February 12, 2026
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El-Mor Pushes Two 203 MW Stand-Alone BESS Projects Toward Delivery in Romania

Romania’s grid-scale energy storage market is rapidly shifting from development into execution, making time-to-market an increasingly decisive differentiator. In this context, El-Mor Electric Installations & Services is progressing two large stand-alone Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) projects structured for fast delivery: BRADU BESS (Argeș) and BRAZI BESS (Prahova).

Each project is planned at 203 MW with up to 800 MWh of energy capacity (4-hour duration) and is designed to connect at 110 kV to substations operated by Romania’s transmission system operator, Transelectrica. Both projects already hold an ATR (technical connection approval) and are targeted to achieve RTB (ready-to-build) status in Q1 2026, with a defined pathway to commissioning in H1 2027, subject to investor execution and financing.

As Romania’s BESS market expands and moves into what many describe as a “delivery phase,” projects can look similar on paper. Increasingly, however, the separation between bankable opportunities and speculative pipelines comes down to execution certainty—particularly connection clarity, permitting maturity, optimized grid-connection CAPEX, and documentation capable of meeting lender-grade due diligence requirements.

El-Mor’s development model is focused on de-risking the items that most commonly delay BESS delivery—especially the grid interface and permitting quality—so investors can move quickly with fewer late-stage disruptions.

Quality control, risk management, and bankability

El-Mor Electric Installations & Services is a public company listed on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange, reporting over €200 million in 2025 sales. Across its PV and BESS activities, the company highlights an engineering-led approach supported by decades of high-voltage experience, shaping a development practice centered on quality control, risk management, and overall bankability of the permitting package.

A key element of El-Mor’s strategy is technology flexibility. The projects are permitted on an equipment-agnostic basis, enabling investors to select BESS containers and Power Conversion System (PCS) technology during detailed design. This approach is intended to protect schedules as equipment availability, pricing, and lender requirements evolve—while avoiding the need to reopen permits to accommodate technology decisions.

BRADU BESS: permits issued, grid agreement targeted for March

BRADU BESS is a 203 MW / up to 800 MWh project located in Bradu commune (Argeș), planned to connect to Transelectrica’s BRADU 400/220/110 kV substation. El-Mor said the underground 110 kV cable route is approximately 0.6 km, supporting both schedule execution and connection cost optimization. The company noted that building permits were issued in January 2026, with Grid Connection Agreement (GCA) signature targeted for March 2026.

BRAZI BESS: advanced development track toward RTB in Q1 2026

BRAZI BESS is a 203 MW / up to 800 MWh project in Brazi commune (Prahova), planned to connect to Transelectrica’s BRAZI 400/220/110 kV substation via an underground 110 kV cable route of approximately 1.2 km. Development began in 2023, and the project remains on track to reach full RTB in Q1 2026.

In a market where speed and certainty are becoming core investment criteria, “delivery-ready” must withstand rigorous diligence to be meaningful. El-Mor’s positioning centers on disciplined VDR (virtual data room) management and a permitting approach designed to keep technology options open while enabling rapid execution.

February 9, 2026
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GCL Moves Knjaževac Solar Project Forward as Serbia’s Large-Scale PV Pipeline Expands

Chinese energy group GCL has advanced its plans for the Knjaževac solar power plant, a major photovoltaic project proposed for eastern Serbia and among the country’s largest developments currently in the pipeline.

The Municipal Council of Knjaževac has launched the process to draft a detailed regulation plan for the facility. A public consultation on the draft decision was held from February 3 to 5. Once the decision to prepare the plan is formally adopted, authorities will open a second public discussion lasting 15 days.

According to the draft decision, the initiative was filed by the prospective investor, Central Europe Energy Company, a Belgrade-registered entity. The company is 90% owned by China’s GCL Intelligent Energy (Suzhou), with the remaining 10% held by Central Europe Consulting Company, also based in Belgrade.

The project has already cleared an important grid-related milestone. In May 2025, Central Europe Energy Company signed a grid connection agreement with Serbia’s transmission system operator, Elektromreža Srbije (EMS). The signing was part of a broader package of 11 renewable energy projects contracted by EMS at the time. EMS said that, among nine solar projects included in that round, the Knjaževac photovoltaic plant carried the highest proposed capacity at 136 MW.

