power companies turn opportunities like this into projects that deliver meaningful benefits in their communities,” said Betsey Kirk McCall, President & CEO of Seven States Power Corporation. The Guntersville project is part of Seven States’ broader work with local power companies across the Tennessee Valley to develop and finance energy infrastructure tailored to local needs.

Seven States Power Corporation Issues RFP for 220MW Energy Express Battery Storage Project

By Jessica Bradshaw • September 2, 2026

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — September 02, 2026 — Seven States Power Corporation has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) seeking a qualified provider to supply battery energy storage systems and a 20-year long-term service agreement for the Energy Express Project, a 220-megawatt battery storage initiative being developed in partnership with Memphis Light, Gas and Water (MLGW), Nashville Electric Service (NES), and BrightRidge. The competitive procurement represents another major milestone as Seven States advances one of the Tennessee Valley’s most significant investments in distribution-connected battery storage. The Energy Express Project will deploy battery energy storage across multiple locations in west, middle, and east Tennessee, including 100MW in partnership with MLGW, 100MW with NES, and 20MW with BrightRidge. Seven States will own and operate the assets, which will be interconnected with the local utilities’ distribution systems and designed to charge during lower-demand periods and discharge when demand is highest. The systems will provide the utility partners with greater operational flexibility while helping manage peak demand, strengthen reliability, and make more efficient use of existing grid infrastructure. “Moving into procurement marks an important step toward delivering these assets for our local power company partners and the communities they serve,” said Betsey Kirk McCall, President and CEO of Seven States Power Corporation. “Through Energy Express, we are combining federal financing, local partnerships and innovative energy technology to make a long-term investment in the Tennessee Valley’s electric infrastructure. This RFP will help us identify a partner capable not only of delivering the technology, but of supporting its performance and reliability throughout the life of the project.” The Energy Express Project is backed by Seven States’ $439 million award through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Utilities Service New Empowering Rural America (New ERA) program. Construction is expected to begin in 2027, with the battery assets targeted for commissioning in late 2028. Interested respondents can access the RFP and additional procurement information at https://www.sevenstatespower.com/rfp-inquiry.

Dickson Electric System and Seven States Power Corporation Celebrate New EV Charging Station

By Jessica Bradshaw • August 4, 2026

DICKSON, Tenn. — August 4, 2026 — Dickson Electric System, in partnership with Seven States Power Corporation (Seven States), on Tuesday celebrated the official opening of 2 new DC Fast Charge electric vehicle (EV) charging ports that will expand charging access for residents and travelers while supporting continued economic growth throughout the region. Community leaders, elected officials, utility representatives, and project partners gathered for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to commemorate the investment. The new DC Fast Charge EV charging ports mark another exciting step forward in advancing regional transportation infrastructure that will expand convenient charging options for residents and visitors throughout the community. “This project represents our commitment to providing reliable, forward-looking infrastructure that serves our customers both today and in the future,” said Darrell Gillespie, General Manager of Dickson Electric System. “As electric vehicle adoption continues to grow, investments like these help ensure our communities remain connected and ready for what’s next.” The charging ports are part of broader efforts to expand EV infrastructure throughout the Tennessee Valley, providing drivers with increased confidence and accessibility as electric transportation continues to grow. The project was made possible through funds supplied through the TN Fast Charge Network which is a statewide EV charging initiative developed by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) and Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) to place chargers every 50 miles along major highways. “Seven States is proud to partner with Dickson Electric to bring this project to life,” said Betsey Kirk McCall, President & CEO of Seven States. “Together, we’re helping local utilities meet evolving energy needs while creating lasting value for the communities they serve.” The charging stations will be available for use beginning August 4, 2026. They are located at 210 East College Street, Dickson, TN.