September 23, 2025
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Prime Batteries expanding battery storage manufacturing capacity in Romania

Prime Batteries Technology started the works on multiplying the capacity of its battery storage factory in Bucharest, despite the deteriorating prospects for its industry segment in Romania. Czechia-based Tesla Group has given up on a manufacturing facility project worth almost EUR 100 million, even with state aid approved. The government’s renegotiation of a funding package with the European Union resulted in erasing EUR 150 million in grants.

Prime Batteries Technology or PBT got a major investor on board and launched the works on the expansion of its factory in Romania. Earlier this month, the company obtained the building permit for boosting the capacity in Bucharest to 8.5 GWh per year from the current 2.5 GWh, Chief Executive Officer Vicențiu Ciobanu revealed at a conference organized by Energynomics.

Prime Batteries expects to grow its operational portfolio to 226 MWh this month. The facilities are within existing renewable electricity plants – mainly photovoltaics. The company expects to deliver another 152 MWh in the same segment and another 227.8 MWh in standalone battery energy storage systems (BESS) before the end of 2025.

The rest of the 800 MWh target for this year is due by the end of March. PBT also manufactures batteries for electric vehicles, industrial production and electricity grids.

Private equity firm T2Y steps in, confident in manufacturing investment bet

Prime Batteries has just welcomed private equity firm T2Y on board. According to the announcement, their goal is to surpass 8 GWh in annual capacity by 2030. T2Y became the second-largest shareholder, while Prime Batteries Technology’s Founder Adrian Polec controls the largest stake, Handelsblatt reported.

The company has a supply chain independent of China, T2Y’s Founder Patrick Bettscheider pointed out. He noted that PBT’s machines are Korean while the suppliers are Japanese, Korean and European.

The battery manufacturer has also agreed a partnership with Monsson for the development of projects for 1.07 GWh of storage capacity in Romania and Europe. In addition, Prime Batteries introduced a battery-as-a-service (BaaS) offer for the commercial and industrial segment.

Tesla Group backs out with major loss as EU fails to address Chinese subsidies

Launching the construction of another factory occurred at a hard time for investors in battery manufacturing in the country, but also Europe.

Tesla Group from the Czech Republic recently canceled a project in Romania estimated at almost EUR 100 million, including EUR 39.4 million in state aid. The company acknowledged that it already spent EUR 10 million before the pullout: on land in Brăila for the planned factory, technology, procurement and tenders.

Among other headwinds, Tesla Group cited the significant decline BESS equipment prices and the bankruptcy of major players

Namely, the situation worsened in June 2024 as global competition intensified, Tesla Group stressed, as quoted by Profit.ro. It cited “heavily subsidized Chinese manufacturers” together with “the lack of effective trade protection policies at the EU level,” the significant decline in prices of BESS and the bankruptcy of major players such as Northvolt in Sweden.

The Czech firm said it has become “impossible to sustain or expand battery production operations in Europe.”

Lyten, headquartered in the United States, agreed in July to take over Northvolt.

Romania folds plan to make BESS manufacturing its strategic sector

On top of it all, Romania has lost EUR 150 million in EU grants for battery production, assembly and recycling, according to a document from the Ministry of Energy that the same media outlet saw. The sum was from the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP or, in Romanian, PNRR), which the government is renegotiating with the administration in Brussels.

Two beneficiaries have requested that their funding contracts be canceled. The ministry will scrap another three, the article reads.

Notably, several contracts for hydrogen production and manufacturing facilities for solar panels have been suspended. Financial support for two cogeneration plants was reduced. Greece, Bulgaria and Romania have been breaching deadlines for reforms and procedures for EU subsidies for batteries, but also other investments essential for the energy transition.

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September 23, 2025
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YESS Power set to commission Western Balkans’ first large battery energy storage system

YESS Power said that in November it plans to commission a 60 MW battery energy storage system (BESS) in North Macedonia. The Turkey-based contractor is installing the facility for Mey Energy at the site of the client’s solar power plant in Novaci. It would be the first large BESS and hybrid power plant in the region.