Municipality head Milan Đokić described the development as the largest investment in Knjaževac’s history, estimating its value at EUR 200 million, as reported by local outlet Knjaževačke Novine.

Planning documentation will cover roughly 267 hectares, spanning parts of the cadastral municipalities of Krenta, Ponor, Mučibaba, and Miljkovac within the municipality of Knjaževac. The preparation deadline for the detailed regulation plan is set at 12 months, and the decision also предусматривает a strategic environmental assessment.

Serbia’s solar market is growing from a relatively low base. The country’s largest operating solar park is currently the 27 MW facility installed by Nofar Energy, while the biggest project by planned capacity is CWP Europe’s 150 MW Solarina development.

GCL is active across most continents, with a core business centered on solar module and energy storage battery manufacturing, alongside the development of low-carbon energy solutions.

January 20, 2026
by in News

EU presents European Grids Package: faster permitting, stronger interconnections, lower energy bills

The European Commission presented the European Grids Package, a comprehensive plan to modernise transmission infrastructure, accelerate permitting procedures, and overcome bottlenecks in Europe’s electricity networks. It also unveiled the Energy Highways initiative, which consists of eight major infrastructure projects critical for energy security, renewable energy integration, and cross-border electricity market connectivity.

Energy infrastructure is the backbone of the energy system. Yet the EU’s energy network remains insufficiently integrated, and investment levels fall short of what is needed, a situation that directly affects household energy bills.

Ageing infrastructure and limited interconnection capacity are creating bottlenecks that slow the energy transition. Although some progress has been made within the existing EU legislative framework, the level of interconnection among member states remains inadequate. Several countries are not on track to meet the 15% interconnection target by 2030.

To address these challenges, the European Commission has presented the European Grids Package and Energy Highways initiative. The aim is to enable a more efficient flow of energy across the EU, integrate greater volumes of renewable energy into the system, and accelerate electrification.

Jørgensen: A truly interconnected energy system is the foundation of a strong and independent Europe

The Grids Package is designed to speed up permitting and ensure a fairer distribution of costs for cross-border infrastructure. It should also improve the use of existing infrastructure and accelerate the development of networks and other physical energy assets across the EU.

Among the measures is a new mechanism that allows the commission to initiate the search for additional infrastructure projects when existing initiatives do not cover identified cross-border needs.

“A truly interconnected and integrated energy system is the foundation of a strong and independent Europe. To achieve it, we need an energy infrastructure network of cables, pipes and grids that is up to date, fully interconnected, and that enables clean, affordable, homegrown energy to flow freely and securely to every corner of our union. This is exactly what we are proposing today: a common European energy project that supports affordable living, economic competitiveness, security, and decarbonisation,” said Dan Jørgensen, European Commissioner for Energy and Housing.

Permitting reform

Slow permitting remains one of the biggest bottlenecks for energy infrastructure and renewable energy projects in the EU.
Obtaining permits for transmission infrastructure currently takes more than five years on average, while renewable energy projects may face delays of up to nine years.

The Grids Package introduces simplified and accelerated permitting procedures. The commissioners have proposed setting time limits within which decisions must be taken for all types of projects. If the competent authority fails to respond within the deadline, the permit would be considered granted.

Permits for smaller projects would be issued through faster and more streamlined procedures

Permits for smaller projects would be issued through faster and more streamlined procedures. All processes would have to be fully digitalised, and national administrations would be required to have adequate staffing and technical capacity to process applications.

The commission is proposing to move away from the current first-come, first-served model and introduce a system that ensures timely and non-discriminatory access to the grid, one that balances social acceptance and industrial competitiveness.

Public and private financing

According to the commission’s estimates, EUR 1.2 trillion in investment will be needed for Europe’s electricity grid by 2040. Distribution networks account for EUR 730 billion within the sum, compared to EUR 240 billion for hydrogen infrastructure.

The commission said additional financing tools are required, including cost-sharing arrangements, arguing that cross-border infrastructure generates benefits that extend beyond the territory in which a project is located.

Another suggested solution is the formation of project firms (special purpose vehicles – SPVs) to attract additional private investment.

Given that grid infrastructure is largely financed through network tariffs, part of the burden falls on consumers. To ease this pressure, the commission announced it would boost financial support through the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), the EU’s regular seven-year budget, including a significant expansion of the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF). The tool is designed to support investments in new cross-border energy infrastructure and upgrades or rehabilitation of existing assets.

