site.btaEnergy Ministry: Commissioning of Major Battery Storage Project Marks Key Step in Bulgaria's Energy Modernization

Bulgaria has taken a major step toward modernizing its energy sector with the official commissioning of one of the largest standalone battery energy storage systems (BESS) in Eastern Europe. The facility is located at the Maritsa East 3 Thermal Power Plant complex and makes use of the existing electricity infrastructure in the Stara Zagora region, the Energy Ministry’s press centre said on Thursday.

With an installed capacity of 202 MW and storage capacity of 500 MWh, the ContourGlobal Maritsa BESS project ranks among the largest and most technologically advanced battery facilities in Bulgaria and the wider region. The system is already actively participating in the national electricity market, including the Day-Ahead and Intraday markets, directly contributing to the balancing, flexibility, and security of Bulgaria’s power system.

"The commissioning of this independent energy storage system is a guarantee of Bulgaria’s energy security. This project is a shining example of how, with state support, innovation and modern technologies can be successfully combined with existing industrial infrastructure to deliver a stable and reliable power network," outgoing Energy Minister Zhecho Stankov said. In his words, Bulgaria is sending a clear signal that it is a guarantor of energy security in Southeast Europe, while also creating a sustainable outlook for the development of traditional energy complexes such as Maritsa East.

The outgoing minister recalled that a year ago Bulgaria made a clear commitment to position itself as a balancing power in the Balkans - a role it has already demonstrated in practice by supporting neighbouring countries. "Bulgaria is a leader in innovation and electricity system balancing in Southeast Europe. In the past year alone, the introduction of battery technologies has enabled us to reach storage capacity comparable to that of the Chaira pumped storage hydro power plant - nearly 5,000 MWh. By mid-year, this capacity is expected to grow to at least 15,000 MWh. This will mean more secure supplies, better integration of renewable energy sources, and lower electricity prices not only for Bulgaria but for the entire Southeast European region," Stankov said.

ContourGlobal CEO Antonio Cammisecra highlighted the key role played by Bulgaria and local teams in delivering the project in record time, including the involvement of retrained employees from the coal-fired power plant.

The ContourGlobal Maritsa BESS project is funded by the European Union through the NextGenerationEU mechanism under Bulgaria’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan. The energy storage facility covers an area of 25,000 sq m and is equipped with state-of-the-art technology, including 110 battery platforms and 28 combined energy conversion systems and transformers that ensure efficient integration into the power grid, the press release said.