DRI progresses 133MW Trzebinia battery storage project, the first large-scale storage project in Poland

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Source of information: DRI
Category: Energy News

DRI has taken a significant step forward in its 133MW 4h (532MWh) energy storage project in Trzebinia, Poland by acquiring 100% of the shares from Columbus Energy.

DRI, the EU renewables arm of DTEK, announced in March that it had acquired the rights to build the first and largest battery storage facility in southern Poland. The acquisition demonstrates the company’s continued progress and it remains on schedule to break ground later this year. Commercial operation is expected to commence in January 2027.

This battery storage project is part of DRI’s goal to deploy up to 1GW of renewable energy and storage capacity in Poland by 2030. Through the Trzebinia project, DRI aims to improve the stability of the Polish grid and support the wider development of renewable energy in the country.

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The acquisition includes a commitment to provide energy capacity to the Polish market for 17 years from 2027, following success in the 2022 Capacity Market auction organised by PSE, the Polish Transmission System Operator.

John Stuart, CEO of DRI, commented: “I am pleased to take the next step in this important project for DRI and for the country. Battery storage is a crucial technology to accelerate the energy transition. Storing renewable energy can improve grid reliability, optimize energy costs, and increase overall renewable production capacity, which is essential for Poland to achieve its goal of 62 GW of installed renewable energy by 2030.”

DRI currently operates two projects in Romania: a 53 MW solar farm in Glodeni and a 60 MW wind farm in Ruginoasa, the first wind farm built in Romania in a decade. In addition to the battery storage project in Poland, six other solar and onshore wind projects are at various stages of development in Italy, Romania and Croatia.