January 9, 2026
by in News

After adding PV unit, Slovenian gas power plant TEB launches battery project

The management of the Brestanica gas power plant in Slovenia has decided to diversify its activities by installing a battery energy storage system (BESS) of 40 MW in operating power and 80 MWh in capacity. The project follows the construction of a ground-mounted solar power plant on the facility’s premises and photovoltaic units on roofs and a parking canopy.

Brestanica Thermal Power Plant – Termoelektrarna Brestanica (TEB) is contributing to the flexibility of Slovenia’s energy system with its investments, Naš stik reported. Due to preventive maintenance and rapid response, electricity output reached 35 GWh in 2025, compared to the planned 25 GWh, the report adds.

The firm issued its development strategy for 2025 to 2030 last year and, based on it, decided to launch a project for a two-hour 40 MW battery energy storage system. It translates to 80 MWh in capacity.

The project will strengthen the flexibility of the energy system, enable more efficient integration of renewable sources and confirm TEB’s focus on modern and sustainable solutions, the article adds. “With the investment in the battery storage facility, we are laying the foundations for a reliable and flexible energy future,” Brestanica Thermal Power Plant said.

Among the other priorities for this year are corporate and cybersecurity.

Brestanica Thermal Power Plant is part of state-owned GEN Group. GEN energija, their parent company, operates the Krško nuclear power plant, also known by the acronym NEK and, in Slovenian, JEK. The gas power plant is also in the municipality of Krško, near Slovenia’s border with Croatia.

TEB put into operation a ground-mounted 466 kW solar power plant on its premises last year. Before that, in 2009 and 2010, the gas plant’s operator built two rooftop PV units and one on a parking canopy. They have 170 kW in combined peak capacity.

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January 9, 2026
by in News

New auction announced in Greece for 600 MW for electricity for vulnerable households

The Greek government specified terms and conditions for participation in a new kind of renewable energy auction, covering both wind and solar energy.

The auction comes as part of the Apollo initiative, aimed at reducing energy costs for vulnerable households across the country and fighting energy poverty. In total, 200 MW of solar plus batteries and 400 MW of wind will be auctioned.

Wind power projects of at least 60 kW may participate, with no limit set for photovoltaics. All applicants must have final connection terms from the distribution or transmission operator. Their remuneration will be based on a contract for difference (CfD). Investors can also gain a grant from European Union programs, the National Development Plan or other sources, according to the decree.

This will be a single-step static auction, with the offer price ceiling set at EUR 80 per MWh for wind projects and EUR 75 per MWh for photovoltaics with battery storage.

Equally important, the competition level is 40%, meaning that 60% of the offered capacity will be awarded up to a maximum of 600 MW. On top of that, at least three projects from different investors must participate in the process. Furthermore, no participant can apply for more than 25% of the total offered capacity, to ensure a level playing field.

Steep timeframe for selected projects

Concerning next steps, the Regulatory Authority for Energy, Waste and Water (RAEWW or RAAEY) is expected to officially proclaim the auction in the next few weeks, before the end of January. The regulator will also specify the letter of guarantee investors will have to submit, as well as the rest of the details. The submission of offers is expected to last by the end of February.

The ministry said the construction of solar farms with batteries must be completed by the end of 2027, while wind farms need to come online by September 2028.

Consumers who will benefit from cheaper renewable electricity will be notified via their power suppliers about their eligibility.

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January 9, 2026
by in News

New auction announced in Greece for 600 MW for electricity for vulnerable households

The Greek government specified terms and conditions for participation in a new kind of renewable energy auction, covering both wind and solar energy.

The auction comes as part of the Apollo initiative, aimed at reducing energy costs for vulnerable households across the country and fighting energy poverty. In total, 200 MW of solar plus batteries and 400 MW of wind will be auctioned.

Wind power projects of at least 60 kW may participate, with no limit set for photovoltaics. All applicants must have final connection terms from the distribution or transmission operator. Their remuneration will be based on a contract for difference (CfD). Investors can also gain a grant from European Union programs, the National Development Plan or other sources, according to the decree.

