Romania Launches Its Largest-Ever 400 MWh Battery Storage Project

On 12/16/2025, the County of Cluj is a part of Romania's transition to a renewable and clean Energy Future. As of now, the largest and most recent project in Romania is the establishment of the country's first large scale BESS (Battery Energy Storage System). This project represents a tremendous advance in the country's efforts to move away from the use of fossil fuels and continue to establish a sustainable, reliable energy grid for the Country of Romania. The BESS has been developed by Nova Power & Gas, a leader in Energy Technology in Romania since the creation of the BESS in Cluj County. The energy capacity of the BESS has been designed to be 200 MW and 400 MWh.

A Vision Born from Necessity

The creation of the Cluj County BESS was prompted by Romania's critical energy need regarding the instability of its electrical grid and its dependence on renewable energy sources. A growing share of Romania's electricity (approximately 30%) is generated from renewable sources with the balance of generation attributed to fossil fuels. Issues arising from fluctuations in solar generation resulting from limited sunlight and from fluctuations in wind generation resulting from limited wind effect have created considerable challenges for Romania. "For our country, this project is much more than just another battery," according to Septimiu Costea, Chief Technology Officer of Nova Power & Gas, "it represents a 'safety net' for the future of renewable energy in Romania. The Cluj County BESS enables families and businesses to continue using renewable energy even when there are no available solar or wind resources." Located in Floreşti, the Cluj County BESS is equipped with state-of-the-art lithium-ion battery technology that stores excess renewable energy until peak demand is reached or the availability of renewable energy ceases. Thus, it can discharge up to 200 MW of power for grid stabilization as well as replace various coal-based power plants for too many members of the electric grid who rely on fossil fuel power generation systems as a backup supply.

Economic and Ecological Dividends

The Cluj BESS is part of a broader national strategy to align with the EU's climate goals. Romania aims to derive 44% of its electricity from renewables by 2035, a target that demands robust energy storage solutions. "This project doubles our current storage capacity and sets a precedent for sustainable infrastructure," noted Energy Minister Sebastian Burduja. "It's a testament to our resolve to balance economic growth with environmental stewardship."

The construction of this facility not only had positive environmental impacts. It has also driven economic revitalization in the region; for example, over 200 jobs were created during the construction phase, and through partnerships with regional small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs), Nova Power & Gas was able to establish a developing energy storage supply chain for components. Nearby villages have been working with local farmers to develop hybrid solar-powered irrigation systems to reduce their dependence on diesel generators.

Overcoming Challenges with Innovation

The project faced logistical hurdles, including grid modernization and securing financing. Nova Power & Gas addressed these by adopting a phased approach:

Some of the initiatives Nova Power & Gas has undertaken include:

Grid Integration: By partnering with Romania's transmission system operator (TRANSELECTRICA), Nova upgraded its substations so that they can automatically accommodate the expected bidirectional power flow requirements for the next generation of power electronics devices.

Community Engagement: Nova also ensured that through town hall meetings and pilot programs, along with providing information to local residents, they had a clear understanding of the benefits associated with the Project, thus easing their concerns about land use and noise. Financial Structure: In addition to private equity, a variety of state grants (through Romania's €150 million energy storage fund) were utilized to minimize the initial cost of developing and operating BESS systems.

A Blueprint for Central and Eastern Europe

The Cluj facility has already attracted interest from neighboring countries. Delegations from Bulgaria and Serbia have visited the site to study its modular design, which allows future expansion to 600 MWh. "This isn't just a Romanian success story-it's a model for the region," said Yuri Katanov, CEO of Toki Power, a regional energy developer.

The system's smart controls also exemplify next-gen energy management. AI algorithms predict demand patterns and optimize dispatch, reducing curtailment of renewable energy by 18% compared to conventional systems.

Looking Ahead: Scaling Ambition

Nova Power & Gas plans to build upon the success previously achieved with the existing BESS deployment model by developing an additional 1,200 MWh of storage capacity throughout Romania by 2028, so that this storage capacity may also assist Nova Power & Gas in developing 400 MW of gas-peaking power plants to help meet the seasonal electric peak demand within the Romanian market. According to Costea, "Storage and renewable energy resources are both essential aspects of developing a sustainable energy future. They will be the foundation upon which our energy future will be built."

Conclusion: Lighting the Path Forward

Romania has created and implemented the Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), which demonstrates that this country can take the necessary steps to build a sustainable and innovative future through cooperative efforts, and thereby the BESS provides evidence of an aggressive commitment towards the creation of an energy future that is resilient. Thus, if Romania is committed to becoming ecologically aware while at the same time working to meet its industrial targets, the BESS represents an example of how both goals can be achieved when taken together within the framework of a cohesive national strategic vision.

About Nova Power & Gas

A subsidiary of E-INFRA Group, Nova Power & Gas leads Central and Eastern Europe's energy transition, with projects spanning renewables, gas, and storage. The company operates 240 MWh of active storage capacity and plans to double this by 2026.