Galp, Portugal’s leading integrated energy company, and Powin, a global energy storage integrator based in the United States, have successfully completed the commissioning of a utility-scale battery energy storage system at Galp’s largest solar power plant in Portugal.
The system, located near Alcoutim in the southern Algarve region, has already delivered its first stored energy to the grid. This marks a significant milestone for both companies, as it is Powin’s first project in Europe and an important step in enhancing the flexibility and reliability of renewable energy dispatch in the region.
Georgios Papadimitriou, Galp’s Executive Vice-President of Renewables, New Business, and Innovation, said in a statement, “We are leaping ahead in the learning curve, managing complex energy systems and offering a new range of services and opportunities to customers, while contributing to a stable and sustainable energy system.”
Brian Kane, Chief Projects Officer at Powin, stated, “This project represents a critical step in Powin’s journey as we expand internationally to meet the growing demand for energy storage solutions in Europe. By partnering with forward-thinking organizations like Galp and leveraging high-performance converter technology from Hitachi Energy, we’ve demonstrated our ability to deliver reliable and innovative solutions that help decarbonize the grid.”
The newly installed battery energy storage system has a capacity of 5 MW/20 MWh and plays a crucial role in strengthening the site’s ability to supply renewable energy to the grid when it is most needed. By optimizing grid stability, the project supports the expanding market for grid system services in Portugal. The solar plants in the Alcoutim region, with a combined capacity of 144 MW, generate enough electricity to power approximately 80,000 homes while helping to avoid 75,000 tons of CO2 emissions each year, contributing significantly to the country’s climate goals.
Alberto Prieto, Head of Power Conversion Solutions for Hitachi Energy, mentioned, “We appreciate the ongoing relationship with Powin and Galp. Our converters remain the prime choice for IPPs and integrators seeking grid stability and flexibility, along with digital enablement for operations and business processes for a more sustainable and secure grid.”
The battery system uses Powin’s Centipede Stack750 technology along with a power conversion system supplied by Hitachi Energy. This collaboration highlights the importance of partnerships between global companies in advancing Europe’s energy transition and achieving greater integration of renewable energy sources.
Galp, already one of the leading producers of photovoltaic solar energy in the Iberian Peninsula, continues to expand its renewable energy portfolio with 1.5 GW of installed renewable generation capacity and plans to add an additional 400 MW of renewable capacity by 2026. This project further strengthens Galp’s commitment to supporting a cleaner and more sustainable energy future.