While the Western Balkans still doesn’t host any utility-scale BESS, giant leaps forward are seen in North Macedonia. Fortis Energy intends to expand its Oslomej solar power plant with one such facility, while Zen Energy Group has started the installation of a hybrid energy plant of the same kind. In addition, Turkey-based engineering, procurement, installation, and commissioning contractor YESS Power is spearheading the project for the addition of a BESS to the Novaci photovoltaic plant.

When Mey Energy put the 55 MW solar park into operation two years ago, it was the biggest in the said region. Now YESS Power, in cooperation with battery manufacturer Cubenergy from China, is installing a BESS of 60 MW at the site for the client.

With the commissioning date scheduled for November, it is about to become the first large battery energy storage facility in North Macedonia and the Western Balkans.

Novaci was the biggest PV park in the region when it was built in 2023

YESS Power, Topkapı Endüstri’s new brand, is responsible for engineering, installation, technical services and maintenance of the battery segment of the future hybrid power plant.

Mey Energy’s Novaci solar power plant spans 57 hectares. It generates 85 GWh per year, equivalent to the electricity demands of 30,000 households in the country. Notably, the PV system is next to the open pit coal mines of the REK Bitola energy complex, which includes a thermal power plant.

YESS Power said it specializes in scalable, secure, turnkey energy storage solutions for solar plants, industrial facilities, grid support and microgrids. It revealed that the current project marks the beginning of a “a broader strategic partnership in the Turkish and Eastern European markets” with Cubenergy.

In the wider Southeastern European region, Romania, Bulgaria and Turkey are massively adding BESS capacity. The remaining countries remain slow with administrative changes, planning and investment.

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September 23, 2025
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Fortis Energy preparing to build solar-battery hybrid power plant in Serbia

Fortis Energy has obtained a construction permit for a solar park of 270 MW on the territory of the city of Sremska Mitrovica in Serbia, Mayor Branislav Nedimović said. The company plans to include a battery energy storage system (BESS) of 36 MWh.

Turkey-based Fortis Energy bought a solar power project in Serbia last year, which would have a 180 MW grid connection. At the time, the company announced that it also planned a battery energy storage system of 36 MWh. Chief Operational Officer Velimir Gavrilović said in May, at Belgrade Energy Forum (BEF 2025) that the projects Noćaj 1 and Noćaj 2 are nearing a ready-to-build status.

After his recent meeting with the representatives of Fortis Energy, Mayor of Sremska Mitrovica Branislav Nedimović said the company has obtained a construction permit for the solar park. The transmission permit is expected within three months, and the works are beginning in the spring, he revealed. Sremska Mitrovica is a city west of Belgrade.

The location is on private land just south of the river Sava, toward Drenovac village in the Mačva area, Nedimović asserted. He said the solar power plant’s capacity would be 270 MW.

Fortis Energy received a construction permit for a proposed solar park across the river from Sremska Mitrovica

In May, the company signed a contract for the connection of its planned solar park Erdevik in Šid, a municipality bordering Sremska Mitrovica. The plan is to install 110 MW in peak capacity, with a BESS system of 31.2 MWh.

The developer and engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor is working on wind power projects Vranje, Gornjak and Juhor.

The company has five biogas facilities in Serbia of 21 MW altogether.

Last year in North Macedonia, Fortis Energy commissioned a photovoltaic plant of 79.9 MW in peak capacity in Oslomej in North Macedonia. The grid capacity is 68.7 MW.

The company said in February that it contracted the construction of a BESS of 62 MW at the same location. It opted for lithium ion batteries of 104 MWh in total capacity, which means that they can run at full power for two hours.

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September 23, 2025
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Romania risks blackouts if it shuts coal plants as scheduled

Minister of Energy Bogdan Ivan claims that energy poverty or even blackouts could hit Romania if it proceeds with the closure of coal plants. Namely, the gas power projects for replacing them are suffering severe delays.

The European Commission has become flexible for the first time in the last four years, said Romania’s Minister of Energy Bogdan-Gruia Ivan. He has asked for a postponement of the deadline for shutting down a group of coal power plants.

They need to be closed by the end of the year. If the coal plants, run by state-owned Complexul Energetic Oltenia (CE Oltenia) go before gas power plants Iernut and Mintia are commissioned, Romania is jeopardized, according to the minister.

