GEN-I Group expects to reach 800 MW in battery energy storage systems under management by the end of the year. The Slovenian company is advancing projects in Romania, while it has also taken over three operational facilities in Bulgaria. In its home market, it has just enabled owners of solar power plants to share their energy.
Slovenia-based GEN-I Group is establishing one of the largest platforms for storage and flexibility management in the region, board member Igor Koprivnikar told Delo in an interview. Within its electricity trading segment, the company is developing its service that enables market access for photovoltaics, battery storage and hybrid facilities. Its representative added that the portfolio of large battery energy storage systems (more than 10 MW each) under management would reach 800 MW by the end of the year.
There is often a surplus of electricity when it is sunny, leading to low or negative electricity prices on the wholesale market, which directs investments into the flexibility of the electricity system and the development of new business models, Koprivnikar explained. He pointed to the transition of the logic from producing to managing energy, where value is created primarily in flexibility and time optimization.
GEN-I trades electricity in 27 countries including the United States. It is also active in the segments of natural gas and emission allowances.
GEN-I Sonce inked deal with contractor for grid infrastructure in Romania
In the latest step regarding the group’s operations in Romania, GEN-I Sonce has signed a turnkey contract with Waldevar Energy. The domestic firm is now responsible for the delivery of the Gheorgheni substation of 110 kV and 63 MVA, together with an interconnection to the 110 kV grid. It is the first phase of a battery energy storage system (BESS) project for 55 MW in operating power and a capacity of 225 MWh.
GEN-I Sonce is working on two more BESS investments in Romania
The contract stipulates that Waldevar Energy is handling engineering, procurement and construction, testing and commissioning. Its Chief Executive Officer Cristian Dragomir (pictured left) signed the document at the Intersolar Europe fair in Munich with CEO of GEN-I Sonce Gregor Hudohmet. GEN-I Sonce revealed that two more projects are underway in the country.
GEN-I Invest reached 100 MWh of BESS facilities under ownership
GEN-I Invest completed the acquisition last month of three battery energy storage systems in neighboring Bulgaria. The facilities Belovo, Momchilgrad and Parvomay 1 have 30 MW and 76 MWh altogether.
The new subsidiary’s BESS portfolio reached 42 MW in capability and 100 MWh of total storage capacity. Namely, last year it commisioned a 12 MW / 24 MWh system in Kidričevo, Slovenia. GEN-I Invest, which also operates the parent company’s two solar power plants in North Macedonia, aims to expand in the battery storage segment by acquisitions by 100 MW before the end of the year.
First energy sharing platform in Slovenia
Also of note, on July 1, GEN-I became the first provider in Slovenia that enabled owners of solar power plants to share the energy that they generate.
The service is especially important for people who do not have their own roof or suitable conditions to install
solar panels. The company is handling all key procedures for users.
