August 20, 2025
by in News

CWP Europe invests in rooftop solar plant for Henkel Serbia

In partnership with Resalta, CWP Europe led the investment in a rooftop photovoltaic system of 6 MW in peak capacity in Kruševac in Serbia. They completed the project under an innovative ESCO model, contributing to the decarbonization efforts of the manufacturer of detergents and other chemical products.

CWP Europe has successfully completed and commissioned a rooftop solar power plant for Henkel Serbia’s facility in Kruševac. The facility has 6 MW in peak capacity. Developed in partnership with Resalta and financed by UniCreditBank, the project was realized under an innovative ESCO (energy services company) model, with CWP Europe as the key investor.

Now fully operational, the photovoltaic plant is producing an estimated 6,278 MWh of green electricity annually, meeting 21% of the facility’s total energy consumption. The solar power plant will ensure optimal performance for the next 15 years.

The new PV system’s operations prevent an equivalent of 5,857 tons of carbon dioxide emissions per year, according to the update.

Special investment in distributed generation segment

While CWP Europe’s core focus remains on large-scale renewable energy assets across the region, this rooftop project represents a targeted engagement in the distributed generation space – undertaken to support a leading industrial partner in advancing its decarbonization and sustainability objectives.

With a proven track record in developing impactful renewable energy projects, the company is proud to have brought its expertise and investment capacity to a project that sets a new benchmark for industrial decarbonization in Serbia, the statement reads.

CWP Europe has more than 10 GW in its project pipeline

CWP Europe is a leading renewable energy project development company in Southeast Europe. Over the past 17 years, CWP has invested in sustainable development and the energy transition, successfully developing the largest wind farms in the region including the largest wind farm in Europe – the 600 MW Fântânele-Cogealac project in Romania.

It is currently developing over 10 GW of renewable energy project capacity. CWP Europe is a joint venture between CWP Global, a leading global renewable energy company, and Mercuria Energy Trading, one of the world’s largest independent energy traders, with over USD 140 billion in revenue.

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August 19, 2025
by in News

CWP Europe completes rooftop PV plant for Henkel Serbia

In partnership with Resalta, CWP Europe led the investment in a rooftop photovoltaic system of 6 MW in peak capacity in Kruševac in Serbia. They completed the project under an innovative ESCO model, contributing to the decarbonization efforts of the manufacturer of detergents and other chemical products.

CWP Europe has successfully completed and commissioned a rooftop solar power plant for Henkel Serbia’s facility in Kruševac. The facility has 6 MW in peak capacity. Developed in partnership with Resalta and financed by UniCreditBank, the project was realized under an innovative ESCO (energy services company) model, with CWP Europe as the key investor.

Now fully operational, the photovoltaic plant is producing an estimated 6,278 MWh of green electricity annually, meeting 21% of the facility’s total energy consumption. The solar power plant will ensure optimal performance for the next 15 years.

The new PV system’s operations prevent an equivalent of 5,857 tons of carbon dioxide emissions per year, according to the update.

Special investment in distributed generation segment

While CWP Europe’s core focus remains on large-scale renewable energy assets across the region, this rooftop project represents a targeted engagement in the distributed generation space – undertaken to support a leading industrial partner in advancing its decarbonization and sustainability objectives.

With a proven track record in developing impactful renewable energy projects, the company is proud to have brought its expertise and investment capacity to a project that sets a new benchmark for industrial decarbonization in Serbia, the statement reads.

CWP Europe has more than 10 GW in its project pipeline

CWP Europe is a leading renewable energy project development company in Southeast Europe. Over the past 17 years, CWP has invested in sustainable development and the energy transition, successfully developing the largest wind farms in the region including the largest wind farm in Europe – the 600 MW Fântânele-Cogealac project in Romania.

It is currently developing over 10 GW of renewable energy project capacity. CWP Europe is a joint venture between CWP Global, a leading global renewable energy company, and Mercuria Energy Trading, one of the world’s largest independent energy traders, with over USD 140 billion in revenue.

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August 19, 2025
by in News

Cyprus TSO favored in national battery storage tender

Pressed by the lack of electricity system flexibility, Cyprus is rushing to deploy battery storage facilities under indirect state control. Private companies are complaining that Transmission System Operator Cyprus (TSOC) is favored at a current tender for three units of 40 MW each.