This will be a single-step static auction, with the offer price ceiling set at EUR 80 per MWh for wind projects and EUR 75 per MWh for photovoltaics with battery storage.

Equally important, the competition level is 40%, meaning that 60% of the offered capacity will be awarded up to a maximum of 600 MW. On top of that, at least three projects from different investors must participate in the process. Furthermore, no participant can apply for more than 25% of the total offered capacity, to ensure a level playing field.

Steep timeframe for selected projects

Concerning next steps, the Regulatory Authority for Energy, Waste and Water (RAEWW or RAAEY) is expected to officially proclaim the auction in the next few weeks, before the end of January. The regulator will also specify the letter of guarantee investors will have to submit, as well as the rest of the details. The submission of offers is expected to last by the end of February.

The ministry said the construction of solar farms with batteries must be completed by the end of 2027, while wind farms need to come online by September 2028.

Consumers who will benefit from cheaper renewable electricity will be notified via their power suppliers about their eligibility.

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January 8, 2026
by in News

After adding PV unit, Slovenian gas power plant TEB launches battery project

The management of the Brestanica gas power plant in Slovenia has decided to diversify its activities by installing a battery energy storage system (BESS) of 40 MW in operating power and 80 MWh in capacity. The project follows the construction of a ground-mounted solar power plant on the facility’s premises and photovoltaic units on roofs and a parking canopy.

Brestanica Thermal Power Plant – Termoelektrarna Brestanica (TEB) is contributing to the flexibility of Slovenia’s energy system with its investments, Naš stik reported. Due to preventive maintenance and rapid response, electricity output reached 35 GWh in 2025, compared to the planned 25 GWh, the report adds.

The firm issued its development strategy for 2025 to 2030 last year and, based on it, decided to launch a project for a two-hour 40 MW battery energy storage system. It translates to 80 MWh in capacity.

The project will strengthen the flexibility of the energy system, enable more efficient integration of renewable sources and confirm TEB’s focus on modern and sustainable solutions, the article adds. “With the investment in the battery storage facility, we are laying the foundations for a reliable and flexible energy future,” Brestanica Thermal Power Plant said.

Among the other priorities for this year are corporate and cybersecurity.

Brestanica Thermal Power Plant is part of state-owned GEN Group. GEN energija, their parent company, operates the Krško nuclear power plant, also known by the acronym NEK and, in Slovenian, JEK. The gas power plant is also in the municipality of Krško, near Slovenia’s border with Croatia.

TEB put into operation a ground-mounted 466 kW solar power plant on its premises last year. Before that, in 2009 and 2010, the gas plant’s operator built two rooftop PV units and one on a parking canopy. They have 170 kW in combined peak capacity.

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January 8, 2026
by in News

D.Trading to offtake 200 MW of solar in PPA with Econergy in Romania

D.Trading, the pan-European trading arm of DTEK Group, signed a renewable electricity offtake deal for 200 MW of installed solar power capacity in Romania with renewable energy developer and operator Econergy. The power purchase agreement (PPA) includes the country’s largest photovoltaic plant.

D.Trading announced that it would purchase electricity from solar power plants Rătești and Părău in Romania. The deal for Econergy’s assets is for 200 MW. The PPA reflects growing market demand for structured renewable offtake products and marks an important milestone in the commercialisation of the two photovoltaic facilities, the announcement adds.

“Partnering with leading companies such as Econergy supports our long-term strategy of expanding renewable energy integration across the region. This agreement strengthens our green power portfolio and represents another step more towards becoming the leading provider of solutions for renewable assets and battery storage in Eastern Europe,” said Head of D.Trading Power Desk EU Stanislav Dudka.

The company operates in Central, Eastern, and Southeastern Europe. D.Trading is the pan-European trading arm of DTEK Group, which also owns DRI.

Econergy is planning to add a 120 MW battery energy storage system to its Rătești solar power plant

As Romania’s power market continues to evolve, shaped by price volatility, regulatory development, and the growing need for flexible solutions to support grid stability, Econergy has successfully executed multiple bankable commercial agreements, the update reads.