The current 2021–2027 EU budget contained EUR 5.8 billion for cross-border projects under CEF. For the 2028–2034 period, the commission said the amount would be raised almost fivefold, to EUR 29.91 billion.

On the private side, the EU is working on its Clean Energy Investment Strategy, to launch it in 2026 by outlining measures for private sector participation including institutional investors, as well as additional support from the European Investment Bank (EIB).

Energy Highways

The Energy Highways initiative comprises eight of the EU’s largest and most critical infrastructure projects, essential for energy security, renewable energy integration, and cross-border electricity market connectivity.

They have already been already listed as Projects of Common Interest (PCI) or Projects of Mutual Interest (PMI), but under the new initiative, they would receive elevated political priority, accelerated financing, and faster permitting.

Energy Highways
Photo: European Commission

Among the projects are the reinforcement of interconnections across the Pyrenees to improve the integration of the Iberian Peninsula, the connection of Cyprus with continental Europe through the Great Sea Interconnector, as well as an upgrade of electricity links between the Baltic states, including the Harmony Link to Poland, which is essential for the full synchronisation of the region with the European grid.

The commission has also endorsed the establishment of Denmark’s hub on the island of Bornholm, which could, in the coming years, be connected to additional locations in the Baltic Sea.

Among the priorities are strengthening energy storage capacity in South-Eastern Europe

Among the priorities are strengthening energy storage capacity in South-Eastern Europe, as well as the modernisation of the Trans-Balkan Pipeline (TBP) for gas.

The list includes two hydrogen corridors. The southern one would connect Tunisia, Italy, Austria, and Germany, and the south-western corridor is a planned link between Portugal, Spain, France, and Germany. The commission has announced strong coordination and political support for the latter.

The commission views these projects as pillars of Europe’s future energy network, essential for lower electricity prices, greater system stability, and reduced dependence on fossil fuels.

In a regular legislative procedure, the proposals now move to the European Parliament and the Council of the EU for further deliberation.

Post Views:412
December 16, 2025
by in News

EU presents European Grids Package: faster permitting, stronger interconnections, lower energy bills

The European Commission presented the European Grids Package, a comprehensive plan to modernise transmission infrastructure, accelerate permitting procedures, and overcome bottlenecks in Europe’s electricity networks. It also unveiled the Energy Highways initiative, which consists of eight major infrastructure projects critical for energy security, renewable energy integration, and cross-border electricity market connectivity.

Energy infrastructure is the backbone of the energy system. Yet the EU’s energy network remains insufficiently integrated, and investment levels fall short of what is needed, a situation that directly affects household energy bills.

Ageing infrastructure and limited interconnection capacity are creating bottlenecks that slow the energy transition. Although some progress has been made within the existing EU legislative framework, the level of interconnection among member states remains inadequate. Several countries are not on track to meet the 15% interconnection target by 2030.

To address these challenges, the European Commission has presented the European Grids Package and Energy Highways initiative. The aim is to enable a more efficient flow of energy across the EU, integrate greater volumes of renewable energy into the system, and accelerate electrification.

Jørgensen: A truly interconnected energy system is the foundation of a strong and independent Europe

The Grids Package is designed to speed up permitting and ensure a fairer distribution of costs for cross-border infrastructure. It should also improve the use of existing infrastructure and accelerate the development of networks and other physical energy assets across the EU.

Among the measures is a new mechanism that allows the commission to initiate the search for additional infrastructure projects when existing initiatives do not cover identified cross-border needs.

“A truly interconnected and integrated energy system is the foundation of a strong and independent Europe. To achieve it, we need an energy infrastructure network of cables, pipes and grids that is up to date, fully interconnected, and that enables clean, affordable, homegrown energy to flow freely and securely to every corner of our union. This is exactly what we are proposing today: a common European energy project that supports affordable living, economic competitiveness, security, and decarbonisation,” said Dan Jørgensen, European Commissioner for Energy and Housing.

Permitting reform

Slow permitting remains one of the biggest bottlenecks for energy infrastructure and renewable energy projects in the EU.
Obtaining permits for transmission infrastructure currently takes more than five years on average, while renewable energy projects may face delays of up to nine years.

The Grids Package introduces simplified and accelerated permitting procedures. The commissioners have proposed setting time limits within which decisions must be taken for all types of projects. If the competent authority fails to respond within the deadline, the permit would be considered granted.