Ivan told Digi24.ro he was negotiating with the European Commission on delaying the closure by “a few months.” Romgaz decided last week to cancel the contract with Duro Felguera, the contractor for the Iernut facility.

Energy poverty risk increasing

A study conducted with Romania’s transmission system operator Transelectrica has shown that Romania can otherwise end up in energy poverty and even risk a blackout, he underscored. “Especially in the winter, when we have no solar, when we have no wind power,” Minister Ivan explained.

Furthermore, Romania would like to keep three large coal units and another two in technical reserve for replacement them in case of damage, Ivan revealed. It would ensure a 1 GW minimum coal power supply, he asserted.

Romania requires at least 1 GW in baseload energy from coal for two more years, according to Minister Bogdan Ivan

Simulations showed that the group would need to operate for two years more, at least, until Iernut and Mintia are completed.

“We are pressed for time. We need to conclude contracts for next year. We need to conclude contracts for energy supply, contracts with suppliers, coal stocks. It is a complex of factors that must be organized very well from now on. It is already late, for Romania and for our energy companies,” Ivan stated.

Gas power projects in constant delay

Additionally, gas power plants Turceni (475 MW) and Ișalnița (850 MW) are supposed to replace some of the capacity in the Oltenia complex. The two projects suffered constant delays. The deadlines in the tenders for construction have been pushed back to September 30 and November 14, respectively.

Romania has received billions of euros from the European Union for gas power plants to substitute coal, the minister noted separately. He acknowledged that the projects are still on paper. That’s why today Romanians have almost the highest electricity price in Europe, Ivan claimed.

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September 22, 2025
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Serbia in talks with Rosatom on nuclear power plant project

Serbian authorities and Rosatom have begun talks on the nuclear power plant construction project, according to the Ambassador of Serbia to Russia Momčilo Babić.

Serbia recently completed the preliminary technical study on the peaceful use of nuclear energy in the country. However, the country is still a long way away from the potential construction of a nuclear power plant, according to Minister of Mining and Energy of Serbia Dubravka Đedović Handanović.

So far, Serbia has established contacts or started cooperation on nuclear energy with China, France, Russia, Slovenia, South Korea, and the United States.

Serbia is seriously discussing the issue with Rosatom, the country’s Ambassador to Russia Momčilo Babić told Izvestia.

Babić: There’s no better company than Rosatom

He underlined that there’s no better company in the world to build a nuclear power plant. Babić is confident that there will be progress in the coming years, as he argues that Serbia needs electricity. The country will “do it anyway,” the ambassador added.

According to Igor Yushkov, an expert at the Financial University and the National Energy Security Fund, it is possible that Russia will also provide Belgrade with a preferential loan, in line with its standard practice.

Nuclear energy is experiencing a global renaissance, and the states created after the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia fell apart in the early 1990s are no exception.

US-based nuclear power startup Aalo has begun the construction of an extra-modular reactor, a type of modular reactor, which could introduce big changes in the sector.

Everyone wants to build a nuclear power plant

As for Europe, Germany has changed its mind on nuclear energy in the continent, agreeing with France to work together on shaping a common European energy policy. The strategy would include nuclear power as a low-carbon energy source.

Slovenian authorities are developing the Krško 2 project. A few days ago, news emerged that the country sent an official proposal to Croatia to jointly build the facility. However, Slovenia denied that it has made such an offer.

Croatia, on the other hand, reiterated that it is interested in building a nuclear power plant on its territory.

Serbia has recently signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in the field of nuclear energy with South Korean company Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power.

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September 22, 2025
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Maglizh solar power plant of 161 MW in Bulgaria enters commercial operation

Maglizh solar park in central Bulgaria has begun commercial operation, according to 360 Energy, which has built it in partnership with the majority shareholders of Eurohold (Evrohold). The facility has 160.5 MW in peak capacity. A project to add batteries is underway.

Bulgaria’s photovoltaic capacity is growing rapidly while the battery storage segment and other energy storage solutions are picking up speed. One of the biggest solar power plants, Maglizh, has just entered regular operation, 360 Energy said.

The company built the facility in parthership with the majority shareholders of Eurohold (Evrohold). Their project firm is called Belozem Solar Park 2. The project has overcome complex issues from permitting to environmental protection.

