At the Isalnita photovoltaic construction site in Dorj County, Romania, the first batch of photovoltaic modules have just been lifted and the EPC contract for the supporting energy storage system has been officially signed. OMV Petrom announced on September 11, 2026 that it will build a 20MW/40MWh battery energy storage system to support this 89MWp wholly-owned photovoltaic power station. The project will be undertaken by local enterprise Simtel Team and is expected to be delivered within 7 months.

In 2026, Romania's photovoltaic installed capacity will grow by 45% against the trend, with a total energy storage capacity of nearly 2000MWh nationwide. The implementation of this project is a landmark move by Eastern European energy giants to accelerate their transition to the new energy track.

Complete the delivery of integrated optical storage in 7 months

Isalnita is the first large-scale photovoltaic project wholly owned by OMV Petrom. After the signing of the supporting energy storage system, the project will form a complete photovoltaic storage collaborative operation architecture.

The group currently operates an 860MW Brazi combined cycle natural gas power plant and is simultaneously promoting over 1200MW of renewable energy projects under construction. The energy storage asset layout covers Romania and Bulgaria, with the Gabare energy storage project in Bulgaria reaching a scale of 600MWh. The regional cross-border energy storage collaborative network is gradually taking shape. This EPC contract is fully undertaken by local Romanian enterprises, and the local engineering supply chain is deeply involved in the construction of large-scale energy storage projects, directly driving the upgrading of regional energy engineering industry chain capabilities.

Refineries synchronously promote green upgrading

Just a few days before the official announcement of this energy storage project, OMV Petrom announced an investment of 115 million euros to upgrade the electrical infrastructure of the Petrobrazi refinery, preparing for the production of sustainable aviation fuel SAF, hydrogenated renewable diesel HVO, and green hydrogen facilities. Traditional refining capacity no longer relies solely on fossil fuels, but connects with local green power and energy storage resources through electrification transformation, creating a feasible path for low-carbon transformation of high energy consuming industrial facilities and providing clear reference for the green transformation of traditional energy enterprises in Eastern Europe.

From the landing of integrated photovoltaic and energy storage power stations, to the layout of cross-border energy storage networks, and to the electrification upgrade of refining facilities, OMV Petrom is rapidly restructuring the energy asset map of Romania and even the Eastern European region through a series of solid investments, and also providing a key sample for the European new energy transformation in the Eastern European sector.Editor/Cheng Liting