Permits for smaller projects would be issued through faster and more streamlined procedures

Permits for smaller projects would be issued through faster and more streamlined procedures. All processes would have to be fully digitalised, and national administrations would be required to have adequate staffing and technical capacity to process applications.

The commission is proposing to move away from the current first-come, first-served model and introduce a system that ensures timely and non-discriminatory access to the grid, one that balances social acceptance and industrial competitiveness.

Public and private financing

According to the commission’s estimates, EUR 1.2 trillion in investment will be needed for Europe’s electricity grid by 2040. Distribution networks account for EUR 730 billion within the sum, compared to EUR 240 billion for hydrogen infrastructure.

The commission said additional financing tools are required, including cost-sharing arrangements, arguing that cross-border infrastructure generates benefits that extend beyond the territory in which a project is located.

Another suggested solution is the formation of project firms (special purpose vehicles – SPVs) to attract additional private investment.

Given that grid infrastructure is largely financed through network tariffs, part of the burden falls on consumers. To ease this pressure, the commission announced it would boost financial support through the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), the EU’s regular seven-year budget, including a significant expansion of the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF). The tool is designed to support investments in new cross-border energy infrastructure and upgrades or rehabilitation of existing assets.

The current 2021–2027 EU budget contained EUR 5.8 billion for cross-border projects under CEF. For the 2028–2034 period, the commission said the amount would be raised almost fivefold, to EUR 29.91 billion.

On the private side, the EU is working on its Clean Energy Investment Strategy, to launch it in 2026 by outlining measures for private sector participation including institutional investors, as well as additional support from the European Investment Bank (EIB).

Energy Highways

The Energy Highways initiative comprises eight of the EU’s largest and most critical infrastructure projects, essential for energy security, renewable energy integration, and cross-border electricity market connectivity.

They have already been already listed as Projects of Common Interest (PCI) or Projects of Mutual Interest (PMI), but under the new initiative, they would receive elevated political priority, accelerated financing, and faster permitting.

Energy Highways
Photo: European Commission

Among the projects are the reinforcement of interconnections across the Pyrenees to improve the integration of the Iberian Peninsula, the connection of Cyprus with continental Europe through the Great Sea Interconnector, as well as an upgrade of electricity links between the Baltic states, including the Harmony Link to Poland, which is essential for the full synchronisation of the region with the European grid.

The commission has also endorsed the establishment of Denmark’s hub on the island of Bornholm, which could, in the coming years, be connected to additional locations in the Baltic Sea.

Among the priorities are strengthening energy storage capacity in South-Eastern Europe

Among the priorities are strengthening energy storage capacity in South-Eastern Europe, as well as the modernisation of the Trans-Balkan Pipeline (TBP) for gas.

The list includes two hydrogen corridors. The southern one would connect Tunisia, Italy, Austria, and Germany, and the south-western corridor is a planned link between Portugal, Spain, France, and Germany. The commission has announced strong coordination and political support for the latter.

The commission views these projects as pillars of Europe’s future energy network, essential for lower electricity prices, greater system stability, and reduced dependence on fossil fuels.

In a regular legislative procedure, the proposals now move to the European Parliament and the Council of the EU for further deliberation.

Post Views:70
November 8, 2025
by in News

RE-Source Platform: Number of PPAs in Europe drops by 60%

The number of power purchase agreements in Europe decreased by 60% compared to the same period last year, while contracted capacity has dropped by 40%, according to RE-Source Platform.

Europe’s power purchase agreement (PPA) market is facing headwinds in grid development, permitting and electrification and from negative electricity prices, RE-Source Platform warned.

RE-Source Platform facilitates corporate renewable energy sourcing in Europe. It was founded by WindEurope, SolarPower Europe, Climate Group RE100, and World Business Council for Sustainable Development, and steered by a group of corporate buyers and developers.

There are four main problems

“This slowdown is very paradoxical. Europe has no path to energy security and competitiveness unless it electrifies its economy – shielding itself from energy shocks and leveraging large scale deployment of wind and solar energy. But the market is facing headwinds,” the update reads.

The platform identified four main problems.

Europe is not expanding its grid infrastructure quickly enough. The main bottleneck is grid permitting with hundreds of gigawatts of projects awaiting grid connection.

The permitting process for renewables remains too slow. The Renewable Energy Directive has set permitting rules for acceleration, but EU member states have not implemented them.