Maglizh spans 127 hectares at the foot of Mt. Stara planina in central Bulgaria. It has 160.5 MW in peak capacity.

The partners have built the grid connection facilities and handed them over to ESO

The facility cost EUR 100 million to build, according to earlier updates, of which the grid segment amounted to more than EUR 10 million. The connection facilities belong to Electricity System Operator (ESO), the country’s transmission system operator.

Bulgarian-German company Sunotec was the main contractor, under a turnkey deal. It also manufactured the metal structures for the solar panels.

Green Solar Energy was responsible for two overhead power lines and the reconstruction of another one and a substation. The companies partly covered the investment with a syndicated loan. They obtained it from UniCredit Bulbank Raiffeisen Bank International and United Bulgarian Bank Postbank (Eurobank Bulgaria).

Colocated BESS system to be completed in March

The PV plant in the municipality of Maglizh is on municipal land grade 9 and 10, the lowest levels on the agricultural scale. The project firm obtained the rights for 30 years and paid a one-off fee.

Eurohold’s subsidiary Electrohold is responsible for the sale of electricity, according to 360 Energy.

The solar park consists of Jinko Solar’s panels. The company revealed it would soon be complemented by a battery energy storage system (BESS). It expects to complete it in March.

ESCO Bulgaria is the contractor for the BESS of 80 MWh, made of Huawei batteries, the statement adds.

Biodiversity preservation efforts

After already passing environmental procedures, the investors detected a habitat of the protected European ground squirrel (Spermophilus citellus), also called European souslik. They introduced special measures including the exemption of an area of more than five hectares.

In 2023, the same partnership has commissioned Verila, Bulgaria’s biggest solar power plant at the time. The project firm is called Belozem Solar Park 3.

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September 19, 2025
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North Macedonia adopts Law on Energy Efficiency

North Macedonia’s new Law on Energy Efficiency brings a long-term strategy for the reconstruction of buildings and the obligation to set up solar collectors on public buildings. It envisages financial support for investments in solar panels, geothermal systems and smart technologies.

The Assembly of North Macedonia adopted the Law on Energy Efficiency at its last session. The new legal framework, aligned with European standards, will directly contribute to lowering bills for citizens and businesses, a cleaner environment and the creation of new green jobs, the Ministry of Energy, Mining and Minerals said.

The law is a substantial step forward in reducing energy consumption, integrating renewable sources and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, the statement reads. It will bring the country closer to fulfilling European climate goals and to a green transition, the ministry added.

The new legislation introduces the European Union’s principle “energy efficiency first,” according to the announcement. One of the novelties is a long-term strategy for the reconstruction of residential, public and commercial buildings.

At least 3% of public buildings must be reconstructed every year

The law mandates tripling energy savings in the public sector. At least 3% of public buildings must be reconstructed every year. In the construction or reconstruction of schools, kindergartens and public institutions, it will be obligatory to install solar collectors.

New measures include financial support for investments in solar panels, geothermal systems and smart technologies. The ministry said the law brings high standards in public procurement, digital transparency and professionalization of energy audits. Energy performance certificates will be included in the real estate cadastre.

The Law on Energy Efficiency is part of the package of reform laws that lay the foundation for a stable, sustainable and competitive energy sector – with energy security, better quality of life for citizens and accelerated accession to the European Union, the ministry underscored.

Of note, public calls are ongoing for households in energy poverty, for free inverter air conditioners and financial aid.

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September 19, 2025
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Murat Çinar appointed as new CEO of DRI

New Chief Executive Officer of DRI Murat Çinar is taking office on September 3, replacing Ivan Geliukh.

A change at the helm of DRI is consolidating its position in the European renewables market, particularly in its core markets of Croatia, Italy, Poland, and Romania, according to the company’s new announcement. It said it has appointed of Murat Çinar as its new CEO, effective from September 3. DRI is the renewables arm of Ukraine-based DTEK in the European Union.

Çinar succeeds Ivan Geliukh, under whose leadership the company’s business strategy and organisational structure were updated, the management team was strengthened, and the business model was refined with a strong focus on sustainable growth, profitability, and operational efficiency, the company added.

