Hidroelectrica to Receive Funding for Battery Storage at the Iron Gate II

Hidroelectrica has signed a contract for a grant of RON 43,370,902.87, obtained through the Modernization Fund under call P1_OS1.5 – Supporting investments in the development of electricity storage capacities for the implementation of the project “Battery storage system at the Iron Gate II Hydropower Plant”.

Hidroelectrica’s investment project, with a total estimated value of approximately RON 310 million, involves the installation of a capacity of 64 MW and 256 MWh, making it the largest battery storage project developed by the company to date. The investment helps increase the flexibility of the energy system and the efficient integration of renewable energy sources by providing balancing and control services.

The project’s implementation leverages existing hydropower infrastructure and available grid connection capacity, which helps optimize costs and accelerate completion timelines. At the same time, the project strengthens Hidroelectrica’s role in developing the flexibility infrastructure of the National Power System.

“Funding for the Iron Gate II project allows us to take a natural step toward a more flexible and better-balanced energy system. Energy storage is no longer an option but a necessity, especially given that renewable energy production is on the rise, which also increases the need for balancing services. We focus on solutions that make smart use of what we already have—our hydro infrastructure—and complement it with modern technologies so that we can deliver energy when it’s truly needed. At the same time, these investments help us increase efficiency and make better use of every MWh we produce,” Bogdan Badea, CEO of Hidroelectrica, said.

Hidroelectrica is moving forward with the development of projects to hybridize its existing assets by integrating hydropower capacity with complementary renewable energy generation solutions and storage systems into a unified operational framework. This approach increases the flexibility and efficiency of the portfolio, optimizes the use of existing infrastructure, and maximizes the value of the energy produced, while also strengthening the company’s role in ensuring the balance and adequacy of the National Power System.