Rătești, Romania’s largest solar power plant, was completed in late 2023. The facility northwest of Bucharest, in Argeș county, has 155 MW in peak capacity. Econergy is planning to add a 120 MW battery energy storage system.

Părău was commissioned in late 2024. The PV plant of 92 MW is in Brașov county in the central part of Romania.

The Părău 2 project is for 342 MW, together with 150 MW of battery storage. It won a 15-year contract for difference (CfD) at the country’s first round of renewable energy auctions.

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January 7, 2026
by in News

Electrica issues call for contractors for large PV parks in Romania

Romanian electricity supplier and distributor Electrica, in which the government holds almost 50%, published tenders via its subsidiaries for the second time for ready-to-build solar power projects. The peak capacities are 62.5 MW and 77.6 MW, and the second investment also involves battery storage. The company launched production in November at its Satu Mare 2 solar power plant, also known as Sunwind, of 27 MW.

Companies with the most advantageous offers from the technical and economic point of view will get the contracts for the construction of photovoltaic systems Satu Mare 3 and Bihor 1. Electrica, the investor, issued both calls a year ago, but canceled them in the meantime.

The Romanian Government owns 49.8% of the company, a power supplier and distributor, which also invests in renewables.

Electrica’s subsidiary New Trend Energy is responsible for the Satu Mare 3 project, of 62.5 MW in peak capacity. It is located in the commune of Doba in the Satu Mare county in the northwest. Inverters would enable the delivery of 57.9 MW to the grid.

The investment is estimated at RON 176.6 million (EUR 34.7 million) excluding value-added tax. Electrica expects to generate 70.2 MWh per annum. The deadline for applications is February 17.

BESS project is for 16.5 MWh in capacity and a 4 MW in operating power

Foton Power Energy, another subsidiary of Electrica, is seeking a contractor for a turnkey deal for Bihor 1. The PV plant would have 77.6 MW in peak capacity, and 77.4 MW in alternating current terms. It would consist of Trina’s bifacial solar panels of 595 W each.

The selected company will need to build a battery energy storage system as well, together with a transformer and fences, according to the document.

Both projects, with sites in northwestern Romania, have won subsidies from the Modernisation Fund

The BESS project is for 16.5 MWh in capacity and a 4 MW in operating power, earlier documents show. It would consist of eight Huawei units with a nominal size of 2.06 MWh each, the special purpose vehicle said. The project envisages the possibility of expansion of the battery storage facility to 75 MW and 150 MWh.

Total expected annual output amounts to 87.5 GWh. Foton Power Energy estimated the project at RON 220 million without VAT, which is EUR 43.2 million. Its site is in the communes of Cefa and Mădăraș in Bihor county, also in Romania’s northwest. Interested firms can submit bids by February 12.

Both Satu Mare 3 and Bihor 1 received state support via the European Union’s Modernisation Fund.

Electrica completed its third PV plant last month

In November, the company completed its Satu Mare 2 solar farm of 27 MW in peak capacity. The project firm is called Sunwind Energy. Electrica also operates PV plants Stănești and Vuturul with peak capacities at 7.5 MW and 12 MW, respectively.

The Crucea Est wind power project, worth eur 253 million, is for up to 138 MW and a BESS of 15 MW and 60 MWh.

In the report on the first nine months of 2025, Electrica wrote that it was developing four energy storage projects of 169.5 MWh altogether. In mid-October it initiated the procedures for 15 BESS facilities of 1 GWh in total.

Before that, in early September, the company signed a memorandum of understanding with Romgaz on the development of 400 MW in solar and storage. Electrica would be the main partner and the other company would hold a minority interest.

The projects are financed from a green bond issuance, which was the largest in Romania.

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January 7, 2026
by in News

China completes grid connection of world’s largest open sea PV plant

CHN Energy declared a 1 GW solar power system that it built off the coast of China’s Shandong province, on the open sea, fully connected to the grid. The facility consists of steel truss platforms on bottom-fixed piles. Just in the past month, the state-owned company commissioned solar power plants of 600 MW and 425 MW, a coal power station of 4 GW and China’s largest gas power unit.