“I am pleased to announce the appointment of Murat Çinar as the new Chief Executive Officer of DRI and extend my best wishes as he takes on this important role. Murat will play a key role in strengthening DRI and reinforcing its position as an active contributor to Europe’s energy transition. I would also like to express my gratitude to Ivan for his contribution in refining DRI’s strategy and creating a resilient business. I look forward to working with Ivan as he takes on new responsibilities within the wider DTEK Group,” said DRI’s Chairman of the Supervisory Board Maxim Timchenko.

Çinar to oversee next stage of development for DRI

With over 25 years of leadership experience in the telecom and technology sectors, Murat Çinar has held senior roles across more than 10 international markets, including Sweden, Turkey, Ukraine, and Qatar.

“Drawing on my experience in growth strategies, M&A, and change management, I look forward to leading DRI through the next stage of its development – executing our strategy to be an active player in Europe’s renewable energy market. I believe DRI has a key role to play in supporting European countries to achieve important decarbonisation targets and I’m excited to work with the DRI team to make these goals a reality, Çinar stated.

The new CEO served in Ericsson, Lifecell, Vega Telecom and Korek Telecom

He began his career in Ericsson (1999-2010), leading large-scale network deployments and operations in multiple countries. Çinar later served as chief technology officer of Lifecell (2011-2015) in Ukraine, where he was responsible for overseeing major infrastructure investments and network expansion strategies.

In 2015, he was appointed CEO of Vega Telecom Group, part of DTEK’s parent SCM Group. Çinar has led organisational transformation, improved profitability, and completed the company’s sale to Vodafone Ukraine, his biography shows. In 2021, he joined Korek Telecom as the chief transformation officer and in 2022 assumed the role of CEO, driving strategic growth and operational excellence for 12 million customers.

Four core markets

DRI is dedicated to accelerating the energy transition in Central, Eastern and Southern Europe. The company’s mission is to work in underserved markets in Europe to achieve their net zero goals through the creation of a portfolio of renewable energy and battery storage across Croatia, Italy, Poland and Romania.

It has established a portfolio of onshore wind, solar and battery projects, and has three operational projects in Romania: two solar parks and one wind farm, which was the first in the country in one decade. DRI is an Amsterdam-headquartered renewables developer and operator with local offices in Zagreb, Rome, Warsaw and Bucharest.

Founded in 2021, DRI is a subsidiary of the DTEK Group. The parent company is the largest private investor in Ukraine’s energy sector, with 55,000 employees and over EUR 12 billion of capital invested since 2005.

Its businesses generate electricity at wind, solar and thermal power plants; distribute and supply power to end consumers; extract natural gas and coal; trade energy resources on Ukrainian and foreign markets; and provide domestic and commercial energy services. DTEK Group is 100% owned by SCM Holdings. The ultimate beneficiary and sole shareholder is Rinat Akhmetov, a businessman and philanthropist.

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September 18, 2025
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EU opens energy, environment cluster in accession talks with Albania

Albania officially started negotiations with the European Union on the so-called cluster 4, encompassing the green agenda and sustainable connectivity. It is joining Montenegro and Serbia, which haven’t yet closed any of the four chapters in the group: transport policy, energy, trans-European networks, and environment and climate change.

The Council of the EU held an accession conference with Albania and declared the opening of formal talks on cluster 4.

“Enlargement is at the top of our priorities as a geopolitical necessity for the EU. I am happy that we took a next step today with Albania. This is another clear proof of the country’s path towards European integration. I look forward to holding more meetings in the coming months with Albania and with other candidate countries to move forward the EU’s enlargement,” said Minister for European affairs of Denmark Marie Bjerre, who led the European Union’s delegation. Her country is currently holding the six-month presidency of the Council of the EU.

Rama: Our challenge is to reinvent ourselves

Prime Minister Edi Rama and his team represented Albania at the event, in which European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos participated as well.

“Today we opened another cluster, it’s, as a matter of fact, five clusters in 11 months. In my understanding, it’s a record. And we are looking forward to opening the last cluster before this year ends… Environment is today a really pressing issue, and demands are challenging even for member states to keep the standards and to protect the standards. So, our challenge is to reinvent ourselves,” Rama said at a press conference with the two EU officials.

