Engie Romania has started building a battery energy storage system at its Baleni wind farm in Galati County, marking the company’s first hybrid renewable project in the country. The works are part of efforts to integrate storage with existing wind generation assets. The facility is currently under development.
Baleni wind farm and battery specifications
The Baleni BESS is planned with an installed capacity of 5 MW and a storage capacity of 10 MWh. It will be directly integrated with the existing 50 MW Baleni wind farm. The project is scheduled to enter operation by the end of the year.
The battery will capture excess electricity produced during periods of strong wind output. It will then feed electricity back into the grid when demand increases. Beyond shifting energy, the system is also intended to provide balancing and ancillary services to support stabilisation of both the wind farm’s output and the wider electricity system.
LFP technology and discharge duration
The Baleni installation will use lithium iron phosphate (LFP) technology. It is initially designed for a two-hour discharge duration. The design includes an option to extend discharge to four hours based on future system requirements and operational needs.
Second planned storage project in Selimbar
The Baleni battery project is described as the first of two planned installations by Engie Romania in its energy storage expansion. A second project is being developed in Selimbar, Sibiu County. That site is set to feature an installed capacity of 80 MW and storage capability of 160 MWh.
Permits for the Selimbar project have already been secured. Construction is expected to begin once final implementation steps are completed. This follows the start of Baleni works as part of Engie Romania’s broader storage rollout.
Engie’s Romanian storage strategy targets
Engie unveiled its Romanian storage strategy last year alongside its global ambition to expand its renewable and storage portfolio. The group aims to reach 95 GW of combined renewable generation and storage capacity by 2030. The stated focus is on flexible, low-carbon power systems.