China continues to dominate the energy realm with the world’s largest projects and innovative design. The latest example, on the open sea, is eight kilometers from Kenli district in the city of Dongying in the country’s east. It is a giant solar power plant, but not a floating one.

The Shandong Dongying Kenli (Guohua HG14) facility is on steel truss platforms on bottom-fixed piles. China Energy Investment Corp., also known as CHN Energy, declared the photovoltaic system fully connected to the grid. The initial project of the state-owned enterprise was for 1 GW.

China State Construction Engineering Corp. (CSCEC) so far installed 930 platforms out of 2,934 planned. Each is on four piles, at water depth of one to four meters.

The project on the open sea off Shandong province spans 1,223 hectares. Its developer is CHN Energy’s subsidiary Guohua Energy Investment Co.

Project involves 100 MW in battery storage

According to the latest reports, Guohua HG14 consists of bifacial double-glass modules of 710 W and the annual output, when the facility is completed, is estimated at 1.78 TWh. In earlier updates, 2.37 million monocrystalline solar panels of 550 W each were planned, translating to 1.3 GW in peak capacity. Total investment was valued at CNY 8.1 billion (USD 1.16 billion).

The company reportedly switched to stronger, bifacial solar modules for the project offshore Dongying

The offshore solar power plant on the open sea is connected to the mainland grid with a 66 kV cable. Its first segment came online in November 2024. The project involves a battery energy storage system of 100 MW in capability and 200 MWh in capacity.

Giant solar plant comes online at altitude of 3,000 meters

Just in the past month, CHN Energy commissioned several landmark facilities. A new 600 MW solar power plant is in the Xinjiang province in the west, in Qitai county, near the border with Mongolia.

The company completed another PV system, of 425 MW, via Qinghai Gonghe Co. Part of a 1 GW project with storage, called Guoneng Canadian Solar Hainan, it is located in Gonghe county in Qinghai Province. It is at an altitude of 3,000 meters and above.

Just last week, CHN Energy put into operation the fourth and last 1 GW unit of its coal-fired Guangxi Beihai Power Plant. The complex in Guangxi province in southern China includes a 27.3 MW solar power plant for electric car chargers.

The utility has also launched regular production of the first of two units in its gas power plant Anji in Zhejiang province. It is the largest and most efficient in the country, CHN Energy pointed out. When the second unit comes online in early 2026, the power plant will have 1.69 GW in capacity.

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January 5, 2026
by in News

Electrica issues call for contractors for large PV parks in Romania

Romanian electricity supplier and distributor Electrica, in which the government holds almost 50%, published tenders via its subsidiaries for the second time for ready-to-build solar power projects. The peak capacities are 62.5 MW and 77.6 MW, and the second investment also involves battery storage. The company launched production in November at its Satu Mare 2 solar power plant, also known as Sunwind, of 27 MW.

Companies with the most advantageous offers from the technical and economic point of view will get the contracts for the construction of photovoltaic systems Satu Mare 3 and Bihor 1. Electrica, the investor, issued both calls a year ago, but canceled them in the meantime.

The Romanian Government owns 49.8% of the company, a power supplier and distributor, which also invests in renewables.

Electrica’s subsidiary New Trend Energy is responsible for the Satu Mare 3 project, of 62.5 MW in peak capacity. It is located in the commune of Doba in the Satu Mare county in the northwest. Inverters would enable the delivery of 57.9 MW to the grid.

The investment is estimated at RON 176.6 million (EUR 34.7 million) excluding value-added tax. Electrica expects to generate 70.2 MWh per annum. The deadline for applications is February 17.

BESS project is for 16.5 MWh in capacity and a 4 MW in operating power

Foton Power Energy, another subsidiary of Electrica, is seeking a contractor for a turnkey deal for Bihor 1. The PV plant would have 77.6 MW in peak capacity, and 77.4 MW in alternating current terms. It would consist of Trina’s bifacial solar panels of 595 W each.

The selected company will need to build a battery energy storage system as well, together with a transformer and fences, according to the document.

