Trinity Energy project takes Florida Costco distribution center off-grid
Costco Wholesale’s distribution center in Port St. Lucie, Florida is completely off the Sunshine State’s electrical grid as of July 28, according to officials from energy solutions firm Trinity Energy.
The new project is the latest in a line of collaborations between Costco and Trinity Energy, representatives say, as the superstore’s Mira Loma and Ontario, California distribution centers saw solar and storage pre-commissioning in late 2025. The Port St. Lucie project encompasses solar and storage for all building equipment, lighting, refrigeration, and EV charging in a bid to “shatter the status quo” of commercial solar.
“As our operations continue to grow, it’s important that we expand responsibly and act as a good partner to the communities we serve,” says Shay Reed, AGMM and certified energy manager at Costco Wholesale. “By investing in this integrated on-site energy system, we strengthen the reliability of our Port St. Lucie facility while avoiding additional burden on the utility grid. This approach supports our continued growth, reduces strain on the broader grid during peak demand, and helps preserve energy resources for the surrounding community.”
The energy independence solution combines Costco’s solar, battery, and fleet charging activities into one integrated platform, according to Trinity Energy. That platform is capable of enough power generation to ensure energy reliability around the clock for all critical applications, including data centers.
Data collected from Costco’s platform will allow Trinity to oversee corporation-wide energy usage patterns, the company says. The firm claims this analytical approach will offer even further energy savings than were already present.
Writing the book on energy independence
The Trinity Energy integrated system will allow large facilities to break free from reliance on grid-provided energy, and generate and manage their own power. Specifically, the companies say that the Costco system provides a replicable model for large entities to take control of their energy usage.
“The project will inspire greater commitment and support from communities around the country to ease grid capacity through meaningful behind the meter clean energy development efforts like this one,” says Ime Ntekpere, energy buyer at Costco Wholesale.
The company says the Costco distribution centers have been a perfect testing ground, proving powering large facilities is not only feasible, but practical. The firm aims to offer “a clear path forward” for companies looking to control costs and reduce energy-related risks, in an era of increasing concerns around inclement weather and grid reliability.
“Kudos to Costo Energy for having the vision to invest in a forward-looking solution that will reap benefits year-round,” says Gonzalo Stabile, VP of design and engineering at Trinity Energy. “For a distribution center of this scale, uninterrupted power is essential to maintain inventory integrity, logistics flow, and overall operational efficiency. Our independent on-site energy infrastructure enables businesses to maintain continuity during grid disruptions, better manage peak demand, and stabilize long-term energy costs.”