The Clean Industrial Deal rightly names PPAs as a key solution

Direct electrification is the cheapest and most efficient way to decarbonize. It could also improve competitiveness and energy security, however Europe’s electrification rates are stagnating.

The increase of the negative price hours is making PPA negotiations harder. The way out are energy storage solutions.

The platform stressed the importance of PPAs.

“The Clean Industrial Deal rightly names PPAs as a key solution. Without them, we risk losing industrial competitiveness – and missing our climate targets. PPAs are a cornerstone of Europe’s industrial decarbonization,” the platform added.

They also give companies price certainty, help new wind and solar projects get financed and cut buyers’ exposure to volatile energy markets, according to the update.

Post Views:83
October 30, 2025
by in News

Croatia finally close to removing major obstacle to investments in renewables

After three years of delays, Croatia is finally close to adopting a methodology for the calculation of the grid connection fee for renewable power plants. Investors have repeatedly urged the authorities to enact the document, arguing it was the main obstacle to investments in renewable energy sources.

The Croatian Energy Regulatory Agency (HERA) said it has developed a draft methodology for determining the electricity grid connection fee. The public discussion, which began on October 23, lasts until November 21.

According to HERA, the effect of required investments in the transmission network on the network usage fee depends on the share of the connection fee in the total costs of developing the high and very high voltage network, as well as on the amount of grants.

It is possible to connect to the grid even before all technical conditions are met

The effect on the network usage fee will become evident when the relevant network reinforcements are completed, for example, in 10 to 15 years, the agency said.

The costs of developing the transmission network to achieve goals from the National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP) will be financed partly from the grid connection fee and partly from the network usage fee.

HERA pointed out that the legislative framework allows network users to connect even before all technical conditions met, by signing flexible connection agreements, which envisage the possibility of operational restrictions regarding connection capacity.

Personnel decisions have delayed the process of determining the fee

The Renewable Energy Sources of Croatia (RES Croatia) association repeatedly warned that the failure to determine the grid connection fee has halted projects worth around EUR 3 billion overall.

In mid-September, together with SolarPower Europe and WindEurope, RES Croatia sent a letter to the European Commission to raise concerns about the crisis in the country’s renewable energy sector.

According to domestic media, one of the main reasons for the delay in determining the grid connection fee was that HERA’s Management Board was incomplete for two years.

Post Views:105
October 30, 2025
by in News

Webinar summary: How to design PV and BESS in the Balkans faster and smarter with RatedPower software

RatedPower, a leading provider of software for PV plant and BESS design and engineering, has organized a webinar to present its solutions that make it faster and easier for developers and contractors to design and build PV and battery storage facilities, helping increase their efficiency and profitability. The online event included a step-by-step demonstration of how RatedPower’s cloud-based software tool creates simulations of PV plants, battery energy storage systems (BESS), and hybrid facilities to assess costs, performance, and profitability under various scenarios. The hosts also answered questions such as whether the software can be used for rooftop solar, how it accounts for terrain, what financial aspects it considers, and how user-friendly it is for non-technical staff. A recording of the webinar is available at this link.

The webinar opened with an overview of the main challenges that solar and BESS projects face in the Balkans, but also elsewhere in the world. These include a lack of collaboration between teams, difficulty finding investors for projects in the ready-to-build stage, insufficient documentation needed for permitting, lengthy manual calculations, and poor decision-making in feasibility studies.

Addressing common challenges in the Balkans

RatedPower was created precisely to address these problems, and today it provides services for a wide range of companies in the solar and BESS market, including well-known international players, it was explained at the webinar, hosted by Emil Trepin, Account Executive at RatedPower.

The company decided to expand to the Balkans because it is one of the fastest-growing regions in Europe when it comes to renewable energy projects. This, it was explained, is thanks to energy transition efforts, grid modernization, investment momentum, and state support for renewables across the region.

Much more than an engineering tool

RatedPower, part of Enverus, a global software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform for the energy sector, offers a cloud-based tool for designing ground-mounted PV plants of 1 MW and above, and up to 3-4 GW, as well as hybrid systems (PV plus BESS) and standalone battery storage projects.

The platform creates the fastest simulations in the industry, reducing design and engineering time by up to 90%, while helping increase project profitability by about 20%. It generates over 400 pages of ready-to-use documents, including bills of quantities, single-line diagrams, business plans, and much more.