EMA, the electricity market association of private companies has been trying to hinder or delay the installation of a central battery storage system within the network of state-owned Electricity Authority of Cyprus (EAC), but to no avail, philenews reported.

After several complaints, including to the European Commission, the group urged the Cyprus Energy Regulatory Authority (CERA) to reconsider the approval that it issued in June to Transmission System Operator Cyprus (TSOC). A tender is underway for the same three facilities with 400 MWh in total capacity, to be installed at three EAC’s substations.

The one in Athalassa would have 40 MW in operating power and a duration of two hours, translating to 80 MWh. The battery energy storage systems (BESS) at the substations in Anatoliko in Paphos (Pafos) and the free industrial zone in Larnaca would each have 40 MW and 160 MWh.

EU gave green light for rushed procedure

EAC owns TSOC, which has raised the issue of transparency. However, the government has obtained a derogation from the European Commission. In its request, it cited the delays in interconnecting with the European electricity grid, lack of energy storage and the instability affecting the island country’s electricity system.

The project for centralized BESS capacities on the transmission grid is an emergency measure to prevent blackouts and curtailments

The Great Sea Interconnector project for a subsea cable to Crete is late and even jeopardized due to breach deadlines. The Cypriot grid is constantly strained as it needs flexibility systems, while a huge part of solar and wind power is curtailed.

There were several major rolling outages and load-shedding events this summer on the island. One last week occurred amid a breakdown in one of the fuel oil–fired power plants, which the country relies on for baseload energy. Two new units of 400 MW overall are designed to use gas, but there is still no gas. Namely, the project for a liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal is suffering delays as well.

BESS tender is worth EUR 41 million excluding VAT

As for the tender, applications last until September 19. The cost is estimated at EUR 41 million altogether, excluding value-added tax. The BESS facilities need to operate at least 128 months.

AEC said in the documentation that it expects the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) to support the investment. Earlier reports suggest that EUR 30 million is available.

The government said the three battery energy storage systems are planned to be commissioned by June. EAC’s two power stations are also planned to be equipped with BESS units, it added.

In addition, the government is funding battery storage projects for renewable electricity plants, prosumers and even the army.

Power market liberalization in one month

Notably, Cyprus is liberalizing its power market on September 15 for independent producers and retail suppliers. The change is scheduled to come fully into force on October 1, the first day for transactions.

In a separate article, the same media outlet stressed that the country’s energy policy in the electricity segment is inadequate, uncoordinated and fragmented, with the cost of wrong decisions being passed on to consumers.

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August 19, 2025
by in News

Battery storage investors in Romania rapidly expanding project pipeline

In an accelerating investment wave, companies in Romania are combining BESS with solar power, hydropower and wind power, or building standalone energy storage facilities. The group includes R.Power, Hidroelectrica, Engie and more big names.

Recent updates about investments in battery energy storage systems (BESS) in Romania indicate the technology is becoming another pillar of the country’s energy transition alongside wind power. For several years now, photovoltaics, and prosumers in particular – including municipal authorities, have dominated the scene. Geothermal energy is another emerging segment.

The government has provided incentives both for households and utility-scale battery storage. Companies are combining batteries with solar and wind power as well as hydropower capacity.

Investing in BESS colocated with renewable electricity plants or as standalone facilities in Southeastern Europe enables income from high spreads between wholesale power prices in daily trading. It is especially significant given the increase in the occurrence of zero and negative prices.

Notably, neighboring Bulgaria has earmarked massive funds for support to BESS investments while also focusing on pumped storage hydropower projects. Greece also held several rounds of auctions for battery storage.

R.Power to start building 127 MW standalone battery

R.Power is investing in BESS in Romania, which is one of its strategic markets, together with Poland, where it is headquartered, and Italy, Germany, Spain and Portugal. Battery storage makes up 17.5 GW or more than half of its total development pipeline in Europe.

The company said it would hybridize its existing and future PV assets and scale the integrated capacity to several gigawatts in the coming years. It has over 1.2 GW of projects for standalone BESS in Romania. “And that’s just the beginning,” R.Power said.

