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May 15, 2025
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CWP Europe signs PPA, CfD for its Solarina PV project with Serbia’s EPS

CWP Europe signed a power purchase agreement (PPA), including balancing responsibility, and a contract for difference (CfD) for its Solarina photovoltaic project, with Serbia’s state-owned power utility Elektroprivreda Srbije (EPS).

Solarina is a special purpose vehicle or SPV for a photovoltaic park of 150 MW in connection capacity. Its site is near the city of Zaječar in eastern Serbia. The developer, CWP Europe, won a CfD in February for 105 MW at the country’s second solar power auction. All other projects were for 10 MW at most.

Executive Vice President of CWP Europe Maja Turković signed a PPA and the contracts for difference and balancing responsibility for Solarina with Assistant to CEO of EPS for Power Portfolio Management David Žarković.

Largest single PPA ever signed for solar power with EPS

The agreement marks a major milestone in Serbia’s energy transition – it is the largest single PPA ever signed for a solar project with EPS, Turković pointed out. “We thank the Ministry of Mining and Energy and EPS for their trust and another opportunity to jointly contribute to a more stable and greener energy future for Serbia,” she added.

CWP Europe has a project pipeline of more than 10 GW in Southeastern Europe, Moldova and Ukraine

All green electricity generated by the Solarina solar park will be supplied to the domestic market at a competitive price, enhancing the stability and sustainability of the country’s energy supply, CWP Europe added. Of note, the CfD is for EUR 52.89 per MWh.

“The continuation of the cooperation confirms once more that EPS is a reliable partner and associate to everyone whose business activity involves green energy. In addition, this way we also confirm the joint dedication to Serbia’s energy transition and the development of renewable energy sources, as EPS will offtake all produced energy and it will remain in our country,” Žarković stated.

PPAs for projects Solarina, Vetrozelena are both for entire output

Serbia’s state-owned power utility has the same arrangement since 2023 for the Vetrozelena wind power project, which was developed by CWP Europe and also won market premiums, at the first round of renewable energy auctions. Both PPAs are for the entire output.

The company has a project portfolio of more than 10 GW in total for wind and solar power and battery energy storage systems in Serbia, Bulgaria, Romania, Montenegro, Albania, North Macedonia, Croatia, Moldova and Ukraine.

CWP is a silver sponsor of the two-day Belgrade Energy Forum – BEF 2025, which is starting tomorrow. Maja Turković will participate in the panel discussion ‘Energy revolution underway – uniting efforts to deliver green, intelligent and sustainable energy solutions’.

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May 14, 2025
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Electrohold Trade partners with TMH to optimize 2.5 GWh of battery storage in Bulgaria

Early next year, The Mobility House (TMH) is set to ramp up the aggregation of Electrohold’s energy assets in Bulgaria under a newly signed deal. It focuses on the planned 2.5 GWh in battery energy storage systems (BESS).

Electricity trading firm Electrohold Trade selected The Mobility House (TMH) to provide advanced aggregation and trading software. The solution will optimize the Bulgarian firm’s portfolio, enhance returns from its energy assets, and support the electricity system’s balance and stability, according to the announcement.

The subsidiary of Eurohold Bulgaria’s or Eurohold Group (Evrohold) manages a pool of photovoltaic assets and battery energy storage systems. The assets are expected to reach 1 GW and 2.5 GWh, respectively. The full commercial rollout is targeted to begin in the last quarter of 2025, with further rampup expected into early 2026, the company said.

TMH GOING Far beyond traditional feed-in models

Germany-based TMH is active since 2016. Electrohold Trade said it is leveraging the aggregator’s technology to commercialize energy storage systems and maximize returns on its solar power assets through advanced flexibility and intermittence trading – going far beyond traditional feed-in models.

TMH stressed that Electrohold’s energy storage initiative is the largest in Europe.