The tool reduces design and engineering time by up to 90%

RatedPower’s software is much more than an engineering tool – it is a decision-making platform that combines the simulation of technical design, energy yield, and financial analysis, according to the hosts.

A step-by-step demonstration of how the platform works

During the demonstration, Matteo Menazzi, Technical Advisor at RatedPower, explained how the platform is used in practice. Since it is cloud-based, it can be accessed from any web browser and used simultaneously by several people working on the same project or on multiple projects.

The first step is to select a location on the map, taking into account various restrictions, such as roads, forests, and archaeological sites, and then add PV arrays, BESS, and other equipment.

Equipment, such as PV modules or battery containers, is selected from a pre-filled database or uploaded manually. The software then creates a full simulation in a matter of seconds, allowing users to test different modules or equipment and compare results.

Solar modules, batteries, and other equipment can be selected from a pre-filled database

In the layout phase, users can set the distance between rows, adapt the configuration to the terrain slope, and estimate the scope and cost of necessary earthworks.

The software also allows the customization of grid connection parameters, including voltage levels and line types (underground or overhead). It then automatically estimates substation size and electrical losses, and calculates the necessary cable lengths.

It calculates the amount of electricity that can be produced and injected into the grid, as well as financial performance. In addition, a large number of documents is automatically generated – from hourly energy yield and battery performance results to lists of necessary cables, bills of quantities, and 2D and 3D drawings.

Designs can be edited and saved as templates for future projects

It is important to note that any design created with the RatedPower software can be edited by moving, adding, or removing elements. Also, all inputs can be saved as a template, which can be used for another project, saving considerable time.

Designing battery storage systems with RatedPower

When it comes to batteries, users can choose a power conversion system and battery containers from the database, define the number of BESS blocks and their layout, and adjust the distances between containers to comply with fire safety regulations. They can also customize charging and discharging efficiency and use the optimization algorithm to adjust operations for maximum profitability.

It is also possible to choose between a fixed and a variable price. For variable prices, the software will upload the day-ahead price for the relevant market or allow users to upload their own price. The tool will also recommend the most profitable time to sell electricity.

Users can also choose whether to charge the batteries only from the PV plant or from the grid as well.

The software provides project cost estimates based on standard values or the user’s input

In the financial segment, RatedPower’s software will estimate the total cost of building a PV plant or battery system, based on standard values provided by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and the US National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).

However, input values can also be fully customized by the user, based on the price of solar modules, BESS units, or cables.

If you want to know more about RatedPower’s software, request a demo today.

Post Views:58
October 3, 2025
by in News

Batteries totaling 5,899 MWh in grid connection procedure in Serbia

Investors in Serbia are obtaining approvals for connecting their planned battery energy storage systems of an overall 2,021 MW and 5,899 MWh to the grid. The projects are for standalone batteries and ones that would be co-located with power plants.

Battery energy storage systems (BESS) are rapidly expanding worldwide, and Southeast Europe is no exception. European Union member states in the region such as Bulgaria and Romania are making major strides, while the other countries are trying to catch up. For example, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia.

As of September 29, Serbia’s transmission system operator (TSO) Elektromreža Srbije (EMS) received a total of 12 applications for the development of connection studies for standalone BESS, Nebojša Vučinić, manager of the Development Division of EMS, told Balkan Green Energy News.

Two applications were submitted in January for the study development interval of March 1 to June 30, 2025, and ten more were received for the current interval, which lasts from September 1 to December 31. Out of the first two applications, the one from Green BESS KV is no longer valid, because the firm didn’t submit a bank guarantee.

EMS develops connection studies every year in two intervals.

The following companies are in the process of connecting standalone BESS:

  • MKBDP Energy
  • Green Land New Energy
  • Green Mountain New Energy
  • BP WPP
  • Blue BESS KV
  • Red BESS KV
  • Yellow BESS KV
  • ENLIGHTNES PV OPERATIONS
  • ENLIGHTNES PV PARK
  • Gridflex

As for the status of their applications, MKBDP Energy has submitted a bank guarantee, and the signing of the grid connection contract is expected.

For the other ten requests, the grid connection studies are underway. They are expected to be completed by December 31.

Standalone storage facilities are planned in Valjevo, Vranje, Subotica, Kovačica, Vršac, Leskovac, Kragujevac, Kruševac, Jagodina, and Ćuprija.

