Hidroelectrica has signed a contract for non-repayable financing worth RON 43.3 million, obtained through the Modernisation Fund, to implement a battery energy storage project at the Portile de Fier 2 Hydropower Plant.

With an estimated total value of approximately RON 310 million, the project involves installing a storage capacity of 64 MW and 256 MWh, making it the largest battery storage project developed by the company to date. The investment will help increase the flexibility of the energy system and support the efficient integration of renewable energy sources by providing balancing and frequency regulation services.

The project will make use of existing hydropower infrastructure and available grid connection capacity, allowing for cost optimization and faster implementation timelines. It also strengthens Hidroelectrica’s role in developing flexibility infrastructure for Romania’s National Power System.

“The financing for the Portile de Fier 2 project allows us to take a natural step toward a more flexible and better-balanced energy system. Energy storage is no longer an option, but a necessity, especially in a context where renewable generation is continuously increasing, along with the growing need for balancing services. We are focused on solutions that intelligently use what we already have – hydropower infrastructure – and complement it with modern technologies, so that we can deliver energy when it is truly needed. At the same time, these investments help us improve efficiency and make better use of every MWh produced,” said Bogdan Badea, CEO of Hidroelectrica.

Hidroelectrica is Romania’s largest producer of renewable electricity and one of the most important players in the energy sector of Southeastern Europe. With a portfolio of more than 6.3 GW of installed capacity in hydropower plants, together with the Crucea wind farm, the company contributes to national energy security and to achieving the EU’s decarbonisation targets.