It obtained EUR 15 million in funding for a future 127 MW facility. It is about to start building the BESS in Scornicești in Olt county, west of Bucharest. R.Power is planning to complete it in a year. The battery energy storage system would have a duration of two hours, translating to 254 MWh in capacity. The project received funding from the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP or, in Romanian, PNRR).

Still, in the company’s view, further legislative changes are needed to fully harness the potential of the technology.

Hidroelectrica to add large battery to Iron Gate 2 hydroelectric plant

State-owned Hidroelectrica, the largest electricity producer in Romania, wants to install a battery storage system at Iron Gate 2 (Porțile de Fier 2) on the Danube. Located on the border with Serbia, it is the second-largest hydroelectric plant in the country, at 252 MW in nominal capacity. The complex, which the two countries share, is known as Đerdap in Serbian.

The BESS would have 64 MW in nominal power and a four-hour duration (256 MWh), Profit.ro reported. Hidroelectrica plans to use it for providing balancing services to the national electricity system (SEN) and adjust the time intervals of its hydropower production.

The contract for the installation of the facility is estimated at EUR 61.2 million plus value-added tax, according to the article. It would be integrated with the hydroelectric plant. The company is receiving bids from potential contractors by August 28.

French Engie has BESS projects for its existing PV plant, wind park

France-based Engie’s subsidiary in Romania intends to install a BESS at its newest solar power plant, of 37.2 MW in peak capacity, in Ariceștii Rahtivani. It commissioned the PV facility in June. The location is north of Bucharest, in Prahova county.

The battery energy storage system project is for 20 MW in operating power and 80 MWh. It would consist of 16 containers, 192 inverters and four transformer units.

The wind park in Băleni will reportedly add a small BESS facility

Engie Romania is working on another investment, through its Alizeu Eolian project firm. It plans to add batteries to a 50 MW wind park in Băleni, Galați county, which was built in 2013.

The company obtained the building permit last year. It also got clearance two months ago for connecting the BESS with a 110/20 kV transformer station via an underground line. Economica.net learned that the battery storage facility would have 5 MW and a two-hour duration, costing the firm EUR 2 million.

Engie’s project was included in the reserve list last September after a public call for support to battery storage. The Ministry of Energy selected 13 applications for grants from NRRP. Another 25 passed, but remained below the line.

Government bolstering battery investments with grants

The state aid scheme was worth EUR 103.5 million, of which EUR 79.6 million came from the European Union’s Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF).

Among the beneficiaries are Electrica, in which the government holds just under 50%. Renovatio Trading. OMV Petrom, Public Power Corp. (PPC) and Verbund have projects on the B list.

For its 65 MWh project in Toplița in Harghita county, in eastern Transylvania, Renovatio Trading is buying the equipment from Trina Storage. The firm is part of Trina Solar.

Visual Fan is winning major contracts for the procurement and installation of batteries

Allview Energy, part of Romanian company Visual Fan, is handling the alternating current (AC) side in Renovatio Trading’s investment.

In addition, Visual Fan became the contractor for a BESS within Eurowind Energy’s Teiuș solar park.

The Danish developer intends to deploy a 117 MWh energy storage unit with lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) batteries, within a year. It valued the project at over EUR 16.6 million. The companies said they would carry out the works in partnership with TQM Services and Voltlink. The investment includes the battery management system and liquid cooling.

In June, the ministry approved a EUR 3.4 million grant from the EU’s Modernisation Fund to Termoficare Oradea. It has a project for a 10 MW solar park with a 15 MWh storage unit, worth EUR 18.6 million altogether.

Austria’s Verbund conducting EUR 22.7 million project

Verbund has almost all the permits for a BESS project at its 226 MW wind farm in Casimcea in Tulcea county. The company headquartered in Austria said it has secured financing as well and that it is already contracting the equipment.

The wind farm was commissioned in 2012. The energy storage segment would have up to 50 MW and up to 100 MWh. It would be located at the Alpha Wind Nord section of the existing facility, of 81 MW.

Still, the basic variant’s size will be 48.3 MW, with 76 MWh in capacity, according to Profit.ro. There would be 34 containers at the site selected for the BESS.

The majority government-controlled utility values the investment at EUR 22.7 million, of which more than EUR 10.7 million is for the storage facility itself. The location spans five hectares.

After coming up short in the public call, Verbund submitted the project for a grant from the Modernisation Fund.

