A battery energy storage system (BESS) is due to be installed at the Ișalnița solar farm, the first large-scale solar project wholly owned by OMV Petrom. For the endeavor in Dolj county, in Romania’s southwest, it hired domestic company Simtel Team. Earlier, the largest integrated energy producer in South‑East Europe received the modules for the second electrolyzer for green hydrogen at its Petrobrazi oil refinery.
OMV Petrom and Simtel Team have signed an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract for a battery system of 20 MW and 40 MWh. It is scheduled to be completed in seven months, the update adds.
“Through the energy storage projects, we are strengthening our power portfolio and contributing to the development of the energy system of the future. Energy storage enables greater flexibility, improves the integration of renewable energy generation and contributes to a more resilient power grid,” said Franck Neel, member of the Executive Board of OMV Petrom responsible for gas and power.
BESS facility to help grid, renewables efficiency
The energy storage facility is an addition to the Ișalnița solar park. It is OMV Petrom’s first large-scale photovoltaic system under full ownership. The BESS would store electricity generated during periods of high renewable production and make it available when demand is higher, contributing to better grid stability and more efficient use of renewables, the largest integrated energy producer in South‑East Europe explained.
Ișalnița is under construction. Its peak capacity would be 89 MW, delivering an estimated 130 GWh of electricity per year.
OMV Petrom is strengthening its position in the electricity market with a portfolio that includes over 1.2 GW of renewables capacity under construction in collaboration with partners, and energy storage projects in Romania and Bulgaria. The Gabare project in Bulgaria is for 600 MWh in capacity.
OMV Petrom’s green hydrogen to be used in sustainable fuel production
The company also operates the Brazi gas power plant of 860 MW. The adjacent Petrobrazi oil refinery is set to start producing sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in 2028. Late last month, OMV Petrom said it received all seven modules of 5 MW each for the second electrolyzer at the complex.
It would expand the existing 20 MW system to 55 MW in total. The electrolyzers are intended to produce green hydrogen – which means they would be powered by renewable electricity – for use in the refining process. It includes the SAF and hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) unit that is under construction.
Green hydrogen output at the Petrobrazi refinery is seen at 4,700 tons per year
OMV Petrom plans to deliver 250.000 tons per year. It said it would make it the first major producer of sustainable fuels in Southeast Europe.
The 35 MW electrolyzer project benefits from EUR 29 million in non-reimbursable financing through Romania’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP or PNRR). Total green hydrogen output is seen at 4,700 tons per year.
Neuman und Esser from Germany supplied the seven modules.
Progress in wind power projects
Banca Comercială Română (BCR) recently approved a EUR 47 million loan for wind farm project Gura Văii, also known as CEE Onești. It is owned by OMV Petrom and Renovatio, via their joint venture Electrocentrale Borzești, of 50% each.
The planned capacity is 49.8 MW. Gura Văii is in Bacău county. It is one of the three projects of 305 MW altogether for which OMV Petrom reached the final investment decision in April.
OMV Petrom has a portfolio of more than 1,500 operational charging points for electric vehicles
Annual net electricity production is estimated at 110 GWh. Part of the output would be sold through a long-term purchase agreement (PPA), concluded for 10 years with Renovatio Trading.
As for mobility, OMV Petrom surpassed 1,500 electric vehicle charging points in July, including in partnerships.
OMV Petrom’s gas field Neptun Deep, equally shared with Romgaz, is supposed to be launched next year and make Romania the biggest gas producer in the European Union.