A total of 55 battery projects are in the connection procedure

The 11 standalone storage projects amount to 1,072.66 MW and 2,981.98 MWh altogether, Vučinić said.

The 44 storage facilities that would be co-located with power plants utilizing variable renewable energy sources would have 948.46 MW and 2,917.31 MWh, as stipulated in the Law on the Use of Renewable Energy Sources.

All battery storage projects in the grid connection process amount to 2,021.12 MW and 5,899.29 MWh, Vučinić stressed.

MKBDP Energy’s project has advanced the most in the connection process

According to Vučinić, implementation of BESS projects depends on the progress that an investor achieves. Currently, MKBDP Energy’s investment has passed the most milestones in the connection process, he added.

EMS noted that the grid connection process for standalone battery storage is defined by the Law on Energy and bylaws.

The deployment of standalone batteries complements the integration of power plants running on variable renewable sources

The state-owned company sees no obstacles to integrating standalone BESS into the transmission system. The TSO expressed commitment to assisting investors while maintaining the safety of the entire power system’s operation.

EMS also called the increase in applications for standalone batteries a positive development.

The emergence of standalone batteries complements the integration of power plants utilizing variable renewable energy, and since a large number of such power plants are expected to be connected, the integration of standalone storage helps the power system’s flexibility and safety, Vučinić underlined.

Post Views:32
September 18, 2025
by in News

RES Croatia to Brussels: Renewables have no future in Croatia

RES Croatia, together with SolarPower Europe and WindEurope, has sent a letter to the European Commission to raise concerns about the crisis in Croatia’s renewable energy sector.

The three associations emphasized that for several years, 60 projects for investments in solar, wind, geothermal, and batteries have been blocked, and that if nothing is done, many of them would soon be abandoned.

Without urgent deblocking of renewable energy projects, Croatia will lose investments, increase fossil fuel imports, which already exceed 25%, and miss the European Union’s and national target of at least 42.5% of energy consumption coming from renewables by 2030, according to Renewable Energy Sources of Croatia (RES Croatia), SolarPower Europe and WindEurope.

The national organization warned that the government is gradually phasing out subsidies for electricity prices for citizens and entrepreneurs. At the same time, the development of renewable energy sources as the only sustainable solution for lower bills and lowering imports is at a complete standstill, it added.

Projects with a total capacity of 3.5 GW and investments of EUR 3 billion are blocked

Croatia is currently subject to infringement proceedings due to delays in implementing the European Union’s RED II and RED III directive. They aren’t just a piece of paper, but a mechanism to ensure energy security and independence, which is of strategic interest for Croatia and its citizens, RES Croatia underscored.

The organizations are urging the European Commission to use its tools to demand from the government to determine the grid connection fee, but at EUR 0 per kWh, open up the balancing market for renewable energy producers, and integrate battery energy storage systems (BESS) and electrification into national planning.

Currently, 60 projects for solar power plants, wind farms, geothermal power plants, and batteries with a total capacity of 3.5 GW and investments of EUR 3 billion are blocked, according to the letter, accompanied by an annex.

The domestic industry is unable to sign long-term PPAs

For these projects, the state has already charged EUR 25 million through energy approvals— the first in a series of documents that requires payment to the state, which, due to the blockage, are beginning to expire at the end of this year.

Organizations stressed that these projects are permanently losing the paid money, while local communities are losing significant revenues that would have been allocated to them from the implementation of renewable energy projects.

They also drew attention to the domestic industry’s inability to sign long-term power purchase agreements (PPAs) with renewable energy producers, securing more favorable market conditions and thereby increasing its competitiveness in European and global markets.

Of note, the European Commission advised Croatia in June to speed up the installation of renewable energy capacities.

If nothing is done, projects of as much as 2.5 GW overall will be abandoned as early as next week

The associations pointed out that the development of new projects larger than 10 MW has stalled since 2022 because the Croatian Energy Regulatory Agency (HERA) has not set a transmission network connection fee for renewable power plants.

Instead, they added, Croatia’s transmission system operator (TSO) HOPS is trying to shift the costs of network modernization – planned over ten years ago and not related to new projects – to new renewable energy projects.

The minister of economy said in March that the upcoming connection fee would be EUR 0 per kW

It is increasing the project cost by 30% to 40%, making them unprofitable, RES Croatia said.

