Engie Romania has begun construction of a battery energy storage system (BESS) at its Baleni wind farm in Galati County, marking the company’s first hybrid renewable energy project in the country and a new step in integrating storage with existing wind assets.
The facility, currently under development, will have an installed capacity of 5 MW and a storage capacity of 10 MWh. It will be directly integrated with the existing 50 MW Baleni wind farm and is scheduled to enter operation by the end of the year.
The battery system will store excess electricity generated during periods of strong wind output and release it back into the grid when demand increases. In addition to energy shifting, it will also provide balancing and ancillary services, helping to stabilise both the wind farm’s output and the wider electricity system.
The Baleni installation represents the first of two planned battery projects by Engie Romania as part of its broader expansion into energy storage. The company is also developing a significantly larger project in Selimbar, Sibiu County, which will feature an installed capacity of 80 MW and a storage capability of 160 MWh. With permits already secured, construction is expected to begin once final implementation steps are completed.
The Baleni system will use lithium iron phosphate (LFP) technology and is initially designed for two hours of discharge duration, with the option to expand to four hours depending on future system requirements and operational needs.
Engie unveiled its Romanian storage strategy last year as part of its global ambition to expand its renewable and storage portfolio. The group aims to reach 95 GW of combined renewable generation and storage capacity by 2030, reflecting its long-term focus on flexible, low-carbon energy systems.