In mid-May, Romania hosted 240.7 MW of battery capability and a total capacity of 404.9 MWh.

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August 18, 2025
by in News

North Macedonia’s draft law envisages renewable energy auctions for CfDs

North Macedonia drafted the Law on the Use of Energy from Renewable Sources to facilitate a decrease in fossil fuel consumption and a rise in the share of green energy. The legislation introduces market premiums under two-way contracts for difference (CfDs), which would be approved through renewable energy auctions. It also regulates net metering and net billing for prosumers and defines renewable energy communities.

The Ministry of Energy, Mining and Minerals of North Macedonia called on citizens, experts and stakeholders to submit opinions and proposals for the draft Law on the Use of Energy from Renewable Sources. It will regulate the segment separately for the first time, “following the example of a large number of countries in the region and the EU,” the statement adds.

The public debate lasts until August 30. According to the ministry, the most significant novelty is the two-way contract for difference (CfD). It is defined in Macedonian as contract for market settlement of the price difference. The bill envisages awarding such market premiums through renewable energy auctions.

It is a mechanism that guarantees financial stability for renewable energy producers and protects consumers from extreme price fluctuations, the ministry argued. The draft is fully aligned with the European Union’s energy legislation including the Renewable Energy Directive (RED3), the update adds.

Basis for renewables deployment in heating, cooling, transportation

The proposed measures aim to lower the use of fossil fuels and grow the share of renewables in gross energy consumption, the ministry added. They facilitate support for long-term investments and faster deployment of renewable energy in heating, cooling and transportation, it underscored.

Guarantees of origin of electricity are included in the bill, together with a framework for international cooperation and energy markets.

The draft establishes the basis for the establishment of renewable energy communities of citizens and companies and other legal entities such as local authorities. The scope also involves net metering and net billing for prosumers – “consumers-producers.”

Multiapartment structures can become prosumers with units up to 50 kW

While the ministry earlier said it would raise the upper capacity limit for prosumers in the segment of households to 10 kW, the ceiling in the draft law is 10.8 kW for individual homes and 50 kW for multiapartment structures. The draft also introduces the collective prosumer, a group of citizens and commercial entities residing in the same building or apartment complex.

Prosumers with units up to 16 kW would be in the net metering mechanism. Net billing is for 16 kW to 50 kW, and larger facilities are envisaged for a commercial supply scheme.

Notably, prosumers operating power plants of over 300 kW are obligated to cover the balancing expenses, the text reads.

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August 15, 2025
by in News

Floating solar farm ready to be merged with North Sea offshore wind park

Dutch company Oceans of Energy has assembled its new floating photovoltaic plant in the Port of Amsterdam in just three days. The modular facility is about to be towed and integrated with the Hollandse Kust Noord offshore wind farm on the North Sea, creating a hybrid power plant.

The Nymphaea Aurora floating solar power platform comprises 1,400 photovoltaic panels on 196 floaters. It features reused metals at 70%, while the share of reused polymers is 80%. The name is inspired by a water lily and how it gently floats, while aurora is the Latin word for dawn.

SolarPower Europe promoted the project after the modular platform was assembled in the Port of Amsterdam in just three days. It is about to be towed to a spot 22 kilometers offshore IJmuiden on the North Sea. There it would be installed within the Hollandse Kust Noord offshore wind farm.

Using just 3% to 5% of the space between turbines for solar panels can boost energy output by over 20%, all while using the existing energy system infrastructure, the update adds.

Next step after Nymphaea Aurora is scaling up so units reach 10 MW, 100 MW, 1 GW

Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Oceans of Energy Allard van Hoeken claimed Nymphaea Aurora is the world’s first offshore solar farm to be installed within an operational offshore wind park.

However, China’s State Power Investment Corp. (SPIC) commissioned one such facility in 2022. It used Ocean Sun’s technology for the two solar power units offshore Haiyang, a city in Shandong province in eastern China. It connected them with an offshore wind turbine. Several other hybrid offshore wind and floating PV projects have been initiated over the last few years.

Van Hoeken: Everything you do at sea is very scalable

Combining the two renewable energy technologies brings variation into the generation profile, Van Hoeken noted.

“There is more solar energy in the summer and more wind energy in the winter. The next step is scaling up the farms from 1 MW to 10 MW, to 100 MW and to 1,000 MW. This is the size that offshore solar offers to the world, because everything you do at sea is very scalable,” the CEO stressed.