Colocation project with signaling impact

A defining feature of the initiative is its colocation concept, where battery storage systems are installed directly adjacent to solar parks. It enables optimal utilization of both assets, the companies said. By directly linking them, the fluctuating output of renewable energy can be more effectively managed – enhancing grid stability while minimizing the need for expensive grid expansions.

It not only results in improved grid flexibility, but also contributes to the grid’s better balancing, the update reads. The project positions battery storage systems as a central element in Bulgaria’s future energy landscape, leveraging advanced algo trading software and innovative incentive structures to unlock the full potential of renewable integration, the partners added.

“By strategically employing colocation solutions and the latest technology, we are creating a platform that is not only economically attractive but also significantly enhances the technical resilience of the Bulgarian power grid at lower costs,” said Eurohold Bulgaria’s Chair of the Supervisory Board Assen Christov.

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May 14, 2025
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Construction starting in second phase of giant PV plant in Peloponnese coal land

Terna won the contract for the construction of the second of the three parts of a 490 MW solar park in Megalopolis, on former lignite mines. Public Power Corp. – PPC Group said the third phase would begin next year.

The second phase of the construction of a 490 MW photovoltaic plant in Megalopolis is beginning, transforming former lignite sites in the Peloponnese peninsula into a green energy hub. PPC Group’s subsidiary PPC Renewables signed an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract for 125 MW on 49.4 hectares with Terna, part of the GEK Terna conglomerate.

The first phase, 125 MW, is under construction. PPC intends to complete it by the end of the year. It expects to begin building the third phase, 240 MW, in 2026.

Bifacial panels to be on fixed structures

The second part entails 215,000 bifacial solar panels on fixed structures. The facility would be connected to the Megalopoli Ultra High Voltage Substation via a new high voltage substation at the Neo Choremi site.

The entire 490 MW would generate an estimate 860 GWh per year, the announcement reads. It is equivalent to the electricity needs of 215,000 households. The projected output would prevent carbon dioxide emissions of 430,000 tons per year.

PPC already has a 50 MW photovoltaic plant in Megalopolis, the smaller of the two coal regions in Greece.

Replicating solar makeover from Western Macedonia

Deputy Chief Executive Officer of PPC Group and CEO of PPC Renewables Konstantinos Mavros compared the project in the Peloponnese to the ones in coal land in Western Macedonia in the country’s north. Just like in Ptolemaida, the Megalopoli photovoltaic plant is going to replace the the production of electricity from coal and ensure the historic continuity of the area’s role in energy supply, he pointed out.

The utility’s three-year strategic plan for the period through 2027 is to install 5.6 GW more from renewables in Greece and Southeastern Europe, reaching 11.8 GW in the segment. PPC said it is also looking to expand its portfolio with new technologies such as offshore wind power and floating photovoltaics, also known as floatovoltaics.

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May 14, 2025
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Romania launches renewables auction for 3.5 GW

Following a successful first round, in which developers won government support for projects of 1.53 GW altogether, the Romanian Ministry of Energy issued another call, for 3.47 GW of wind and solar power capacity. The deadline for submissions is July 11.

The Ministry of Energy of Romania issued a public call for the second round of auctions under a mechanism for awarding contracts for difference (CfDs). With EUR 3 billion at hand, via the European Union’s Modernisation Fund, the country is supporting an overall 5 GW of wind and solar power capacity.

Developers can apply by July 11 for the remaining quotas of 2 GW for wind parks and 1.47 GW for photovoltaic facilities. In the first round, 21 participants won the subsidies for 1.1 GW and 432 MW, respectively.

Romania cuts ceiling prices

Ceiling prices for government support are lower this time. Wind power is at EUR 80 per MWh or EUR 2 per MWh under the previous maximum possible bid. The authorities slashed the cap for solar power to EUR 73 per MWh from EUR 78 per MWh.

The contracts for difference would last 15 years. The burden of administrative and electricity transmission expenses is passed on to consumers.

