Photo: Hithium
China-based Hithium has agreed to supply its battery products for a 55 MWh energy storage project, for which Bulgarian developer Solarpro is providing turnkey engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) services. According to the companies, it is the largest battery energy storage system (BESS) in implementation in Southeast Europe.
The battery energy storage system in Bulgaria will be the first joint project of stationary battery manufacturer Hithium and Solarpro, which is part of Renalfa Solarpro Group. The deal marks the start of a strategic partnership, according to the Chinese company.
Installation is planned to begin in early 2024. It will support an existing photovoltaic plant of 33 MW in peak capacity in the southwest Bulgarian town of Razlog, the companies said.
A subsidiary of the Vienna-based Renalfa IPP will own the BESS
A subsidiary of the Vienna-based Renalfa IPP will own the BESS, the announcement reads. The company is a joint venture of Renalfa Solarpro Group and French infrastructure fund manager RGreen Invest.
The solar farm is equipped with a photovoltaic tracker mounting system, enhancing the installation’s efficiency and output, along with its substation, the press release adds.
Hithium said it would supply 16 energy storage containers of 3.44 MWh each, based on its 280 Ah cells with an extra-long expected lifespan. They feature a wide operating temperature range, thus the energy storage system can run uninterrupted even in extreme weather, the company claimed.
Mateev: As the region’s utility-scale solar production ramps up, energy storage is gaining importance
As the region’s utility-scale solar production ramps up, energy storage is gaining importance since it enables producers to deliver solar-generated energy more reliably, Solarpro CEO Krasen Mateev said.
“We have been working on the preparation, engineering, and development of the joint solution over the past months for this landmark project. We are dedicated to leading the energy transition adding new technologies to our product portfolio,” he stressed.
Li: The project represents the company’s entry into Eastern Europe
Ning (Kelson) Li, Hithium’s Director for large-scale BESS projects for Central, Northern, and Eastern Europe, said the endeavor represents the company’s entry into Eastern Europe.
It perfectly reflects the contribution Hithium wants to make to the region, scaling up energy storage to stabilize the supply of clean energy, he said.
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