Major BESS Milestones in Greece: METLEN and HELLENiQ Energy Commission Large-Scale Facilities

Major BESS Milestones in Greece: METLEN and HELLENiQ Energy Commission Large-Scale Facilities

Greece has achieved significant milestones in its energy transition with the recent commissioning of two major standalone battery energy storage systems (BESS). These projects not only enhance national grid flexibility but also highlight the critical role of European funding in accelerating regional energy infrastructure.

METLEN Inaugurates Eastern Europe's Largest Standalone BESS

On October 14, 2026, METLEN and Karatzis Group officially inaugurated Greece's largest standalone BESS in Larissa, Thessaly. The facility features a substantial power capacity of 330 MW and an energy storage capacity of 790 MWh. Developed through a joint investment vehicle where Karatzis Group holds 51% and METLEN 49%, the project stands as the largest standalone BESS in Eastern Europe. METLEN was responsible for construction and will manage ongoing operation and maintenance, aiming to significantly improve grid flexibility and support renewable integration in the region.

HELLENiQ ENERGY Commissions €50 Million Facility

Shortly after, HELLENiQ ENERGY commissioned its first BESS at its Thessaloniki Industrial Facilities. The 100 MW/200 MWh facility required an investment of approximately €50 million. Utilizing three lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery systems with liquid cooling, it ranks among the largest electricity storage facilities in Greece and Southeast Europe.

The Thessaloniki BESS project was selected through the first competitive tender by Greece’s Regulatory Authority for Waste, Energy and Water (RAAEY) and is implemented under Greece’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan (Greece 2.0) with crucial funding from the European Union’s NextGenerationEU programme.

Looking ahead, HELLENiQ ENERGY is preparing a second storage project in Florina (50 MW/200 MWh) and boasts a renewable and storage development portfolio exceeding 6 GW across Greece, Romania, Cyprus, and Bulgaria, targeting 1.5 GW of operational renewable capacity by 2028. These combined efforts solidify Greece's position as a emerging powerhouse in the European energy storage landscape.

Source: Solar Quarter / Power Systems Technology

This article was assisted by AI analysis. Please refer to the original source for official information.