Both projects, with sites in northwestern Romania, have won subsidies from the Modernisation Fund

The BESS project is for 16.5 MWh in capacity and a 4 MW in operating power, earlier documents show. It would consist of eight Huawei units with a nominal size of 2.06 MWh each, the special purpose vehicle said. The project envisages the possibility of expansion of the battery storage facility to 75 MW and 150 MWh.

Total expected annual output amounts to 87.5 GWh. Foton Power Energy estimated the project at RON 220 million without VAT, which is EUR 43.2 million. Its site is in the communes of Cefa and Mădăraș in Bihor county, also in Romania’s northwest. Interested firms can submit bids by February 12.

Both Satu Mare 3 and Bihor 1 received state support via the European Union’s Modernisation Fund.

Electrica completed its third PV plant last month

In November, the company completed its Satu Mare 2 solar farm of 27 MW in peak capacity. The project firm is called Sunwind Energy. Electrica also operates PV plants Stănești and Vuturul with peak capacities at 7.5 MW and 12 MW, respectively.

The Crucea Est wind power project, worth eur 253 million, is for up to 138 MW and a BESS of 15 MW and 60 MWh.

In the report on the first nine months of 2025, Electrica wrote that it was developing four energy storage projects of 169.5 MWh altogether. In mid-October it initiated the procedures for 15 BESS facilities of 1 GWh in total.

Before that, in early September, the company signed a memorandum of understanding with Romgaz on the development of 400 MW in solar and storage. Electrica would be the main partner and the other company would hold a minority interest.

The projects are financed from a green bond issuance, which was the largest in Romania.

Post Views:83
January 5, 2026
by in News

China completes grid connection of world’s largest open sea PV plant

CHN Energy declared a 1 GW solar power system that it built off the coast of China’s Shandong province, on the open sea, fully connected to the grid. The facility consists of steel truss platforms on bottom-fixed piles. Just in the past month, the state-owned company commissioned solar power plants of 600 MW and 425 MW, a coal power station of 4 GW and China’s largest gas power unit.

China continues to dominate the energy realm with the world’s largest projects and innovative design. The latest example, on the open sea, is eight kilometers from Kenli district in the city of Dongying in the country’s east. It is a giant solar power plant, but not a floating one.

The Shandong Dongying Kenli (Guohua HG14) facility is on steel truss platforms on bottom-fixed piles. China Energy Investment Corp., also known as CHN Energy, declared the photovoltaic system fully connected to the grid. The initial project of the state-owned enterprise was for 1 GW.

China State Construction Engineering Corp. (CSCEC) so far installed 930 platforms out of 2,934 planned. Each is on four piles, at water depth of one to four meters.

The project on the open sea off Shandong province spans 1,223 hectares. Its developer is CHN Energy’s subsidiary Guohua Energy Investment Co.

Project involves 100 MW in battery storage

According to the latest reports, Guohua HG14 consists of bifacial double-glass modules of 710 W and the annual output, when the facility is completed, is estimated at 1.78 TWh. In earlier updates, 2.37 million monocrystalline solar panels of 550 W each were planned, translating to 1.3 GW in peak capacity. Total investment was valued at CNY 8.1 billion (USD 1.16 billion).

The company reportedly switched to stronger, bifacial solar modules for the project offshore Dongying

The offshore solar power plant on the open sea is connected to the mainland grid with a 66 kV cable. Its first segment came online in November 2024. The project involves a battery energy storage system of 100 MW in capability and 200 MWh in capacity.

Giant solar plant comes online at altitude of 3,000 meters

Just in the past month, CHN Energy commissioned several landmark facilities. A new 600 MW solar power plant is in the Xinjiang province in the west, in Qitai county, near the border with Mongolia.

The company completed another PV system, of 425 MW, via Qinghai Gonghe Co. Part of a 1 GW project with storage, called Guoneng Canadian Solar Hainan, it is located in Gonghe county in Qinghai Province. It is at an altitude of 3,000 meters and above.