Hollandse Kust Noord is operated by CrossWind, a joint venture between Shell and Eneco. The 759 MW facility consists of 69 wind turbines, while Nymphaea Aurora brings only 0.5 MW. It takes up one hectare and it will be moored at a location with water depth of 25 meters.

Oceans of Energy deployed three standalone offshore PV units so far

In 2019, Oceans of Energy installed the world’s first floating solar power plant at sea, North Sea 1. Initially located one kilometer from the shore, it had 8.5 kW in capacity. It was expanded to 50 kW the following year and moved to a spot 15 kilometers away, near The Hague. It is an area with high waves, of up to 13 meters.

The firm earlier said it would expand its other pilot facility, North Sea 2, to 1 MW. It is 12 kilometers from the shore. North Sea 3 was deployed last year for testing off the Belgian coast.

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August 12, 2025
by in News

Wind power takes lead in new renewables investment wave in Romania

The rising number of maturing wind power projects and the ones under construction in Romania has highlighted the increasing role of the technology for the country’s energy transition. The recent updates are for three locations in the country’s east.

Investments in wind power in Romania are rebounding from a long lull. According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the country hosted nearly 3.1 GW in wind power capacity at the end of 2024. It achieved a peak of 3.24 GW a decade before. Investors are maturing an increasing number of projects or beginning construction, alongside significant acquisition activity.

Together with a wave of investments in battery storage, the wind power segment is making the domestic renewable energy market more balanced. It was dominated by photovoltaics for several years – primarily by the meteoric rise in the number of prosumers. Of note, there were 228,302 at the end of May, operating 2.73 GW in capacity.

New Minister of Energy Bogdan Ivan recently estimated that another 3.2 GW of solar and wind power combined would come online in Romania by the end of 2026.

Wind park of over 250 MW in Ialomița to be completed in 2027

The administration of Ialomița County in the country’s east announced that KKR, its subsidiary Greenvolt and Renovatio would build a wind park of more than 250 MW. It would consist of three power plants in the area around Țăndărei, Gheorghe Lazăr, Grivița and Ograda.

According to the regional authority, the Ialomița wind farm project east of Bucharest is worth more than EUR 400 million. Its completion is expected in 2027.

Greenvolt has won support for more than half of capacity in its Ialomița Nord wind power project at the government’s first wind and solar power auction, through a contract for difference (CfD). Total investment is for 246.4 MW.

Greek renewables giant to start construction of two wind power plants

HELLENiQ Renewables Romania, operating under Greece-based HELLENiQ Energy, acquired Ansthall Green Energy from OX2. The project firm owns a ready-to-build wind project in Scânteiesti in Galaţi in eastern Romania, with a licensed capacity of 96 MW.

The Greek parent company said construction is starting immediately through a deal with OX2 Construction. It expects to put the facility into operation in 2027.

It has a 12-year virtual power purchase agreement (PPA) with Koninklijke Ahold Delhaize, for 158 GWh per year. The company operates supermarket chains. Total annual output is estimated at 309 GWh.

HELLENiQ Energy revealed that it has bought two ready-to-build projects of 282 MW in total

HELLENiQ Energy’s Romanian company also signed a contract to take over Helios and Wind Energy, a special purpose vehicle owning a ready-to-build wind project in the nearby Vaslui region. The licensed capacity is 186 MW and there is an option to add a battery energy storage system (BESS). It would have 186 MW in operational power as well and a duration of one hour, translating to 186 MWh.

Regulators in Romania must approve the agreement before the transaction.

In addition, the company completed the purchase of a ready-to-build PV project of 123 MW in peak capacity. The location is in Haskovo region in southern Bulgaria, which marks HELLENiQ’s entry into the country. The solar power plant can include a BESS facility of 90 MW and 180 MWh.

The company previously known as Hellenic Petroleum (HELPE) intends to start the construction of two BESS in its home market. They would have 50 MW and 200 MWh altogether. The two endeavors in Florina were among the winners in the third auction for battery storage in Greece.

Turkish company, Romanian footbal star’s daughter advance joint project

The third recent update is for one of the biggest planned wind farms in Romania, also in the east. The location for the Dăeni project is in Tulcea county. It has received the grid connection approval from Transelectrica and an environmental permit from the National Environment Protection Agency (NEPA or, in Romanian, ANPM).

