/SOFIA, BULGARIA, September 9, 2025, 9:15 CEST, RENEWABLE MARKET WATCH™/ Contracts have been signed for a total of 6,000 MWh of installed battery capacity as part of the initiative aimed at developing a comprehensive national infrastructure for storing energy derived from renewable sources, known as the RESTORE program. This initiative is financially supported through the Bulgarian Recovery and Resilience Plan.
The details of these contracts were clarified during a recent parliamentary committee hearing, where Energy Minister Zhecho Stankov provided updates on the project’s progress and its significance for Bulgaria’s energy transition and sustainability goals.
Last week, a significant development occurred when contracts were finalised with all companies that had submitted the required documentation. This documentation included key components such as bank guarantees, evidence of initiated purchases for transformers, and the necessary building permits. In total, 70 contracts were successfully signed, marking a significant milestone in the project. According to Stankov, these contracts outline a timeline for completion, with all work expected to be finalised by the end of March 2026. This progress indicates a concerted effort by all parties involved to ensure timely delivery and implementation.
Funding varies according to the scale of the projects, with the systems having to be capable of providing services for both primary and secondary grid regulation. The initial target of 3,000 MWh has already been exceeded, the minister explained.
According to him, this is a prerequisite for securing the third payment under the Recovery Plan, with the funds expected to be received by March 2026. In his words, in addition to being home to the largest battery in Europe, Bulgaria will rank among the countries with the largest number of energy storage installations in the Southeast European region. Over the past six months, the cost of energy storage technologies has continued to decline, creating conditions for even better results.
State-owned companies can take advantage of the second part of the procedure – RESTORE 2 – and Minister Stankov has called on the management of the Bulgarian Energy Holding (BEH) to inform state-owned companies that wish to apply. For the second part of the tender procedure, please refer to this article: Bulgaria is Preparing to Launch a New Expansion Tender Procedure for a 1,900 MWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) Capacity Soon.
For a brief review about the key topics on the Bulgarian energy storage market, please access it here: Bulgaria Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) Market White Paper 2025
For more detailed information and answers to your questions about the Bulgarian energy storage market, a list of tender-winning projects for 2024/2025 YTD and their owners, and related content, you may read here: Bulgaria Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) Market Outlook 2025 – 2034
For a better understanding of the benefits of using our reports, you may read here: Benefit List – Reports of Renewable Market Watch – 2025
About Renewable Market Watch™
Renewable Market Watch™ is delivering strategic insight into emerging renewable energy markets through its experienced research team and cutting-edge predictive analytics data platform. We partner with our customers to provide research, data and consulting reports in areas appropriate to their specific requirements. Our primary focus is emerging renewable energy markets in Asia Countries, Western Europe, South Europe, Balkan countries, Central and Eastern Europe, CIS states (the former Soviet Union), LATAM countries, and MENA countries. For more information about Renewable Market Watch™, please visit:
