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EUNICE ENERGY GROUP (EEG) proceeds with the implementation of two major energy storage projects in Ptolemaida and Megalopoli

Production licenses for the PTOLEMAIDA BESS and ARCADIA BESS projects by EUNICE ENERGY GROUP (EEG) have been approved by the Energy Regulatory Authority (RAE).

The Greek EUNICE ENERGY GROUP (EEG) announces that the issuance of production licenses has been approved by the Energy Regulatory Authority (RAE) and is moving on to immediately implement its two emblematic projects for rapid response energy storage.

The energy projects, of over 600 million euros investment, are characterized by Greek added value and know-how, European significance and global technological value.

EEG’s new project comprises two large-scale energy storage stations, one in the wider area of Ptolemaida (Western Macedonia) and one in the area of Megalopoli (Arcadia, Peloponnese), with the designations “Ptolemaida Battery Energy Storage System” (PTOLEMAIDA BESS) and “Arcadia Battery Energy Storage System” (ARCADIA BESS), respectively.
According to the plans laid out by the EEG Group, the construction of the two large-scale energy storage stations will start in 2021 and will be fully operational by 2022, provided that the remaining procedures (terms of environmental permits, connection conditions and construction permits) are completed in time without the usual stumbling blocks.

The two projects in Ptolemaida and Megalopoli, each with similar capacity of 250MW/1000MWh, constitute flagship investments ushering in the new era of transformation of Greece and Europe in terms of development, economy and energy, given that:

  • They contribute decisively to the development of the national economy on the one hand, promoting extroversion and international co-operations in technology and investments, and local economies and employment on the other. The experienced workforces available in the two areas are to participate in all phases of the construction and operation of the projects, providing specialized knowledge and services for the smooth development and operation of the projects.
  • They promote the role of Greece and the European South as an energy hub, increasing the opportunities for participation in the regional and European energy market.
  • They implement the Just Transition Development Plan (SDAM), in full synergy with the strategic goal of delignitization promoted by the country and the European Union. It should be noted that the PTOLEMAIDA BESS project has been announced by the Greek government and the Ministry of Environment and Energy as one of the first 16 emblematic delignitization investments, it has been pre-approved as a project of SDAM for Lignite Areas, and has already been positively evaluated by the competent Technical Committee.
  •  They are at the forefront of the international vanguard in the field of large-scale energy storage by utilizing lithium-ion battery technology, which ensures high reliability, fast response times and competitive costs for effective participation in the market.
  • They ensure 100% domestic added value, both during construction and operation. The lithium battery and all other subsystems are produced domestically. Already, in the region of Western Macedonia, business expansions are being made for the production of Li-ion battery technology. In summary, the two projects will consist of the following equipment and subsystems:
    • Battery arrays housed in prefabricated cubicles (containers)
    • Power converters
    • Step-up transformers
    • Substation for grid connection
    • Auxiliary equipment (wiring, communication systems, cooling systems etc.)
  •  They are projects of European interest, which has significant benefits to the licensing and financing process. It shall be noted that at a European level, in November 2020, the PTOLEMAIDA BESS project was submitted, evaluated and included in the new version of the Europe’s Ten-Year Network Development Plan (TYNDP 2020) by ENTSO-e. Subsequently, in December 2020, it was submitted and is now a candidate project for inclusion in the 5th list of Projects of Common Interest (PCI) of the European Commission for the year 2021.
  • They ensure the optimal use of the existing high voltage networks in the areas where the two storage stations will be built, maintaining their energy identity, despite the decommissioning of the conventional lignite units.
  •  They increase the capacity for development of RES stations and the flexibility of the electricity grid as a whole.
  • They reduce energy costs and shield the system adequacy.
  • They provide the network with a number of ancillary services, such as the provision of primary and secondary frequency and voltage backup, as well as voltage stabilization and reactive power control.
  • They contribute to the diversification of the energy mix and energy security at a national and cross-border level.
  • They participate with absolute success in the 4 markets (forward, day ahead, intraday, balancing) of the target model.
  • They fully operate within the electricity market through the Greek interconnected system, while providing significant support to it.
  • They have zero environmental footprint during construction and operation, while each of the two projects requires an area of up to 25 acres on terrains that are highly burdened by the lignite mining of Ptolemaida and Megalopoli for its development. In terms of landscaping, neither project requires anything that would exceed the requirements for the development of a photovoltaic project of 5MW.

The Greek EUNICE ENERGY GROUP (EEG) invests, innovates, participates and develops synergies in the frontline of the European and international technological and investment initiatives of energy transition. With specific projects in the field of energy innovation, Greek know-how and added value, it implements national and European goals, reducing the carbon footprint and supporting the dynamic development of production and storage projects for RES energy.