Helleniq Energy brings 200 MWh Greek BESS online, supplied by Huawei

Helleniq Renewables, a subsidiary of Greek oil company Helleniq Energy, has completed the construction of a 100 MW / 200 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) at its industrial facilities in Thessaloniki, northern Greece. 

The project represents the group’s first operational utility-scale BESS, with the company describing it as one of the largest energy storage projects in Greece and southeast Europe. Total investment costs were approximately €50 million (USD $56 million), according to the company. 

Developed on an area of approximately 100,000 square meters, the lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery installation comprises 56 liquid-cooled containers. Unusually, the split is across three battery system areas.

Though the supplier of the BESS was not named, ESS News understands it is a Huawei ESS, in the LUNA2000 series.

It is connected to Greece’s national transmission network. The BESS will perform at least one full charge-discharge cycle per day, according to the statement.

As part of the grid connection works, Helleniq Energy said it constructed a new 33 / 150 kV substation and an approximately five kilometer underground high-voltage transmission line extending to the Thessaloniki extra-high-voltage (EHV) center. 

The project was selected through the first competitive tender process organized by the Regulatory Authority for Waste, Energy and Water (RAAEY). 

“With the completion of its first electricity storage project, Helleniq Energy is taking another decisive step in implementing its strategy to build a strong power and renewables pillar, as an integrated Group with a strong presence across the full spectrum of energy activities,” said Helleniq Energy deputy CEO George Alexopoulos.

The company is also developing a second battery storage project in Florina, northern Greece, which will have a capacity of 50 MW / 200 MWh and is expected to be completed in the near future. 

Helleniq Energy aims to have 1.5 GW of renewable energy capacity in operation by 2028 and more than 2 GW by 2030. According to Helleniq Renewables CEO Sotiris Kapellos, the company has developed a renewables and battery storage portfolio exceeding 6 GW, with more than 700 MW already in operation.