Just last week, CHN Energy put into operation the fourth and last 1 GW unit of its coal-fired Guangxi Beihai Power Plant. The complex in Guangxi province in southern China includes a 27.3 MW solar power plant for electric car chargers.

The utility has also launched regular production of the first of two units in its gas power plant Anji in Zhejiang province. It is the largest and most efficient in the country, CHN Energy pointed out. When the second unit comes online in early 2026, the power plant will have 1.69 GW in capacity.

Post Views:705
January 4, 2026
by in News

Athens International Airport builds biggest photovoltaic-BESS plant

Athens International Airport (AIA) Eleftherios Venizelos completed its comprehensive energy makeover program. It is now operating a photovoltaic facility of 51.5 MW and a battery energy storage system of 82 MWh. It is the largest hybrid power plant of its kind within the premises of any airport in Europe and, reportedly, even the entire world.

At the same time, the Bucharest Henri Coandă International Airport is about to build 12.6 MW in peak PV capacity and a BESS of 17.9 MWh, in the first phase of a larger project.

Following European and global trends, airports in Southeastern Europe are introducing resource, waste and wastewater management systems. Energy is the largest segment of the decarbonization push. With the completion of its Route 2025 program, Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos covered all its electricity needs with photovoltaics, becoming the only such airport in Europe.

In the groundbreaking project, the operator extended the existing solar power plant by 35.5 MW in peak capacity, reaching 51.5 MW, and added a battery energy storage system. The facility has 124 MWh in nominal capacity, of which 82 MWh is usable.

The hybrid system is the largest of its kind inside the fence of any airport in Europe, while the Greek press has even called it the largest in the world. Some of the world’s largest airports are set to follow soon. For instance, IGA Istanbul Airport is investing EUR 212 million in an external solar power plant of 199.3 MW, in Eskişehir.

Athens International Airport builds biggest photovoltaic BESS plant
Photo: Athens International Airport

Hybrid power plant to keep Athens International Airport at net zero through 2046

AIA’s PV-BESS plant will generate an estimated 88 GWh per year, which is equivalent to the consumption of 22,000 households. The storage system is only for self-consumption. Importantly, the hybrid system can cover the entire planned expansion up to 2046, when the concession period ends.

AviAlliance, which controls 50.2% of the public-private partnership, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Public Sector Pension Investment Board (PSP Investments) from Canada. The government holds 25.6% through Superfund, officially Growthfund – The National Fund of Greece.

AIA launched Route 2025 six years ago, with the aim to cut net greenhouse gas emissions to zero by the end of this year. It compares to the 2050 net zero goal of the European airports sector.

The Route 2025 program was worth EUR 70 million

The investments totaled EUR 70 million. A significant portion was financed through loans from the European Union’s Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), the update adds.

Heat pumps have eliminated the need for natural gas in buildings at AIA in normal winter conditions. The electric vehicle fleet consists of 19 buses, 13 follow-me vehicles and 29 vans. A network of chargers also serves passenger cars.

“In the airport company, we operate on the basis of the principle that sustainability, and environmental responsibility in particular, are and will increasingly be prerequisites for what we call the social license to operate and grow,” said outgoing Managing Director of AIA Yiannis Paraschis.

Two airports in Romania receive EU funds for solar-BESS projects

As for other recent developments in the Balkans, operators of two airports in Romania received grants via the European Union’s Modernisation Fund for solar power plants with battery storage.

National Company Bucharest Airports (CNAB) signed a contract for RON 132.04 million (EUR 25.9 million) excluding value-added tax. It is for 12.6 MW in peak PV capacity and a BESS of 17.9 MWh at the Bucharest Henri Coandă International Airport in Otopeni.

The entire investment amounts to RON 176.9 million (EUR 34.7 million) excluding VAT. The Romanian state-owned company said it is the first phase of a project for 31.5 MW and 30 MWh overall, valued at EUR 55.7 million.

Bacău International Airport George Enescu will build a solar power plant of 1.25 MW and a BESS of 2.06 MWh. Bacău County Council will also provide support for the on-site project on 2.2 hectares, worth more than EUR 4.9 million.

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