Galp and Powin join forces for a major energy storage project in Portugal

Portuguese multinational energy corporation, Galp, and US-based energy storage system provider, Powin LLC, (Powin) have partnered to install a 5MW/20MWh utility-scale battery energy storage system (BESS) at Galp's solar power plant near Alcoutim, in the southern region of the Algarve in Portugal.

Galp already operates several projects in the region with a combined capacity of 144MW, and this partnership marks Galp's maiden move in the hybridization of its solar power production portfolio. As for Powin, Alcoutim marks its inaugural project in Europe which could pave the way for Powin to emerge as a leading supplier of energy storage solutions in the growing market.

"This particular project with Galp is bigger than its MW impact – it is the beginning of a new partnership and is Powin's first project in Europe following the opening of our Madrid office. Europe is expected to deploy over 90 GWh of utility-scale battery energy storage projects by 2030, and we are well positioned to support this demand along with the wider EMEA region's rapid energy storage growth," said Powin CEO, Jeff Waters.

The large-scale batteries installed at the site will enable Galp to store the solar energy produced in periods of high generation and deploy it during periods of high demand, maximizing the energy's value.

"As Galp keeps growing its renewable energy capacity aiming to transform its industrial base to produce green fuels and sell renewable energy to its clients, storage solutions are key to ensure a steady supply of electrons to our businesses," said Georgios Papadimitriou, Galp's executive director in charge of Renewables, New Business, and Innovation. "Batteries also add to the competitiveness of our renewable energy portfolio by making solar and wind power available when they are most needed," he added.

Galp is one of the largest producers of PV solar energy in the Iberian peninsula with 1.5GW capacity projects in operations.