More leeway for large players as they are no longer limited to 25% of quota

Another difference is that the 25% cap on the maximum capacity awarded per applicant was scrapped, the documentation shows. In addition, there is a possibility to award up to 20% more capacity than in the nominal quota. Minister of Energy Sebastian Burduja explained that the idea is to avoid the risk of losing a large project with a marginal bid.

He noted that Radramo Power is developing the largest wind power project from the first auction, 245 MW. The Heliowin project, for 125 MW, is the biggest one in the PV segment. It belongs to Israeli company Econergy. Both proposed facilities will launch production by January 28, according to the schedule.

In the first phase, applicants will qualify with their technical offers. The plan is to open financial bids from eligible entities on August 13, and the winners would have until September 9 to sign the contracts. Romania’s transmission system operator Transelectrica has the task to evaluate the applications.

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May 13, 2025
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Citizens, activists in Bulgaria oppose wind farm project that would destroy forest

In the municipality of Avren in Bulgaria, citizens and activists will gather on May 18 to express their opposition to a plan to build a wind farm with 29 turbines, which implies the clearing of 30 hectares of forest.

The eastern Bulgarian municipality of Avren is home to valuable forest ecosystems and it lies along one of the most important bird migration routes in Europe – the Via Pontica. A local forest protection initiative, which is organizing a protest on May 18 against a wind farm project, said the decision to change the forest land designation was made without public consultation or an environmental impact assessment, arguing it was against the law.

The said natural resources are of both national and international importance for biodiversity conservation and maintaining the ecological balance of the Black Sea region, protest organizers claim. Although the wind farm project may appear green at first glance, the construction of 29 turbines would require cutting down 30 hectares of forest, they warned. Moreover, the project is located near protected areas within the Natura 2000 network and intersects a key migratory route for birds.

Nearly 9,000 citizens have signed a petition calling for a moratorium on projects affecting forests

Almost 9,000 citizens have signed a petition demanding a moratorium on all projects affecting forests in the area until a comprehensive assessment of cumulative environmental impacts is conducted. They are calling for the suspension of the procedure to amend the general urban development plan and for halting the project, which they deem illegal and harmful to both nature and people.

They are demanding a full and independent environmental impact assessment, including a compatibility evaluation with Natura 2000, the organization of a transparent public debate involving the local community, scientists, and environmentalists, as well as to consider alternative locations outside of sensitive ecological zones.

On the other hand, the company developing the project claims the turbines would be equipped with thermal cameras and sensors to detect approaching birds, and that the wind turbines would automatically shut down if necessary. It added that the minimum distance from residential areas would be between 850 and 1,200 meters, in line with regulations.

The local authority supports the wind farm project. Mayor Emanuel Manolov said about fifty jobs would be created and that the local budget would receive between EUR 1 million and EUR 1.5 million annually.

A protest was also held in Kyustendil against wind and solar projects in nearby mountain areas

Citizens of the Kyustendil municipality have also voiced their opposition to wind turbines. On April 30, a protest was held in Kyustendil against the construction of a wind farm on Osogovo mountain and the expansion of a solar power plant on the Konjavska mountain. The municipal leadership and assembly have supported the citizens’ demands.

Bulgarian citizens have been fighting wind turbines for over a decade

Since 2012, no new wind farms have been put into operation in Bulgaria, mainly due to administrative barriers and legal uncertainty. Late last year, citizens from four districts – Dobrich, Silistra, Shumen, and Varna – protested in Varna, demanding a referendum on the construction of solar and wind power plants on agricultural land.

Earlier, the municipal assembly of Dobrichka (also known as Dobrich-selska – Dobrich rural) voted to ban the conversion of agricultural land into construction land for wind farms. A similar decision was made by the local parliament in General Toshevo. German company wpd plans to install wind turbines in both municipalities.

