EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Grid connection approval has been secured for a 70 MW/140 MWh standalone battery energy storage project in western Romania. The ATR was issued under the country's former first-come-first-served grid allocation regime, enabling 4P Renewables to move the project toward financing, procurement and construction.
News Synopsis
4P Renewables, a Romania-based renewable energy developer focused on solar photovoltaic (PV) and battery energy storage system (BESS) projects, has received an ATR (Grid Connection Approval) for a 70 MW, two-hour standalone battery energy storage system (BESS) project in western Romania. The approval was among the final ATRs issued under Romania's former first-come-first-served grid allocation regime before the country transitioned to capacity auctions for new grid connection requests.
According to the company, the approved connection terms include a connection point located approximately 100 metres from the project site, a direct connection into an existing power station, no grid reinforcement required under N state operating conditions, and minor N-1 contingencies addressed through standard ALO measures. The company said these connection conditions are becoming increasingly uncommon as grid congestion continues to increase.
The approval expands 4P Renewables' western Romania portfolio to seven grid-secured projects, comprising two standalone BESS projects and five co-located PV + BESS projects. The company stated that securing grid connection capacity enables the projects to move forward into the next stages of development.
Commenting on the development, the company stated, "We've received the ATR for a 70 MW, two-hour standalone BESS project in western Romania - one of the last issued to anyone under the first-come-first-served regime, which recently gave way to capacity auctions." Referring to the connection conditions, the company added, "The connection terms are increasingly rare in today's congested grid: approximately 100 metres to the connection point, direct connection into an existing power station, no grid reinforcement required at N state, Minor N-1 contingencies, addressed through ALO, as standard."
The company further stated, "It takes our western Romania footprint to seven grid-secured projects: 2 standalone BESS, 5 co-located PV + BESS." It also noted the significance of obtaining the grid connection approval, stating, "Securing viable grid connection terms is the milestone everything else depends on. With that resolved, the path is clear to move into financing, procurement and build."
Following the ATR approval, the project will progress to financing, procurement and construction. No investment value or commercial operation timeline has been disclosed. The approval reflects the importance of securing grid access for battery energy storage projects as Romania moves from the first-come-first-served allocation framework to a capacity auction system for future grid connection requests.