According to the data from the National Energy Dispatch Center, the storage needs for electrical energy are estimated to be around 4,000 MW by 2030. Half of this capacity is projected to come from batteries, with the other half from hydroelectric plants equipped with pumped storage, stated the Minister of Energy, Sebastian Burduja.

“Based on the data provided by the National Energy Dispatch Center within Transelectrica, the storage requirement is 4,000 megawatts. DEN’s proposal is for half to come from batteries and the other half from hydroelectric plants with pumped storage. As for batteries, we have an ongoing call from the PNRR (National Recovery and Resilience Plan), the first such call in Romania funded by the state, amounting to 200 million euros, closing on April 21. So, the evaluation and contracting of beneficiaries will follow. Additionally, in the Modernization Fund, we have two calls for production and self-consumption, where installing batteries earns a 10-point bonus. Therefore, beneficiaries who start applying from April 25, when the two calls are launched, with a total budget of 815 million euros, a generous budget, will surely be encouraged to install batteries. Last but not least, we are preparing a storage scheme from the Modernization Fund, with an estimated budget of half a billion euros, to be presented to the Modernization Fund’s autumn Committee, around late September. This means that by then, we need to obtain approval from the Competition Council, approve the scheme at DG Competition, at the European Commission, and be able to enter with approval at the EIB and then into the Modernization Fund. That will be a scheme dedicated solely to storage. In the future, depending on the performance of contracts for difference, a CFD scheme for storage could also be considered. From what I recall, the estimate is that by 2030, this (4,000 MW) would be the requirement,” explained Burduja in a press conference, as quoted by Agerpres.

Regarding hydroelectric pumped storage projects, he emphasized Romania’s unique position within the EU, with geography allowing for such investments, yet the country has not managed to complete such a plant. He stressed the importance of these projects over battery fields, as they store energy for much longer periods and are more environmentally friendly.

“With respect to the pumped storage hydroelectric project at Tarniţa-Lăpuşteşti, the feasibility study procedure is ongoing, and if it does not succeed, we will pursue a public-private partnership route. I won’t give up, you should know. It is true, based on what SAPE (Societatea de Administrare a Participaţiilor în Energie) communicates, there is market interest. But if we still fail now, we will opt for a public-private partnership, but I don’t want to talk about it until I see the outcome of the award procedure. In a public-private partnership, there are major partners, some of whom I have met, they could enter at this stage. Without a feasibility study, they assume part of the costs, and then when you have the feasibility study, the shares in the company are renegotiated. But we can’t give up on this investment,” emphasized Sebastian Burduja.

Source: CursdeGuvernare.ro