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August 27, 2025
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Turkish firm Astor Enerji to install 2 GWh of battery capacity at its solar projects in Romania

Swiss energy storage provider Energy Vault has signed an agreement to supply up to 2 GWh of battery capacity for the solar power projects of Turkey-based Astor Enerji in Romania. Astor Enerji, for its part, will provide transformers and high-voltage equipment for more than 1 GW of Energy Vault’s battery projects worldwide.

Astor Enerji recently entered the Romanian market through the acquisition of four photovoltaic projects with a total capacity of 279 MW, according to reports. The transactions, which require regulatory approval, were carried out in April through Astor Enerji’s Romanian subsidiary Astor RO Energy.

Astor Enerji has acquired 279 MW of solar projects in Romania

Under the global partnership agreement, Astor will receive battery energy storage systems (BESS) for the four grid-connected photovoltaic projects in Romania, with a total storage capacity of up to 2 GWh, according to a press release from Energy Vault.

Astor Enerji, for its part, will supply transformers and high-voltage equipment for Energy Vault’s BESS projects of over 1 GW overall, planned in the United States, Australia, and Europe.

Olcay Doğan, CFO of Astor Enerji, stated that Energy Vault’s innovative approach to energy storage makes it an ideal partner to support the Turkish company’s expansion into the battery sector.

According to Energy Vault’s chief revenue officer, Marco Terruzzin, the collaboration with Astor Enerji will help build the technology and supply chain capacity to meet surging power demand from artificial intelligence (AI) data centers and the rapid adoption of renewable energy.

Energy Vault has secured USD 300 million for BESS projects around the world

Energy Vault develops and deploys utility-scale energy storage solutions, including proprietary gravity-based storage, battery storage, and green hydrogen energy storage technologies. It recently announced a USD 300 million deal with an investment fund to finance the launch of a subsidiary that will develop, build, own, and operate energy storage assets, standalone or paired with generation facilities, around the world.

Astor Enerji supplies power transformers, distribution transformers, and high-voltage to medium-voltage switchgear to markets in Europe, Africa, Asia, and the United States.

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August 27, 2025
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German startup Voltfang turning used EV batteries into energy storage for solar, wind

German startup Voltfang has opened a plant to manufacture energy storage units for solar and wind from used electric vehicle batteries. The company says the facility is the largest of its kind in Europe, with annual output set to reach 250 MWh in 2026.

The plant in Aachen will produce second-life battery storage systems for commercial, industrial, and large-scale applications. Its annual output is planned to rise to 1 GWh by 2030.

The facility will assemble fridge-sized energy storage units that households and companies can use to store excess electricity generated by solar panels or wind turbines.

Voltfang’s batteries can be used by homes and businesses to store energy from solar or wind facilities

The plant employs around 100 people, and Voltfang claims it is the largest facility in Europe for repurposing lithium-ion batteries.

David Oudsandji, co-founder and managing director of Voltfang, said the company’s goal is to develop high-performance battery storage systems for German and European industry.

Voltfang hopes to turn a profit by next year, but Oudsandji noted that the supply of used EV batteries is still small, as most such vehicles are only a few years old.

The supply of used electric vehicle batteries is still limited

Another obstacle is that new batteries, mainly from China, are becoming increasingly efficient and affordable, while refurbishing old ones is a complex process.

On the other hand, it is more sustainable and helps create a circular economy and ensure energy independence, according to Oudsandji.

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August 27, 2025
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Agios Efstratios becomes Greece’s first energy-autonomous island

A hybrid energy project transforming Agios Efstratios into the first energy-autonomous island in Greece is in trial operation. The system consists of a wind turbine, solar power plant, batteries, electric boilers and a district heating network.

It is a benchmark for the non-interconnected islands that won’t be connected to the mainland grid with undersea power cables.

Agios Efstratios is no longer renowned only for its history and natural beauty. It is an example of energy autonomy and sustainability. The island, also known as Ai Stratis, became the first non-interconnected Greek island with a 100% electricity supply from renewables. And more.

A pioneering energy complex is in trial operation. Agios Efstratios, which has only some 250 permanent residents, is in a group of small islands undergoing transformation through projects launched at the national level and benefiting from European Union funding.

Terna Energy completed hybrid energy system in Agios Efstratios

The Centre for Renewable Energy Sources and Saving (CRES or KAPE), an independent public entity, is responsible for the endeavor, on behalf of the Municipality of Agios Efstratios. Terna Energy, owned by Masdar, is the contractor for the works in the small North Aegean island.

The new hybrid energy system includes a 900 kW Enercon E44 wind turbine and a solar power unit of 225 kW. Their combined annual output is estimated at above 3 GWh.

