Tesla Inc. CEO Elon Musk has denied any involvement of the company’s Megapack energy storage product in a fire that broke out at a 750 MW Moss Landing battery storage facility. The fire, which occurred on Thursday, led to evacuation orders for areas around the facility.
Details of the Incident
Musk took to social media to clarify that the fire has nothing to do with Tesla and that their Megapacks are operating well. He also stated that media reports alleging otherwise are false. The fire reportedly started at 3 p.m., prompting the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office to issue evacuation orders for areas around the facility.
Evacuation Orders
The evacuation orders were issued for areas of Moss Landing South of the Elkhorn Slough, North of Molera Rd and Monterey Dunes Way, and West of Castroville Blvd and ElkHorn Rd. to the ocean. The affected zones include MRY-B037, MRY-B047, and MRY-B050.
Facility Operator
The battery facility in question is operated by Vistra Energy, an integrated retail electricity and power generation company based in Irving, Texas. It is worth noting that Pacific Gas & Electric’s Elkhorn battery facility, located nearby, houses a Megapack system that caught fire in 2022. However, Musk has confirmed that the recent fire is not related to Tesla.
Megapack Energy Storage
Megapack is a powerful battery manufactured by Tesla, with each unit capable of storing over 3.9 Megawatt-hours of energy. This is enough to power an average of 3,600 homes for an hour.
Response from Vistra Energy
Vistra Energy has not immediately responded to requests for comment on the status of the fire.
Conclusion
The incident highlights the importance of accurate reporting and the need to verify information before jumping to conclusions. As the investigation into the fire continues, it is essential to rely on credible sources and avoid spreading misinformation.