Hithium enters SEE in BESS project with Bulgaria's Solarpro

The battery energy storage system (BESS), whose owner will be a subsidiary of Renalfa IPP, will be the largest in Southeast Europe and will support an existing 33 MWp solar photovoltaic installation, Hitium said in a press release.

Construction of the facility is set to begin at the start of 2024. Hithium will provide 16 battery containers with a 3.44 MWh capacity, using the company's 280 Ah cells, which are known for their extended lifespan. The energy storage system will be able to operate without interruption, even in severe weather conditions, thanks to the broad operating temperature range of the cells.

"As the region’s utility-scale solar production ramps up, energy storage is gaining importance since it enables us to deliver solar-generated energy more reliably," Solarpro's chief executive, Krasen Mateev, said. Solarpro, which will provide turnkey EPC contractor services for the landmark joint project, has been busy with its preparation, engineering and development over the past few months, he added.

Founded in 2019, Hithium has delivered 11 GWh of battery capacity to date, of which 5 GWh in 2022 alone. By the end of this year, the Chinese company, which also has operations in Munich, Dubai and California, will expand its output capacity to 70 GWh.

In September, Solarpro broke ground for a hybrid onshore wind, solar and storage project in Tenevo, southeastern Bulgaria, for Eura IPP - a joint venture of Vienna-based clean energy and e-mobility investor Renalfa IPP and Danish renewables developer Eurowind Energy. Solarpro has installed more than 6 GWp of renewable capacity since starting its PV business in 2007.