Excess electricity is stored. One unit is a Tesla Megapack battery energy storage system (BESS) of 1.25 MW in operating power and a two-hour duration. It means the capacity is 2.5 MWh. There is also an electric boiler facility of 1 MW with hot water storage tanks that can hold 500 cubic meters of water at 120 degrees Celsius. It corresponds to 25 MWh.

The district heating network in Agios Efstratios is four kilometers long. It will be tested in the winter.

An oil-fired generator operated by state-controlled Public Power Corp. (PPC) remains as backup. It can work alongside the hybrid power plant.

Greece is connecting many islands to mainland power grid

The solutions from Agios Efstratios can be applied in other islands or in microgrids, CRES noted and said residents are getting cheaper energy.

The government launched its Islands Decarbonization Fund last year, with financing from the European Investment Bank (EIB). Together they aim to provide at least EUR 1.6 billion, and mobilize total investments of EUR 3 billion to EUR 5 billion.

In the hot summer months, there are many non-interconnected islands that can’t meet their power demand, especially because of the tourist season. Some are also struggling with water supply, prompting the need for desalination, which requires electricity. They rely on fuel oil generators.

The country’s Independent Power Transmission Operator (IPTO or, in Greek, Admie) is investing in major interconnection projects. A link to the mainland grid has improved the living conditions in the Cyclades islands of Syros, Paros and Mykonos. Together with a project for the western part of the archipelago, the transmission system operator is planning subsea cables to the Dodecanese and the Northeast Aegean.

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August 27, 2025
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Applications for 2025 Female Leader in Sustainable Energy Award in Serbia opened

WISE Serbia, the Network of Women in Sustainable Energy, Climate Action, and Environment, under the auspices of the German development cooperation GIZ, announces the call for nominations for the 2025 Female Leader in Sustainable Energy Award. The call is intended for women who are professionally engaged in the energy and related sectors in the Republic of Serbia and who have demonstrated outstanding results in their careers. Application process is open until September 10.

The call for nominations for the 2025 Female Leader in Sustainable Energy Award aims to recognize women who, through their leadership, outstanding achievements, and vision, have demonstrated significant contribution to the sustainable development of the Serbia’s energy and related sectors, energy transition acceleration, improvement of energy efficiency, energy security, and safety, as well as the greater recognition of women in this field.

The Female Leader in Sustainable Energy award was established in 2023 by the Center for the Promotion of Sustainable Development, the founder of the WISE Serbia women’s network, under the auspices of the German development cooperation GIZ. The WISE Serbia network was established in 2018 and is among the first of its kind globally.

The recipient for the previous year, was Svetlana Cerović, Director of Specialized Financing at UniCredit Bank Serbia

The title of the Female Leader of Sustainable Energy has been awarded to several notable individuals. For 2023, the recipients are Dubravka Đedović Handanović, Minister of Mining and Energy in the Government of the Republic of Serbia; Maja Turković, Executive Vice President at CWP Global; and Ana Džokić, co-founder of the energy cooperative Elektropionir. The recipient for the previous year, 2024, was Svetlana Cerović, Director of Specialized Financing at UniCredit Bank Serbia.

Photo: GIZ’s Project Director Till Barmeier with the laureate, Svetlana Cerović from UniCredit Bank Serbia

“The Female Leader in Sustainable Energy Award is an opportunity to learn more about the achievements, initiatives, and enthusiasm of women who push boundaries through their engagement and contribution to sustainable energy. It is also an exceptional opportunity for networking and exchanging knowledge and experiences within the WISE initiative and beyond,” said Cerović.

Last year’s award winner invited all interested women to take part in this year’s award process and emphasized that she looks forward to future cooperation and joint initiatives.

Information about the Award competition

Women professionally engaged in the energy sector, climate action, or environmental protection in Serbia are eligible to apply, both citizens of Serbia and foreign nationals working in Serbia. The candidates themselves can submit applications, as well as their employers, colleagues, or teams who wish to highlight the outstanding achievements of their associates.

The pannel discussion at 2024 annual event of the WISE Serbia women’s network : pictured from left: Maja Turković, Ankica Babulov, Dušan Macura, Ana Džokić

The call is open to all profiles – decision-makers, employees in business, public enterprises, academia, civic energy, non-governmental sector, international organizations, consulting teams, legal and financial institutions, IT experts, as well as media representatives.

The call is open from August 25 to September 10.

The call for nominations for the Leader of Sustainable Energy is open from August 25 to September 10, 2025. The application needs to be emailed by September 10, 2025, to info@wisesrbija.org. It needs to include:

  1. Nomination letter presenting the candidate and listing the significant results and achievements, nominating her for the selection.
  2. Professional résumé.
  3. A short nomination statement to present the shortlisted candidate to the wider public (on the WISE Serbia website and social media platforms). The statement should be up to 100 words.
  4. Photo portrait in high resolution.
  5. Contact info – email address, phone number, social network accounts that the candidate is actively using.

