Finland’s largest BESS to date will need to cope with “especially challenging” operating conditions and stringent and evolving grid code requirements.

It’s been a busy few weeks in the run-up to Christmas in Europe’s BESS project space, with M&A, final investment decisions (FID) and supplier deals in Germany, Belgium, Portugal, Italy, Finland, Romania and the UK totally around 800MW of capacity.

Renewable energy companies Akuo Energy and Voltalia have begun constructing projects in French overseas territories.

Trade association Energy Storage Europe (ESE) has welcomed proposed reforms to European Union (EU) grid connection and permitting processes.

The Ministry of the Environment in Poland has shortlisted projects for an energy storage capex support programme totalling 4.15 billion PLN (c.€1 billion), with 183 eligible to progress to the next round.

A trio of large-scale BESS announcements by major power firms of 700-800MWh capacity each in Germany show the country’s energy storage market moving into the new era of scale.

The recent introduction of 15-minute settlement periods across European power markets could result in significantly higher profits for battery storage asset operators.

NHOA Energy has secured contracts from Engie for an 80MW/320MWh BESS at Engie’s Drogenbos power station, near Brussels, Belgium.

Cell manufacturing overcapacity and intense competition contributed to an 8% decline in the average cost of lithium-ion battery packs, according to BloombergNEF.

The UK’s National Energy System Operator (NESO) will offer grid connection offers up to 2035 to 283GW of projects following a reform of the process.