In 2023, authorities in Vetrino blocked CWP’s massive wind energy project. That same year, a draft law on offshore wind power in Bulgaria sparked opposition from fishermen, the tourism industry, nongovernmental organizations, and local authorities in the coastal city of Varna and its surroundings. It contributed to the fall of the government at the time, and the legislative process didn’t get far.

Citizens in other countries covered by Balkan Green Energy News are also resisting wind power projects. Last year, residents of several villages near Livno in Bosnia and Herzegovina managed to halt the planned construction of the Orlovača wind farm. Around the same time in Serbia, the Ministry of Environmental Protection issued nature protection conditions that prevented the construction of the Čestobrodica wind farm.

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May 13, 2025
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Blackout in Spain, Portugal started with 2,200 MW power production loss

The recent blackout in Spain and Portugal started with the loss of electricity production in power plants with a total capacity of 2,200 MW in the south of Spain, according to an update from the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity (ENTSO-E).

ENTSO-E published the sequence of relevant events from the incident on April 28, which caused a total blackout in Spain and Portugal. The system was fully restored after 16 hours. A small area in France, close to the border with Spain, was also affected by the incident, albeit for a very limited duration, the organization said.

At the end of 2024, Spain’s installed capacity for electricity production was 129 GW or 129,000 MW.

It was one of the most serious incidents so far, on a European scale, and the second one in just ten months in the Continental European Synchronous Area, formerly known as UCTE. It includes most of the European Union as well as Turkey and Southeastern Europe. The first blackout, in the Balkans, occurred on June 21 last year.

ENTSO-E and its member transmission system operators (TSOs), the EU Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER), national regulatory authorities (NRAs), and regional coordination centers (RCCs) have set up a joint expert panel to investigate the event.

During the half hour before the incident, two periods of power and frequency swings were observed in the Continental European Synchronous Area

The blackout was the result of a complex sequence of events, ENTSO-E said. It published a preliminary chronology.

During the half hour before the incident, two periods of power and frequency swings were observed in the Continental European Synchronous Area, between 12:03 and 12:07 and between 12:19 and 12:21, respectively.

“The TSOs of Spain (Red Electrica) and France (RTE) took actions to mitigate these oscillations. At the moment of the incident, there were no oscillations and the power system variables were within normal operation range,” the update reads.

Data so far has yielded the following sequence of events during the incident:

  1. Starting at 12:32:57 and within 20 seconds afterwards, presumably a series of different generation trips were registered in the south of Spain, accounting for an initially estimated total of 2,200 MW. No generation trips were observed in Portugal and France. As a result, the frequency decreased and a voltage increase is observed in Spain and Portugal.
  2. Between 12:33:18 and 12:33:21, the frequency of the Iberian Peninsula power system continued to decrease, touching 48 hertz. The automatic load shedding defense plans of Spain and Portugal were activated.
  3. At 12:33:21, the alternating current overhead lines between France and Spain were disconnected by protection devices against loss of synchronism.
  4. At 12:33:24, the Iberian electricity system collapsed completely, and the high-voltage direct current (HVDC) lines between France and Spain stopped transmitting power.

As soon as the disruption of the electricity supply occurred, the affected TSOs worked together in a coordinated effort to restore power in the affected region of France, as well as in Spain and Portugal.

The restoration process in Spain was finished at 4:00 on April 29

The restoration process started at 12:44 on April 28 and finished at 4:00 the following night. The restoration of the system was initiated by a black start of hydropower plants in Spain and Portugal.

The restoration process of the transmission grid in Portugal was completed at 00:22, data showed.

According to ENTSO-E, the investigation will be split into two phases. First, the panel would collect and analyze all available data on the incident to reconstruct the events of April 28 and determine the causes of the blackout. The insights would be completed and published in a factual report.

In the second phase, for the final report, the panel is tasked with establishing recommendations to help prevent similar incidents.

ENTSO-E was also in charge of the investigation of the Balkans blackout. The organization published the final report in March.

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