Photo: Sebastian Burduja / Facebook
Electrica and Renovatio Trading received grants of EUR 3.4 million and EUR 3 million, respectively, for their battery energy storage projects in Romania. Also through the EU’s Recovery and Resilience Facility and the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, SC KBK Kraft Project obtained EUR 3.9 million for a planned photovoltaic panel manufacturing facility. All three sites are in Transylvania.
In addition to their role of balancing the electricity system, energy storage capabilities facilitate the supply of cheap wind and solar power even when the sun is not shining or the wind is not blowing, Romania’s Minister of Energy Sebastian Burduja said. He awarded the first two contracts through the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP or PNRR) for battery energy storage projects alongside one for a solar power module factory.
The minister added that the country needs to reduce its dependence on imported photovoltaic panels. “This summer, we all saw how important and necessary investments in electricity storage capacities are,” Burduja pointed out. He recently said the government would sign contracts for 1.5 GWh in battery capacity.
The two grants for energy storage are from an NRRP program, within the European Union’s Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF). The call was launched with the aim of facilitating the installation of at least 240 MW in battery capability, with 480 MWh in overall capacity. It means the systems could operate for up to two hours at full power.
Electrica obtains its second NRRP grant
Electricity supplier and distributor Electrica received EUR 3.4 million in state aid for 69.9 MWh in capacity. It would translate to 35 MW in operating power. The company’s project includes the construction of transformers, internal lines and fences.
The site is in Fântânele in Mureș county, Transylvania. The project is worth EUR 21.8 million excluding value-added tax. Electrica already received funding from NRRP, a year ago. It was for its Satu Mare 2 photovoltaic project of 27 MW in peak capacity. The project firm, Sunwind Energy, is expected to complete it by the end of December.
Electrica Group supplies 3.9 million customers. The government owns just below 50% of the company, listed in Bucharest and London. Electrica controls Distribuție Energie Electrică România (DEER), a firm controlling one of Romania’s six power distribution regions.
Renovatio Trading, part of Renovatio Group, got a EUR 3 million grant for a battery energy storage system (BESS) in Toplița in Harghita county, also in Transylvania. The project is for 60.1 MWh.
SC KBK Kraft Projekt to make, recycle PV cells, panels
The Ministry of Energy’s budget for the tender for the solar module industry aims to cover the production of at least 200 MW per year. The call includes assembly and recycling activities. The first to receive a grant, of EUR 3.9 million, is SC KBK Kraft Projekt. The firm’s project is for the manufacturing and recycling of photovoltaic cells and panels.
The location for its factory is in Sfântu Gheorghe in Covasna county, Transylvania. It spans almost one hectare. The facility would roll out 140 MW per year, which is more than 430 panels every day, the ministry said. SC KBK Kraft Projekt, founded in 2018, is based in Brașov.
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