Such a model for financing the network is not from European practice, because 80% of member states rely on EU funds and their national budgets, rather than on producers.

They also recalled that the minister of economy announced in March that a connection fee would be set at EUR 0 per kW and that developers would be offered flexible contracts to encourage investment in battery storage. But that promise has not yet been fulfilled.

The three organizations warn that if nothing is done, projects of up to 2.5 GW altogether would be abandoned as early as next week after HOPS’s decision,. It means companies would withdraw from the Croatian market and lose millions in investments that would have permanently lowered energy prices in the country, RES Croatia claimed.

The balancing market is not functional

An additional problem is the non-functional balancing market, according to the letter.

HEP Proizvodnja, a subsidiary of state-owned utility Hrvatska Elektroprivreda (HEP), is the dominant provider of balancing services, and often the only one. HOPS is legally obliged to ensure market-based procurement of these services, yet it is itself a wholly owned subsidiary of HEP.

It creates an obvious conflict of interest and undermines market competition, the signatories underlined.

“Despite the demonstrated technical ability of solar and wind power plants to provide balancing services, HOPS doesn’t allow these plants to participate in balancing markets. As a result, HOPS frequently activates extremely expensive balancing resources, often at maximum regulated prices even during hours of high renewable generation and positive market prices,” the letter reads.

Croatia has no serious electrification plan

The organizations pointed out that such pricing constitutes a clear violation of the EU principle that balancing services must reflect only the actual costs incurred by the TSO.

They also stressed that Croatia lacks a concrete electrification plan. In 2022, renewable energy accounted for only 2.4% of final energy consumption in transport, with electricity from renewables contributing just 0.2%.

The target for renewable electricity in transport by 2030 is only 5.8%, reflecting limited ambition compared to the EU ambitions, according to the letter.

Electrification of railways could significantly reduce emissions and accelerate the transition, however, it remains an untapped potential, the signatories organizations noted.

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September 16, 2025
by in News

Nine times more licenses in Greece than grid capacity

Licensed renewable energy projects in Greece currently stand at about 90 GW. New submissions have been falling sharply.

According to latest data from the Regulatory Authority for Energy, Waste and Water (RAAEY or RAEWW), a total of more than 110 GW has been licensed across all renewable technologies. Photovoltaics have the lion’s share, with 74.4 GW and wind followed with 25.1 GW.

The regulator has already paused or cancelled 41.8 GW of immature or frozen investments, bringing the active total to 76.9 GW. It includes 29.8 GW in wind farms and 44.8 GW in all types of solar.

There also also investments in renewables plus storage, which amount to about 24 GW at various stages. It means that now 92 GW of renewable electricity projects have permits. There is 15 GW in operation, 15 GW with final connection terms, and another 50 GW waiting in line after completing the first regulatory steps. The rest is still at the initial stage.

RAAEY also said available space in the grid is currently 19 GW and that is expected to reach 30 GW by 2030. Therefore, the ratio between potential projects and what the grid can accommodate is about nine to one.

Applications slow down to a trickle

The congestion has been noticed by investors, who have significantly slowed down their applications in recent years. RAAEY’s head of renewable energy and storage Ioannis Charalampidis recalled that in the licensing cycle of December 2020, projects representing 45.5 GW were submitted. This June they were only 1.2 GW.

It is especially evident in photovoltaics, where applications fell from 36.3 GW to some 50 MW. Wind is also affected, with 65% less capacity in submissions than last year

In addition to the large licensing queue, the sector faces delays and red tape. More than three years have passed since the last auction for subsidized renewables projects, from which about 1 GW has not yet been completed.

The sector raises red tape and competition issues

The issue was raised, at RAAEY’s conference last week, by Hellenic Wind Energy Association’s (HWEA or ELETAEN) General Director Panagiotis Papastamatiou. He said the problem lies with small local governing bodies, which either lack the means or the will to do their job properly. He called for centralization, so that one public body can handle the necessary permits.

POSPIEF: “Genocide” for smaller producers

The Hellenic Photovoltaics Union (POSPIEF), which represents small and medium solar investors, spoke of “genocide” in the sector. Chairman Giannis Panagis accused the government of only supporting large producers, leading to distortion of competition and a wave of smaller projects being abandoned or sold. He added that big players enjoy benefits, such as extensions, while small ones are pushed out of the market.

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