Bulgaria launches consultations on new support program for energy storage
Bulgarian Ministry of Energy launches public consultation on RESTORE 2 program for 1.9 GWh of new standalone energy storage
The Ministry of Energy of Bulgaria has started public consultations on the RESTORE 2 program, which aims to build and commission 1.9 GWh of new, standalone electricity storage systems. The project is financed under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, with the goal of effectively integrating renewable energy sources into the national power system.
From the success of RESTORE 1 to a new round of support
The new initiative builds on the experience of the first edition of the program. RESTORE 1 ended with great success in April 2025. Instead of the planned 3 GWh, as many as 82 projects were supported, with a total capacity of nearly 10 GWh. The investment value exceeded BGN 1.15 billion. This is the best evidence that the market is ready for rapid and ambitious deployment of energy storage technologies.
The second edition of the program focuses on large battery systems, designed to support both the transmission and distribution grids. To qualify for funding, installations must have at least 10 MW of rated power and a minimum of two hours of full-load operation. In total, 1.9 GWh of storage capacity will be allocated.
Grants will cover up to half of eligible investment costs, with the maximum support amount set at BGN 156,466 per 1 MWh of usable capacity. A single applicant can apply for projects totaling up to 317 MWh, i.e., one-sixth of the entire program. All projects must be completed and commissioned no later than July 31, 2026.
Participation criteria and formal requirements
To qualify, companies must demonstrate adequate financial capacity – at least BGN 6 million in equity for projects between 20 and 50 MWh, and BGN 10 million for larger installations. Applicants must also provide a bank guarantee of 3% at the application stage and a performance guarantee equal to 10% of the awarded grant after signing the contract.
Funding applies only to new projects. The start of works is considered to be either the beginning of construction or the signing of a binding technology purchase agreement. When submitting an application, companies must provide, among other things, a building permit, a valid grid connection agreement, and proof of secured technology supply.
Importance for the energy transition
The deployment of large-scale energy storage in Bulgaria is part of a broader EU strategy aimed at increasing the flexibility of electricity grids and enabling further development of renewables. Thanks to battery systems, the country will be able to better balance variable output from wind and solar farms, reduce curtailments, and provide stability services to grid operators.
The consultation on the application documentation will run until September 15, 2025, and the call for applications is scheduled to open on September 18. Projects must be completed and commissioned by the end of July 2026.
Source: ess-news.com