Romania has unveiled a plan to significantly expand its battery energy storage systems (BESS) capacity, aiming to deploy at least 2.5 GW by next year and exceed 5 GW by 2026. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to manage high energy prices and enhance energy stability.
Energy Minister Sebastian Burduja announced the targets in alignment with recommendations from Transelectrica, the country's transmission system operator. Transelectrica's analysis indicates a need for a minimum of 4 GW of energy storage capacity in Romania.
The government has emphasized the importance of new investments in the BESS sector, with recent initiatives including non-refundable grants. Romania allocated EUR 80 million (USD 87 million) under its National Recovery and Resilience Plan to support an energy storage program designed to provide 1.8 GW of capacity. Contracts for submitted projects are expected to be finalized in September.
Further, the EU Modernization Fund is set to contribute up to EUR 300 million in 2024 and 2025 to support the addition of at least 3 GW of new energy storage capacity, according to Burduja.
