Bulgaria inaugurates the largest local energy storage facility in the EU
In Lovech, located in north-central Bulgaria, the symbolic opening of the largest operating energy storage system in the European Union took place. The new facility, with an impressive capacity of 496.2 megawatt-hours (MWh) and power output of 124 megawatts (MW), represents not only a technological breakthrough but also a strategic step toward the independence and strengthening of the national power system. The opening ceremony was led by Bulgaria’s Minister of Energy, Zhechko Stankov.
The installation consists of 111 containers
The energy storage system, situated within the Balkan Industrial Park in Lovech, was built from 111 battery containers. This technological core of the modern storage system aims to stabilize the power grid during periods of increased demand or fluctuations in renewable energy production.
Minister Stankov emphasized during the inauguration that this investment is “the first step toward achieving the goal of launching 10,000 MWh of battery capacity in Bulgaria within the next year.” This ambitious plan is crucial for ensuring stable and predictable energy prices for households and businesses.
Public-private partnership as a recipe for success
The project is carried out by Advance Green Energy AD, a company owned by the well-known Bulgarian entrepreneurs Kiril and Georgi Domuschiev. Georgi Domuschiev noted that the investment was completed in a record six months, with significant support from local authorities who efficiently managed administrative procedures and permits.
The construction cost amounted to 147 million Bulgarian lev (about 85 million USD), making it one of the largest private ventures in the renewable energy sector in the region. Founded in 2024, Advance Green Energy focuses on building and operating advanced energy storage installations and aligns with the EU’s green transformation strategy.
A sustainable energy future
Minister Stankov recalled that five years ago important legislative changes were introduced, allowing for the establishment of Bulgaria’s first licensed closed energy distribution zone. These regulations, combined with effective cooperation between the state and private sector, paved the way for realizing such large and technologically advanced projects. “The state’s goal now is to reduce bureaucracy, create jobs, and attract investments — including foreign ones,” added the minister.
Regional leader
The new investment in Lovech not only significantly surpasses Bulgaria’s previous largest energy storage (25 MW / 55 MWh, commissioned in 2024 by Renalfa IPP) but also acts as a stimulus for the entire Southeast Europe region.
“We are the energy pillar of the Balkans and Southeast Europe,” stressed Stankov, highlighting the crucial role modern energy storage plays in ensuring energy security and independence.
Bulgarian authorities do not intend to slow down. A recently concluded tender for new storage capacities favors projects totaling nearly 9,713 MWh. Achieving this target within the next 12 months is fundamentally important for further renewable energy development, greenhouse gas emission reductions, and enhancing economic competitiveness.
Source: seenews.com