Project documentation for the wind power plant of 56 turbines of 7.2 MW each shows the facility should be commissioned by the end of 2031, Profit.ro reported. It translates to 403.2 MW in nominal capacity. Dăeni would have a connection to the transmission grid of over 394 MW.

Oxigen Delta is 50% owned by a subsidiary of Turkey-based Sanko Enerji

The developer is Oxigen Delta, in which 50% is owned by a subsidiary of Turkey-based Sanko Enerji, part of Sanko Holding. Milana-Maria Ilie, daughter of famous former Romanian football player Adrian Ilie, is among the main shareholders, the article adds. The investment was valued at some EUR 800 million last year.

Eximprod, which installed the first wind turbine in Romania more than two decades ago, has delivered the first megawatt-hours to the grid from its new wind farm in the country’s east. Rezolv secured a financing package for the second phase of its giant Vifor wind farm in Buzău county

Eurowind Energy built the turbines earlier this year at its Pecineaga wind park. Greece-based Public Power Corp. (PPC) is supposed to connect its Deleni facility to the grid before the end of the year.

OX2 is constructing the Green Breeze wind farm as the turnkey contractor for the investor, Nala Renewables.

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August 12, 2025
by in News

Water shortages in Southeastern Europe point to desalination as strategic approach

Former Minister of Environment and Water of Bulgaria Borislav Sandov is urging the country’s authorities to deploy alternative water supply solutions, including desalination, to counter shortages. Greece is preparing a radical change in its water management model. Turkey got its first floating seawater purification platform, running on solar and wind power.

Southeastern Europe is among the most jeopardized regions in the world in the context of global warming. The lack of water has the most drastic effect on everything from wildlife to food production, energy and public health. Bulgaria’s former Minister of Environment and Water Borislav Sandov warned that over half a million people in the country are at risk of water shortages.

Eastern and northeastern Bulgaria have a persistent issue with droughts and lack of water, necessitating a switch toward alternative forms of supply in the next five to 10 years, including seawater desalination plants, he recently told bTV.

In addition to climatic factors, there are serious shortcomings in water management, together with theft and corruption, Sandov claimed. He pointed to an example where drastically undersized pipes of poor quality were installed in one area, resulting in constant breakdowns and supply interruptions.

Sandov attributed some of the water stress to fragmented management between different local, regional and national institutions. In his words, as much as 10% of all settlements in Bulgaria, though mostly small ones, aren’t covered by waterworks and sewerage systems. Moreover, 44% of the water in the network isn’t measured in volume terms at the entry point and 50% of the water sources don’t have a valid permit from the competent authority, he added.

Notably, a quarter of the population in neighboring Serbia occasionally or permanently lacks safe drinking water from waterworks systems.

Greece to radically change its water management system

Greece decided to get ahead of the droughts and heatwaves. The government has promised radical change in water management: a more functional system with more investments and new technologies, including desalination, but also recycling.

Tourism in the summer months exacerbates the water stress. On some islands, demand surges by up to 30 times. It creates conflict with the needs for irrigation for food production. Greek islands mostly use underground aquifers with easily exhaustible capacity.

Rainfall and snowfall in the country are gradually decreasing.

Similar to Bulgaria, water management is spread across hundreds of operators and institutions, lacking coordination. Losses in drinking water supply amount to as much as 40%, in comparison with up to a staggering 60% in irrigation.

The government in Athens promised water would remain a public good

According to a study by Deloitte with data from 2022, more than EUR 10 billion is necessary for investments in the two segments, excluding Attica. It is where Athens is located. Another EUR 500 million to EUR 700 million is needed for the peninsula.

Government-controlled power utility Public Power Corp. (PPC) will reportedly enter the game, not least because municipal water and sewerage firms owe it more than EUR 400 million. The company would convert debts into minority stakes in three centralized entities: for the regions of Athens and Thessaloniki and the rest of the country, the media learned.

PPC can contribute with its knowhow and experience in the construction and operation of dams and hydropower plants.

Importantly, the government vowed to keep water a public good.