Applications should be sent by email to info@wisesrbija.org.

After processing the submitted applications, the candidates’ profiles will be published on the WISE Serbia Network website – wisesrbija.org, and the voting will be open to the public. The candidate with the highest number of votes will be awarded the title of Leader in Sustainable Energy.

The announcement ceremony for the Leader in Sustainable Energy 2025 will take place during the WISE Serbia Women’s Network annual conference in mid-October in Belgrade.

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August 27, 2025
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Critics of Serbia’s draft mining strategy barred from public hearing

A public hearing on the draft Strategy for the Management of Mineral and Other Geological Resources in Serbia for the period 2025 to 2040, with projections until 2050, was held at the Serbian Chamber of Commerce. The document outlines a long-term approach to resource exploitation. A group of citizens, environmental activists, and experts critical of the draft held a protest after being denied entry to the event.

The draft Strategy for the Management of Mineral and Other Geological Resources in Serbia for the period 2025 to 2040, with projections until 2050 is a basis for the government’s decisions regarding geological exploration and mining.

Serbia is following European guidelines, including the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA), thereby building a system that supports investment predictability, responsible exploitation, and sustainable development, according to the Ministry of Mining and Energy.

The strategy was modeled after those of European countries

“We want our mining industry to be as developed as in Scandinavian countries. We also used Poland as an example, as it is most similar to us in terms of coal and copper production,” said Assistant Minister for Geology and Mining Ivan Janković.

Besides copper and coal, the strategy emphasizes non-metallic and geological resources like stone, sand, clay, and groundwater.

Public consultations on the draft strategy and the environmental report were held from June 13 to July 2. The public hearing was initially scheduled for July 1 but was postponed “in the interest of full transparency,” according to the ministry, to give all stakeholders sufficient time to submit comments and suggestions.

Environmental activists protest outside of venue

The draft strategy would serve the interest of mining companies while disregarding the needs of the country and its citizens, according to Nebojša Petković, an activist from a local group Ne damo Jadar in western Serbia, who spoke to FoNet news agency ahead of the public hearing. Conversely, Ivan Janković from the ministry denied the claim, arguing that the strategy was created solely in Serbia’s interest.

Environmental activists, citizens, and experts gathered in protest outside the venue after being denied entry, despite registering for attendance. Among them were Dragana Đorđević from the Institute of Chemistry, Technology and Metallurgy, and Zoran Stevanović, retired hydrogeology professor from the Faculty of Mining and Geology. He said the ministry scheduled the hearing only one day in advance, adding that the critics were told there is no room for more people even though they applied as soon as they saw the notice.

The strategy prioritizes mining over nature

Professor Stevanović told N1 that the strategy proposes three levels of investment, with the most intensive scenario involving USD 6.8 billion in foreign investments in mining. In his view, it would lead to an enormous expansion of such activity.

The strategy mustn’t prioritize mining in spatial planning over protected natural zones, even ones with vital water resources, Stevanović underscored.

He also criticized linking exploration with future exploitation, pointing out that the government wouldn’t be able to compete in tenders through public bidding. Stevanović added that Serbia has experts capable of conducting in-depth studies on ores for the benefit of citizens, instead of exporting raw materials.

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August 27, 2025
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PPC launches first tender for pumped storage hydropower plant in former lignite mine

Greek Public Power Corporation (PPC or DEI) is moving forward with a pumped storage hydroelectric project at the site of its former open pit lignite mine Kardia, in a coal region in Western Macedonia.

The government-controlled power utility is seeking a design, supply, construction and commissioning contractor.

PPC announced that another tender would take place as part of the EUR 430 million project, for the ground works and civil engineering.

The criteria are strict. The company said eligible firms have completed at least one pumped storage hydropower station in the European Union within the last ten years, with a capacity of at least 70 MW and a water head of 90-450 meters. Alternatively, the requirement is at least three facilities of the same size in the last 20 years.

Interested parties can submit their proposals until October 20.

PPC’s project in Kardia received an environmental license in May from the Ministry of Environment and Energy. According to the document, there would be one upper and one lower reservoir with tunnels and a 400 kV substation. The ministry approved an “average” 130 MW capacity with an eight-hour duration, and a “maximum” of 148 MW, without defining the two features.

However, the tender sets the capacity at 320 MW, consisting of four 80 MW reversible turbines.

Apart from Kardia, PPC is planning a pumped storage hydropower system in the South Field lignite mine of Kozani, also in the country’s north, with a capacity of 227 MW and a budget of EUR 310 million. The project has also received an environmental license.

The company unveiled a EUR 5.8 billion investment program in April for both coal regions in Greece. It includes 300 MW of battery storage, 2.1 GW in photovoltaics and a 300 MW data center.

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