No chapters from cluster 4 closed yet in Western Balkans

The chapters in cluster 4, on the green agenda and sustainable connectivity, are transport policy (14), energy (15), trans-European networks (21) and environment and climate change (27). The trans-European networks comprise Trans-European Networks for Energy (TEN-E), Trans-European Networks for Transport (TEN-T) and Trans-European Networks for Telecommunications (eTEN).

As for the rest of the Western Balkans, Montenegro opened the first three in 2015 and the remaining one in 2018. It started its accession talks in 2012. The EU grouped 33 chapters into six clusters in 2020, while 34 and 35 are separate.

Albania is third in the region to open cluster 4

Serbia, which started negotiations in 2014, launched cluster 4 in late 2021. Notably, neither closed any chapters in the group. Montenegro closed seven in total, compared to just two on Serbia’s list.

Albania opened accession negotiations in 2022, as did North Macedonia. The former didn’t close any chapters yet and the latter didn’t even open a single one. Bosnia and Herzegovina is a candidate but it still didn’t start negotiations. Kosovo* is only a potential candidate.

EU urging tangible progress against environmental crimes

Among other points in its common position regarding the talks being launched, the EU urged Albania to accelerate renewable energy deployment by completing the necessary rules and regulations on permitting. The negotiators from the administration in Brussels said the Electricity Integration Package (EIP) needs to be fully implemented as well.

Albania has to align with EU acquis on environmental crimes and make tangible progress, especially against wildlife crimes, deterioration of habitats, illegal shipment or dumping of waste, pollution crimes and illegal trading in hazardous substances, the document reads.

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* This designation is without prejudice to positions onstatus and is in line with UNSCR 1244/99 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.
September 18, 2025
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Environmental approvals for 403 MW of wind power on Montenegrin mountain

Companies intend to build wind power plants of 403 MW in total on Sinjajevina mountain, a vast pastureland for which activists and locals have been demanding to be protected. The projects have obtained a green light from the Environmental Protection Agency of Montenegro.

After the government leased land for wind parks Sinjajevina Part 1 and Sinjajevina Part 2 to two domestic consortia and issued the urban planning and technical requirements, the developers chalked up another win. They obtained approvals almost simultaneously for their environmental impact reports from the Environmental Protection Agency of Montenegro.

The planned investments on the eponymous mountain in the country’s north are for 112.2 MW and 290.4 MW, respectively. A group led by Energy 2 is developing Sinjajevina Part 1 in Lipovska Bistrica in Kolašin municipality. The other project, with a firm called N1 at the helm, is in the territories of Kolašin and Šavnik and the villages Lipovo, Krnja Jela, Boan, Tušinja and Timar.

Local firms Sistem-MNE and Permonte are in both consortia

The other members of both consortia are Sistem-MNE and Permonte. All the firms are based in the capital Podgorica.

Importantly, the Environmental Protection Agency noted that the two reports are almost identical and even with the same photographs. Some were downloaded from the internet and there are no pictures from the designated locations, the commission stressed.

No cumulative assessment

The agency also highlighted the lack of a cumulative assessment for the two projects. The developers replied that they are two related phases of the same project and that the data is from the same set of field research.

Both groups opted for Siemens Gamesa wind turbines of 6.6 MW. Sinjajevina Part 1 is expected to generate 392 GWh, compared to 944 GWh for Sinjajevina Part 2, the documentation shows.

The agency accepted the proposed measures to prevent, lower or remove harmful impacts on the environment. They include the utilization of existing roads as much as possible, without building new ones, and avoiding the felling of trees and removal of shrubs.

Bats can be protected by lowering speed or halting turbines in critical periods

The operators will need to monitor bird nesting in May and June to detect and counter any deterioration. In their reports, they also suggested stopping or slowing down rotors between 11 pm and 2 am when bats are the most active in June and July, except during rain and strong winds.

Sinjajevina spans more than 1,000 square kilometers, dominated by pastureland. Initiatives have been launched to declare it a nature park and include it in the Natura 2000 network.

Environmentalists and the local population are opposing a plan to set up a military training ground. They insist on the preservation of nature and traditional agriculture in the area.

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