Econergy Renewable Energy has started commercial operations at the 59 MW Iancu Jianu solar plant in Romania. The project adds to the country’s operational photovoltaic capacity and supports the company’s solar-plus-storage approach. It is the fifth grid-connected solar facility developed by Econergy in Romania.
Following commissioning, Econergy’s Romanian portfolio of projects connected to the grid or ready for connection totals 743 MW. A further 861 MW is currently under construction in the country. The Iancu Jianu site is also planned to be developed as a combined solar-and-storage installation.
Iancu Jianu battery storage schedule and configuration
Econergy plans to install a 35 MW/70 MWh battery energy storage system at the Iancu Jianu site during the second quarter of 2027. The configuration provides a storage duration of two hours. This will enable electricity produced by the solar plant to be shifted away from periods when it would otherwise be sold exclusively during peak solar-generation hours.
The battery is also intended to create additional participation opportunities in balancing markets and during periods of high electricity demand. The project’s storage element aligns with changes in Romania’s renewable power profile as solar generation increases. This has been associated with wider gaps between low-priced daytime periods and higher-value evening hours.
European pipeline and planned replication of the model
Econergy said it expects batteries to reduce exposure to price cannibalisation while adding revenue opportunities beyond direct electricity sales. The company plans to apply a similar solar-plus-storage model across other European projects as it looks to diversify revenue streams. Econergy’s European development pipeline currently exceeds 12.5 GW.
The pipeline spans Romania, the United Kingdom, Italy, Germany, Poland, Spain and Greece. In that context, Iancu Jianu is positioned as an expansion of Econergy’s Romanian portfolio and an example of the integrated renewable generation and storage model planned for its wider European programme.
