Investor interest in energy storage projects could increase significantly this year, with an additional 400 million euros, up from the 80 million euros already allocated. These energy storage units should be located in areas where producers are congested, said Marian Dobrilă, CEO of TDP Partners and president of the Pro-Impact Coalition.”Most of the projects in our portfolio are storage-only, and 10-15% of them are dedicated to renewable energy parks. However, those beneficiaries are also thinking long-term about providing grid services,” Dobrilă said.

The year 2024 and the end of last year were notable for the large storage capacity programmed by the PNRR, where 5 GWh were submitted for funding. TDP Partners submitted a quarter of this capacity, or 22 projects out of a total of 118.

“Typically, our clients have investment budgets between 100 million and 1 billion euro for Romania alone,” Dobrilă added.

In the hydrogen segment, out of 8 approved projects, the company has submitted one project, which addresses both nationwide gas transportation and storage capacities for wind energy and is already being implemented.

The firm has been in business for 18 years and for the past three years has specialized in renewable energy. It caters to large clients with highly complex wind and solar projects that want to produce hydrogen.

“One of the big barriers why the capital button is only pressed for a small fraction of projects is the lack of an energy market and a legislative framework that favors these PPAs (Power Purchase Agreements), which should essentially be the main driver for energy projects,” he added.