Romania’s electricity producer Hidroelectrica has taken a significant step toward expanding its energy storage portfolio after signing a €8.7 million grant agreement through the Modernization Fund.
The financing will support the development of the company’s most advanced battery storage project so far, planned at the Porțile de Fier II hydropower complex. The overall investment is estimated at around €62 million, and it will include the installation of a storage system with a capacity of 64 MW / 256 MWh.
By integrating the new batteries directly with existing hydropower infrastructure and available grid connections, Hidroelectrica aims to reduce implementation costs and accelerate deployment timelines. The project is also expected to improve operational flexibility and strengthen the stability of Romania’s electricity system.
According to the company, the storage facility will play an important role in balancing supply and demand, especially as the share of renewable generation continues to increase. Energy storage is becoming increasingly important for managing variability in production and ensuring reliable system operation.
Hidroelectrica’s management stressed that investments of this type are now essential, given the need for more advanced balancing tools in a power system with growing renewable penetration. The project is designed to provide both frequency regulation services and improved system responsiveness.
With more than 6.3 GW of installed hydropower capacity, alongside additional wind assets, Hidroelectrica remains one of Romania’s key energy producers and a central player in the country’s ongoing decarbonisation and grid modernisation efforts.
