PPC Advances Zephyr 1 Battery Project in Romania

PPC Renewables is making significant progress on the 60 MW/129 MWh Zephyr 1 battery project in Constanța, Romania. The facility will be colocated with the existing 120 MW Târgușor wind farm, moving toward the establishment-authorisation stage with the Romanian regulator ANRE. The estimated investment for the project is approximately €24.7 million, which includes about €2.7 million in crucial financial support from the EU Modernisation Fund.

This project reflects a broader trend in Romania's rapidly expanding storage market. In 2026, state support has increasingly prioritized grid flexibility. There is a growing preference for retrofitting or colocating battery storage with existing operating wind and solar plants, rather than solely integrating it into new solar developments. This strategy effectively manages grid constraints and shifts electricity delivery to higher-value hours.

Greek Market Shifts to Integrated Portfolios

In Greece, the battery storage market is undergoing a structural shift towards larger integrated generation portfolios. AKTOR Renewables recently agreed to acquire a 51% stake in a portfolio of hybrid renewable and battery projects developed by DEPA Commercial, valued at approximately €370 million. The portfolio includes 221.1 MW of hybrid photovoltaic projects and 250 MW of standalone BESS, plus an additional 221.1 MW of battery injection capacity.

The Greek market is evolving to combine solar, storage, and active energy management to optimize wholesale and balancing market sales, driven by low midday prices and expensive evening periods.

DEPA will retain a 49% stake and manage the electricity produced by the AKTOR-DEPA assets, directly tying ownership to energy trading. With Greece currently hosting around 13.8 GW of installed photovoltaic capacity, the integration of massive storage assets is becoming essential to mitigate curtailment issues and maximize profitability in the wholesale market.

Source: SEE Energy News

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