In the face of grid volatility, battery storage is becoming a central pillar of clean energy infrastructure in Southeastern Europe, supported by targeted subsidies and EU resilience funding. Greece has awarded around 900 MW of standalone BESS capacity through three national tenders since 2023, with further auctions planned as part of its grid flexibility strategy (Balkan Green Energy News). Bulgaria is also moving fast: under its EU-funded “RESTORE” program, it will finance 82 new storage facilities with a total capacity of nearly 9.7 GWh — more than triple the original 3 GWh target — using BGN 1.15 billion (≈ €590 million) in public grants (Renewables Now). Meanwhile, Romania and Bulgaria are among the countries with Europe’s highest daily price spreads — averaging over €195/MWh in 2024 — creating ideal conditions for arbitrage and peak shaving business models (Synertics).
Elsewhere in the Balkans, governments are laying the regulatory groundwork for commercial and utility-scale BESS. Croatia has earmarked €500 million of its national recovery plan for storage and grid flexibility, with first tenders expected by 2025 (Energy Storage News). Slovenia launched a €17 million support program in 2024, offering up to €225/kWh in CAPEX grants for commercial battery systems — and notably allowing storage to be freely combined with on-site PV without penalty (Slovenian Ministry of Infrastructure). Romania has also allocated €103 million in grants to fund at least 240 MW / 480 MWh of battery systems, with the potential to scale to 1.5 GWh as part of its RRF-backed transition (Romanian Ministry of Energy). The regulatory authority in Bosnia and Herzegovina is preparing a legal framework for batteries to deliver frequency regulation and balancing services — a milestone for the non-EU market (Balkan Green Energy News).
Together, these developments signal a maturing storage ecosystem across Southeastern Europe — backed by strong public investment and growing private interest.
This regional progress highlights a broader truth: wherever policy delays persist, the private sector is acting. Companies across Europe are rethinking their energy strategies in the face of geopolitical shocks, volatile markets, and regulatory uncertainty.
The Ukraine war was a wake-up call: Gas prices spiked above €300/MWh, and electricity costs climbed to €850/MWh. 59% of businesses were forced to pass on costs, while 14% cut back production. This exposed how dependent supply chains and fossil-based energy models are inherently risky.
The current Iran-Israel conflict adds another layer of geopolitical tension: Rising hostilities have driven oil prices up and brought key trade routes like the Strait of Hormuz into focus – a maritime bottleneck through which around 20% of the world’s oil supply flows. Any escalation could trigger massive supply chain disruptions – with serious implications for European manufacturers relying on stable input costs and uninterrupted deliveries.
Political events far beyond national borders can suddenly impact procurement, production, and energy supply. Companies that continue relying on fossil imports and overseas suppliers remain exposed and vulnerable in this fragile global environment.
For years, PV was viewed through the lens of CO₂ reduction. Today, control over energy supply and pricing is taking center stage.
PV offers distinct strategic advantages:
PV puts a cap on electricity prices – unlike fossil fuels, which remain exposed to global price swings. Costs for solar energy have fallen 80–90% over the past decades, making PV one of the most affordable power sources today. In auctions and long-term PPAs, prices are often well below wholesale electricity rates ([BloombergNEF]).
PV is more than cost-saving – it’s risk prevention:
Example: In 2023, Germany saw a record surge in commercial rooftop PV installations – despite bureaucratic obstacles ([Bundesnetzagentur]). The message is clear: The private sector is acting, even if politics lags behind.
For years, the conversation around solar revolved around one goal: produce clean, affordable electricity. But as more businesses and energy developers commit to renewables, the next strategic question is emerging: How do you stay in control once the sun sets?
Battery storage is no longer an optional add-on – it’s the core enabler of 24/7 energy autonomy. While PV covers daylight demand, batteries make that energy available exactly when it’s needed – during evening peaks, price surges, or grid constraints. It’s what turns a solar installation into a flexible, dispatchable power asset.
For utility-scale developers, manufacturers, and commercial operators, storage provides:
And the economics are increasingly compelling:
The scale is catching up with the potential:
Across Europe, storage is scaling fast. According to SolarPower Europe, Germany leads with 28% of Europe’s installed battery capacity in 2024, followed by Italy (27%) and the UK (13%) – totaling nearly 12 GWh. By 2029, utility-scale batteries will dominate the landscape, making up 69% of installed capacity, with C&I at 17% and residential at 14% ([SolarPower Europe]).
For developers, corporates, and investors alike, this shift signals one thing:
Storage is no longer about energy security — it’s about strategic positioning.
As a pan-European wholesale partner, PVO International is committed to driving strategic energy autonomy – with a clear focus on:
From Germany to Italy, Poland, Balkan to the Netherlands – we enable companies to turn energy into a competitive advantage.
→ Contact us now to secure your energy future.
Balkan Green Energy News – “Greece, Bulgaria, Romania lead battery storage push in Southeast Europe”
(https://balkangreenenergynews.com)
BloombergNEF – “Battery Price Survey”
(https://about.bnef.com/blog/)
Bundesnetzagentur – “PV Expansion Reports 2023”
(https://www.bundesnetzagentur.de/DE/Fachthemen/ElektrizitaetundGas/ErneuerbareEnergien/PV/PV_node.html)
Energy Storage News – “Croatia allocates €500 mn for energy storage from recovery plan”
(https://www.energy-storage.news)
Enervis – “Battery Storage Index 2025”
(https://www.enervis.de/marktpreisindikatoren/batteriespeicher-index/)
Renewables Now – “Bulgaria to support 9.7 GWh of storage under €590 mn RESTORE scheme”
(https://renewablesnow.com)
Romanian Ministry of Energy – “BESS tenders and funding announcements under Romania’s RRP”
(https://energie.gov.ro)
Slovenian Ministry of Infrastructure – “Battery subsidy scheme 2024 – investment support for commercial PV+storage”
(https://www.gov.si/en/state-authorities/ministries/infrastructure)
SolarPower Europe – “European Market Outlook for Battery Storage 2024–2029”
(https://www.solarpowereurope.org/insights/european-market-outlook-for-battery-storage-2024-2029)
Synertics – “Battery storage potential in Europe – arbitrage spreads & project viability”
(https://synertics.energy)
