Currently, the country possesses less than 10 MW of installed storage capacity. However, the estimated system balancing need is projected to be several thousand MW over the next 5-10 years, driven by the increasing share of renewables.

“We are seeing increasing market demand for balancing solutions. This is not just a business opportunity, it's a necessity for Romania's energy security,” says Barbu

Having previously developed nine operational wind farms, Barbu is now expanding in the energy storage business.

Future Power is currently developing energy storage projects with a total capacity of 600 MW, with an ambitious goal of reaching 1,000 MW in the coming years. The estimated investment cost for these projects is around €250,000 per MW. 

The first projects are slated to become operational between 2026 and 2028.

Meanwhile, Barbu believes Romania can become a regional hub for clean energy production and storage, leveraging its strong wind speeds, high solar radiation, and geostrategic position.