Romania has brought its largest battery energy storage system online to date, commissioning a 200 MW / 400 MWh BESS in Cluj County as the country accelerates efforts to modernize its power system and support renewable energy integration. The project was developed by private investor Nova Power & Gas and represents a milestone for Romania’s rapidly expanding storage sector.
Romania’s Minister of Energy, Bogdan Ivan, welcomed the commissioning, describing the Cluj County installation and other large-scale battery projects as precisely the kind of infrastructure needed to strengthen grid stability and enable higher shares of renewable generation. Ivan visited the site following commissioning and used the occasion to call for increased participation from what he described as “responsible private capital,” alongside fair competition and investments that deliver tangible benefits for consumers.
The energy minister also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting battery deployment, saying the Ministry of Energy will continue to provide a stable and transparent framework for investment while respecting institutional boundaries and acting as an open partner to companies creating long-term value in Romania.
Although the Cluj County project is now the largest battery system connected to Romania’s grid, even bigger developments are already in the pipeline. In November 2025, Belgian developer Aukera announced it had secured €60 million in debt financing from Kommunalkredit Austria AG to fund its first standalone battery project in the country. That system, planned at 250 MW / 500 MWh, is the largest BESS project ever announced in Romania and is set to rank among the biggest in Central and Eastern Europe once completed.
The Aukera project is being built in Gura Ialomitei, Ialomita County, and will be delivered in two phases. Construction is already underway, with commercial operation expected to begin by mid-2026.
Romania has quickly emerged as one of Europe’s most active markets for battery energy storage, supported by strong government backing. Also in November 2025, Minister Ivan unveiled a €150 million national program for municipalities, aimed at deploying an additional 385 MW of battery capacity across the electricity system to improve flexibility and resilience at the local level.
Private investment activity has continued into December as well. On December 12, Toki Power Holding GmbH, the power trading arm of Austria’s Renalfa Solarpro Group, acquired a 150 MW / 300 MWh standalone battery storage project in Romania for an undisclosed price. The system has a two-hour duration, with the option to extend to four hours, and is scheduled to enter operation in the fourth quarter of 2026.
Toki Power Chief Executive Yuri Katanov described Romania as one of the most attractive battery storage markets within the European Union, citing strong growth potential and improving regulatory conditions. Together, these projects underline Romania’s rapid rise as a regional hub for grid-scale energy storage, a trend increasingly shaping coverage across the Energy News landscape.