Floating desalination platform with hybrid power plant put into operation in western Turkey

Right opposite the Greek island of Kos, offshore Bitez Marina, the Bodrum Municipality inaugurated Turkey’s first floating seawater purification platform. It runs entirely on renewable energy, producing 20 cubic metres of clean, non-potable water every day.

The project was developed in partnership with Istanbul-based company Blue Hybrid Solutions. The facility is powered by solar panels and two small wind turbines. It delivers water to an onshore tank for irrigation, emergency needs and, when required, public consumption, the local authority said.

Greece is already conducting a massive project for energy independence of numerous non-interconnected islands, including investments in desalination powered by renewables. It is also working to link other islands to the mainland grid.

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August 12, 2025
by in News

Greek coal region of Megalopolis opens new chapter after lignite

Last year, for the first time in decades, no smoke rose out of coal plants in the Peloponnese peninsula. The last two units had 500 MW together. Megalopolis is one of the two coal regions in Greece, along with Western Macedonia in the country’s north.

According to Public Power Corporation (PPC or DEI) the units Megalopolis-3 and Megalopolis-4 have now been permanently retired. Under the government-controlled utility’s plan to phase out coal completely next year, all such power plants stopped operating by now, with the exception of Ptolemaida 5, of 660 MW, which entered into operation last year. To maintain the security of supply, two units are kept in reserve, also in Western Macedonia in northern Greece.

PPC has produced a study for the reconstruction of the Megalopolis thermal power station, intending to accommodate other activities. Similar works are already underway in the local lignite mine.

New energy investments underway

The group’s investment plan involves various renewable energy and storage projects in Megalopolis to support the area’s energy transition. It is building two photovoltaic farms of 125 MW each, as part of a 490 MW cluster in the area.

The plan includes a 181 MW pumped storage hydropower station in the former lignite mine.

Based on the government’s Just Transition Development Program, Megalopolis will also host a battery factory, by Enercells, as well as two data centers, by Eunice and Kiefer, of 5 MW each. The investments have been approved by the Ministry of Economy and Finance, to seek funding from the European Union’s Just Transition Fund (JTF).

PPC expressed the belief that data centers are important for coal regions. Earlier this year, the group’s CEO George Stassis said they are ideal for such investments as the land and grid connections are already available. PPC is planning a 300 MW data center in Western Macedonia, but it hasn’t announced anything similar for Megalopolis yet.

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August 7, 2025
by in News

WindEurope urges Germany to drop negative bidding in wind auctions, switch to CfDs

Germany’s second offshore wind auction in 2025 failed to attract bids from developers, sending a clear signal that the country’s wind auction design, which relies on negative bidding, is not fit for purpose, WindEurope has warned. Instead of swimming against the tide, Germany should follow in the footsteps of other European countries and switch to contracts for difference (CfDs), according to the European wind industry association.

The auction covered two offshore wind sites in the North Sea with a combined capacity of 2.5 GW, but no developer placed a bid. That should be a wake-up call for the German government, according to Viktoriya Kerelska, Director of Advocacy & Messaging at WindEurope.

In negative bidding, developers offer the amount of money they are willing to pay for the right to build a wind farm, with the highest bid most likely to win. In the CfD model, on the other hand, they bid the electricity price they need, and receive compensation from the government if the market price falls below that level.

Kerelska: Negative bidding reduces the number of companies willing to participate in auctions

Negative bidding does not offer any revenue stabilization and exposes bidders to risks that go beyond their control. The uncapped negative bidding further intensifies the financial pressure on offshore wind developers by asking them to pay high sums for the right to develop an offshore wind farm, according to WindEurope.

“Negative bidding adds costs that make offshore wind more expensive and reduces the number of companies willing and able to participate in auctions,” Kerelska stated, adding it is time to amend the auction model so Germany can deliver on its offshore wind targets and industrial competitiveness.

Wind energy provides 30% of all electricity consumed in Germany, making it crucial for ensuring competitive prices for households and industry as well as energy security, WindEurope noted.

CfDs ensure lower financing costs and more predictable revenues

Most countries in Europe have introduced two-sided CfDs as a revenue stabilization mechanism for offshore wind development. It ensures lower financing costs and more visibility on future revenues, WindEurope said, noting that Denmark was the latest country to switch to CfDs after its 3 GW negative bidding offshore wind tender failed to attract any bids last December.

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