The rollout of battery energy storage systems (BESS) in Southeast Europe is moving at different speeds across the region. Countries like Greece, Romania, and Bulgaria have seen quick progress thanks to government subsidies and funding programs. Meanwhile, markets in the Western Balkans are still catching up. Despite this, experts remain optimistic. Lessons learned from neighboring countries and successful approaches from other parts of the European Union can help address early obstacles and speed up future installations. This was a key takeaway from a panel on BESS held at the Belgrade Energy Forum.
Battery storage plays a crucial role in the energy transition. It helps balance electricity from variable renewable sources like wind and solar, which are not always consistent. In Southeast Europe, there are only a few battery storage projects so far, and in the Western Balkans, the sector is still developing and lacks full regulation. During the panel titled “Energy Storage System Market in SEE: Trends and Forecasts,” experts shared insights on the growing market.
The region’s electricity markets are seeing more instances of low or even negative prices during certain hours. This happens when renewable energy supply is high but demand is low, such as on weekends and holidays. These price trends make investing in battery storage more attractive because batteries can store excess power and sell it when prices rise.
Goran Vukojević, Managing Director of Go2Power Consulting and moderator of the discussion, warned that negative electricity prices could threaten the stability of the power system. If many power plants disconnect simultaneously due to low prices, it could cause problems for the grid.
He also highlighted how Serbia’s transmission system operator, Elektromreža Srbije (EMS), is preparing for auctions to buy ancillary services, which support grid stability. Vukojević praised EMS for its transparent and fair approach in managing this competitive process. For battery owners, participating in such auctions or the open market are viable paths forward.
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