The guide for financing standalone BESS projects has officially entered the public consultation phase, with the estimated deadline for submitting comments and proposals set for June 5, 2026. The launch of the competitive call is expected in Q3 2026, while the project submission window is currently estimated between July 1 and August 31, 2026.

The current version of the documentation confirms a more flexible eligibility framework than the market initially anticipated, creating favorable conditions both for projects already in advanced stages of development and for those still at an early stage.

We are estimating a financing potential of 3–4 GWh of storage capacity through this call, a volume that could cover a significant share of the flexibility and balancing needs of Romania’s national power system.

Estimated timeline

Key parameters of the call:

• • Estimated total budget: EUR 150 million
• • Targeted capacity: minimum 2,174 MWh
• • Maximum grant: EUR 69,000/MWh installed
• • State aid cap: EUR 15 million per undertaking/single beneficiary,
  regardless of the number of projects submitted
• • Maximum financing intensity: up to 100% of eligible costs
• • Minimum eligible power capacity: 1 MW Minimum energy-to-power ratio: 2:1

 What the guide confirms

Among the clarifications with direct impact on project structuring are:

• • Eligibility of standalone storage installations connected to transmission or distribution grids, regardless of voltage level
• • Projects already under development are eligible: the grid connection permit (ATR) and environmental approval are required only at the first reimbursement request, not at the application submission stage
• • Eligibility of standalone battery systems with an individual grid connection permit, not connected under the same metering point as a generation capacity
• • Removal of the obligation to demonstrate exclusive storage of energy generated from renewable sources
• • Possibility to start construction works after submitting the financing application
• • Participation of storage installations in the day-ahead market, intraday markets, ancillary services, and redispatching mechanisms
• • Operationalization of the pre-financing mechanism and multiple reimbursement/payment requests, in accordance with the provisions of GEO no. 60/2022
• • Possibility to use the payment request mechanism, subject to full payment of the beneficiary’s own contribution and settlement of invoices towards suppliers, service providers, or contractors within 10 working days from receiving the funds transferred by the Ministry of Energy
• • Absence of restrictive financial guarantees at submission stage, similar to the CfD mechanism

One essential element for project competitiveness during the evaluation process: the technical and economic scoring grid favors projects requesting a lower level of state aid per installed MWh. Optimized CAPEX, efficient financial structuring, and a strong equity contribution will translate directly into a competitive advantage during evaluation.

Eligible costs

Eligible expenditures include construction and installation works, assembly, technological equipment, operational assets, intangible assets, and site organization costs. Consultancy costs, project management, studies, permitting, financial audit, financing expenses, VAT, and general administrative overheads are excluded from financing. All projects must fully comply with the DNSH principle throughout the entire investment lifecycle, including execution, operation, and decommissioning phases.

 The market is entering a new phase

The publication of the guide shifts competition away from administrative eligibility and toward actual execution capacity and financial structuring quality. In practice, the differentiator will be developers capable of advancing bankable projects quickly, supported by credible revenue scenarios and commercial strategies adapted to the dynamics of balancing markets, energy arbitrage, and ancillary services.

For BESS projects, the grant represents only the first layer of the investment equation. Long-term viability will depend on how variables such as CAPEX, battery degradation, cost of capital, grid connection timing, and merchant revenue exposure are integrated into the business model. At the same time, the ability to build efficient revenue stacking strategies becomes essential for sustaining investment returns beyond the implementation phase. In this context, the market is increasingly distinguishing between projects capable of securing financing and projects capable of delivering long-term economic performance.